A Life Plan Community…Thinking Ahead

Selling a home that’s been loved and lived in for decades requires organization and planning. Part of that planning should include avoiding another move down the road. The best way to ensure that you or your family member only has to move once is to find the right community. It’s important to choose a community that’s the right fit today and can also be the right fit tomorrow and beyond.

Eastcastle Place offers endless benefits for residents: a beautiful and historic community in a desirable neighborhood; professional, caring and friendly staff; and life-enhancing amenities, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, on-site pool, and fabulous dining. But one huge benefit of our community might not be as obvious. Eastcastle Place is a Life Plan Community, which makes it a one-stop-shop for senior living.

What is the definition of a Life Plan Community?

A Life Plan Community is a type of senior housing and care arrangement designed to provide a continuum of care services to older adults. The primary distinguishing feature of a Life Plan Community is that it offers a range of housing options and care services all on one campus, enabling residents to transition between different levels of care as their needs change over time.

This provides seniors and their families with comfort and security, knowing that not only will they always be cared for should their health needs change, but they’ll also enjoy their golden years at a community that offers services, events and amenities such as dining options, fitness centers, recreational activities, and transportation services.

Life Plan Community vs. Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

While different terms, they are the same thing.  You’re truly making a plan for the rest of your life. The safety and security of a Life Plan Community can offer tremendous benefits to you and your family.

What are the costs of a Life Plan Community?

Residents typically pay a one-time entrance fee to move into independent living and an ongoing monthly fee to ensure access to higher levels of care on-site. The monthly fee also covers senior living home expenses, meal plans, and almost all services, amenities and community activities.

There are three different types of Life Plan Community contracts. Here at Eastcastle Place, we offer a Type B contract, so your entrance fee is lower than a Type A Life Care contract. As part of your contract, we offer you a $60,000 credit toward future care, if ever needed. Our affordability calculator can help with your planning as well. 

Additionally, our most popular contract option is the 90% Refundable Entrance Fee Residency Agreement, meaning you pay the entrance fee upfront, but then 90% is returned to whomever you designate. This provides the additional peace of mind that you have left your legacy for those you love.

What are the levels of care in a Life Plan Community?

Seniors enter a Life Plan Community through independent living. This is the initial stage where you’ll own a private apartment or cottage, and lead an active, independent life. You’ll also enjoy all the social events, activities and amenities offered. 

Higher levels of care at a Life Plan Community often include:

• Assisted living: As residents age and require more assistance with daily activities, they can move into an assisted living apartment within the same community. Assisted living services may include help with dressing, bathing, medication management, and more.
• Memory care: Some Life Plan Communities offer specialized memory care units for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
• Skilled nursing or rehabilitation: For those in need of more intensive medical care and supervision, skilled nursing facilities are available on-site. These provide 24/7 nursing care, rehabilitation services, and medical support. 

Eastcastle Place: A Life Plan Community

How do you prepare for the unknown? As a Life Plan Community, Eastcastle Place is fortunate to have a variety of living options that are available and accessible as your long-term needs evolve. In addition to independent living, we provide assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, and skilled care, all under one roof.

Today you might thrive on independence, build friendships with other residents, and take full advantage of all the Eastcastle Place amenities. Our residents appreciate the lifestyle, location, and opportunities to socialize, which are just a daily part of life here. But your care needs (or your loved one’s care needs) may be very different in a year, or five years, or 10 years. Living in a Life Plan Community offers peace of mind for how future care needs will be met and allows you to enjoy today knowing you have a plan in place. 

Eastcastle Place, managed by Life Care Services, is a nonprofit organization and a Life Plan Community that offers a Type B contract option. We invite you to come for a tour of our beautiful and historic community to see our lifestyle.