Comparing the value of a retirement community to living at home

Many people assume that aging in place at home will be the most cost-effective option for their retirement years. However, when they begin to look at the details and compare the value of living in a retirement community to the costs associated with remaining in their home, they are often surprised to learn that many retirement communities are more affordable than they originally thought. You may wonder how this is possible. Let’s take a look!

We’ve prepared a thoughtful guide for you to walk through this scenario. Simply click the link below to download your copy!

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A couple of years ago, perhaps ahead of its time, Westminster Village wholeheartedly embraced new technology with a focus on helping residents stay in touch with the world. So, when the pandemic hit earlier this year, the Life Plan Community serving Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley was ready, committed, and able to make sure seniors could stay connected—virtually.

“We believe retirement is about living the best life possible. Everyone craves connection, even when we’re forced to be apart,” says Kate Webster, Westminster Village Director of Marketing. “So, we’re leveraging technology. You could say we connect through tech to help retirees meet face-to-face with friends, family and neighbors—at least on screen.”

Westminster Village anticipated what experts now confirm. According to one recent Merrill Lynch study, nearly two-thirds (64%) of retirees are interested in home technologies such as video chat and interactive devices to help them connect with family and friends. Reports indicate they’re especially likely to embrace new technology when it simplifies their lives or adds connectedness.

“For us, realization sunk in when we began offering new residents SMART apartment packages two years ago. We found active retirees were carrying smartphones and tablets and wanted, in their own words, to ‘keep up with the times.’ Today’s savvy seniors are comfortable with evolving technology,” Webster explains. “So now, even when residents prefer to spend more time safely in their homes, we’re offering ways to help them tap into the Westminster Village community from the comfort and convenience of their couch.”

Westminster Village offers everything from instructor-led online exercise classes and menu planning discussions with Chef Matt via video to free webinars covering important topics ranging from healthy living to warning signs of Alzheimer’s. But arguably the most popular online feature has become Coffee Talk Tuesdays—open to both residents and the greater community of seniors in Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley.

Every Tuesday each month, Westminster Village offers an opportunity to meet virtually with others over a cup of coffee and an interesting, often enlightening, discussion. It’s not unusual to have dozens of people logged on to chat, so an agenda has been established.

▪    1st Tuesday Each Month: Inside Westminster Village. Employees and residents chat about ways to stay engaged, offering an inside look at community life.

▪    2nd Tuesday Each Month: Therapy Minutes. Physical therapists present tips and exercises for common aches and pains, plus tips for avoiding common accidents.

▪    3rd Tuesday Each Month: Back by Popular Demand. Particularly popular previous guests return to offer updates, news and plans for the weeks and months ahead.

▪    4th Tuesday Each Month: Around the Haute. Special guests from the city stop by virtually to discuss projects and events on the horizon for Terre Haute.

Westminster Village residents and the public are invited to review the schedule of upcoming events and to participate by registering on the website at WestminsterVillageIN.com under the News & Events tab.

“We want to be a resource for all seniors in the area. For us, it’s about keeping residents and older adults fulfilled. We know seniors are coping with a lot right now, and we’re here to help—whether they live at Westminster Village or in the greater community,” Webster explains.

For seniors who may be interested in making a move, Westminster Village wants those individuals to know they’re not alone. Others consider a transition to senior living even now a safe and smart choice. Research proves it.

Case in point: Westminster Village’s management partner, Life Care Services®, sent a survey to more than 21,000 individuals nationwide who were actively considering a move to a senior living community. Nearly two thirds (62%) of individuals surveyed responded the pandemic has had no impact on their desire to move into a senior living community or that the pandemic has actually increased their desire to move. Those who indicate an increased desire suggest they don’t want to be alone in their own homes and/or they want access to the available care and services a community offers.

To show how much Westminster Village cares about helping seniors, the Life Plan Community developed a WVCares savings program. From fee discounts to complimentary downsizing and moving packages, it’s all designed to reduce stress and increase peace of mind.

“Since concerns about COVID-19 arose, we’ve been offering virtual visits to Westminster Village for seniors and families who may be interested in independent living and assisted living as well as rehab services and skilled nursing,” says Webster. “All they have to do is call (812) 242-4600 to schedule an appointment. We can even discuss SMART apartments!”

When you hear the term “senior living community,” what does it mean to you? Think about or write down a few phrases that come to mind. Now…which of those are actually true?

It’s not unusual for people to have misconceptions about what living in a community is like, especially if they haven’t had much experience with one. That’s why we’ve compiled a helpful guide with five of the most common misconceptions, along with some facts that might just change the way you view your retirement living options.

Click here for your free copy and enjoy reading!

It can be hard to feel connected while staying apart…these tips can help!

Keeping apart from friends and family is important for staying healthy during this pandemic. But it’s not easy to do and can lead to feeling isolated. Isolation can be detrimental to your mental and physical well-being, so it’s even more important to stay connected with others right now.

Whether you’re sheltering in place in your house or a senior living community, we’ve put together some simple ways you can reach out to others and keep the connections strong with a helpful, downloadable guide.

Click this link for your copy!

Getting real value of out a virtual visit.

Congratulations! You’ve scheduled a virtual visit to one or more of the senior living communities you’re interested in. Now what? Visiting a community virtually is definitely different than doing so in person. So how should you be preparing so you’ll get a lot out of your visit?

We’ve put together some helpful tips as you get ready to go on your virtual journeys. From what you’ll need, to what to expect and, finally, great questions to have on hand, this guide will give you the confidence you need to get the most out of your virtual visits.

Click here to download your free guide now!

Five Key Questions About Short-term Rehab, Answered.

Each year thousands of people are directed to enter short-term rehabilitation facilities after a stay in the hospital as a way to help them recover from a serious illness or surgery. One of those people may be you or someone you love, and if you’ve had no prior experience, there’s a good chance you have lots of questions.  Below, we’ll take a look at five of the most common questions people have about short-term rehab.

What is short-term rehabilitation?

Let’s take care of the most basic question first. Short-term rehab provides around-the-clock medical care (including pain management and wound care) and consistent, continual access to professional therapy services to help patients recover and transition back to their homes and familiar routines as quickly as possible. When you’re in a short-term rehab center, you’ll typically be under the care of a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, nutritionists, therapists in various specialties of recovery, and social services team members.

What types of rehabilitation services do short-term rehab centers typically offer?

The five main services provided by short-term rehab facilities are occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, orthopedic rehabilitation, and neurological rehabilitation. Let’s take a brief look at each one.

Occupational Therapy: Focuses on improving basic self-care independence and restoring functional living skills.

Physical Therapy: Focuses on restoring movement capabilities and improving posture, balance, range of motion and strength.

Speech and Language Therapy: Focuses on improving communication, swallowing liquids and food, and oral and motor skills.

Orthopedic Rehabilitation: Includes therapies after treatment for disease, injury and surgical procedures to bones, joints, muscles, and tendons, including joint replacements.

Neurological Rehabilitation: Many rehab facilities may also offer therapies for treatment of conditions affecting the central nervous system, including stroke, paralysis, Parkinson’s, etc.

How long will I be in short-term rehab?

The goal is to get patients home as soon as possible, but there’s no fixed time limit and the length of any given stay is driven by a patient’s progress as evaluated by his or her rehab team. That being said, the average stay is about 20 days, and many patients are headed home in as little 7 to 14 days.

Is being in a short-term rehab facility like being in a hospital?

In short, no, being in a short-term rehab facility is a considerably different experience. Typically, the design of the center is far more comfortable and residential in style, and you’ll certainly have a greater sense of freedom. You can wear your own clothes and may have the option of having your own food brought in to you. With this freedom, however, comes an added responsibility. In a typical hospital setting, you’re passively receiving care for an acute condition, but in short-term rehab, you’re expected to take a much more active role in facilitating your own recovery. You’ll take part in formulating your rehab plan and will be expected to participate in therapy sessions up to three hours a day, as well as perform activities on your own in between those sessions.

Will Medicare cover my short-term rehab stay?

There are a couple of determining prerequisites. First, you are required to have experienced a “qualifying hospital event,” which is a stay of at least three nights in a hospital in the last 30 days. Second, the rehab center you’re considering must be Medicare certified. Assuming those qualifications are met, you’ll be eligible for Medicare coverage for up to 100 days. However, only the first 20 days are covered at 100 percent. The remaining 80 inpatient days require a copay.

If you would like to know more about short-term rehab and how Westminster Village Terre Haute might help in facilitating your recovery or that of a loved one, please contact us at (812)-242-4600.

Westminster Village Senior Wellness Powered by NIFS

The Oslo University Hospital in Norway recently studied 5,700 men, age 68-77, who exercised 30 minutes a day, six days a week. The study concluded that, on average, this exercise regimen helped add more than five years to the lives of the participants. Yet, according to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition, only about 1/3 of American adults get 150 minutes of exercise per week−and the level of activity typically decreases even more among seniors. By age 75, about one in three men and one in two women engage in no physical activity at all. That’s why, here at Westminster Village Terre Haute, we’re so committed to providing opportunities for residents to get the exercise they need to stay well.

Partners in Fitness

One example of our commitment to senior wellness is our partnership with the National Institute for Fitness and Sport (NIFS). NIFS is a non-profit organization that provides management services, senior fitness programs, and facility layout and design services for the fitness centers of senior living communities all across the country. Our community’s state-of-the-art fitness center, the Westminster Athletic Club, is overseen by a full-time, NIFS-certified fitness manager. NIFS-certified managers are some of the most rigorously trained and vetted professionals in the fitness industry today. Most NIFS managers have earned specialty certifications for personal training, group exercise, and other related areas, and the organization provides numerous opportunities for continuing education through workshops and training, online resources and leadership support.

At Westminster Village, our NIFS fitness manager will work with you to develop a fitness plan that includes suggestions for nutrition, functional movement and exercise and is also available for personalized, one-on-one sessions. Our instructor-led group classes feature a variety of fun and effective activities that meet virtually any level of ability or fitness goals.

A Healthy Lifestyle

By partnering with NIFS and promoting physical exercise, Westminster Village is following through on its mission to create an environment that fosters a vibrant, engaged and healthy senior lifestyle.  According to a report from the U.S. Surgeon General, physical activity helps aging adults maintain the ability to live independently, reduces the risk of falling and fracturing bones, and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression while fostering improvements in mood and feelings of well-being.

To learn more about our NIFS-powered senior fitness program, contact Westminster Village Terre Haute at (812)-645-7246.

Ivy Tech Community College Terre Haute Agriculture and Precision Agriculture programs began harvesting six acres of sweet corn this week, and donated the corn to several local restaurants to help support our local economy. In keeping with tradition, all six acres of corn will be donated to local organizations, including Catholic Charities Foodbank, Westminster Village, and Master Gardeners. Thanks to the generosity of Westminster Village, Ivy Tech students and faculty have planted sweet corn on the Davis Avenue plot for the past seven years.

“We are proud that the labor of our students and faculty will directly benefit our local community,” said Lea Anne Crooks, Ivy Tech Terre Haute chancellor. “The donation of sweet corn, along with the Ivy Tech Community & College Benefit Series, are a few ways we have been able to offer assistance to industries hit especially hard during the Coronavirus pandemic.”

Ivy Tech sweet corn can be enjoyed in local menus at the Butler’s Pantry, Delish Café, Fifi’s Lunch Box, J. Ford’s Black Angus, Rick’s Smokehouse and The Saratoga.

Chef Kris Kraut from the Butler’s Pantry will use the corn for the first time this week during Ivy Tech’s monthly ‘Cooking with Kris’ virtual event, as part of the Community & College Benefit Series. To learn more or sign up for the next event in September, visit ivytech.edu/ccbenefit.