Our Lady of Peace Offers Tips, Solutions to Retirement Living

STAFF
Published: March 22, 2008

Deciding when to move to a retirement community takes much research, planning and thought. There are many communities that offer various services and amenities, levels of care and pricing structures, and all of these must be considered carefully. Which do you choose and when is it time to move from the home environment into a retirement community?
   
Start with research. There are numerous senior service organizations and Internet websites available to obtain information and lists of questions to provide insight into choosing the best retirement community. Call the individual communities for information or go to their websites. Nothing, however, is better than visiting a facility in person.

      That’s the recommendation of Pam Butler, RN, LNHA, Assistant Administrator at Our Lady of Peace, a retirement community in Charlottesville. “Have questions and concerns ready to discuss with the staff and get the feel of the community. You should feel comfortable in the surroundings and feel that your questions and concerns are addressed directly and openly by the staff.”

      When you visit, have questions and concerns ready to discuss with the community representative. Questions should be personalized to you or your loved one; questions about activities, food choices, services available and personal care options should be asked to see if what is offered will meet the needs of the person requiring assistance.

      What happens if needs change? It is important to see if personal needs, as well as interests and hobbies will be met even if there is physical or cognitive decline. Other important questions that greatly influence quality of life for residents include staffing and the atmosphere and physical condition of the community.

      General questions, too, should be addressed. Be observant of your surroundings and the appearance of the residents.  Look at the professionalism of the staff and how they interact with the residents. Do they know each resident by name? Visit the dining room and see the food being served. Are the residents enjoying the meal? Staff/resident ratios, training and staff qualifications are very important.

      Butler says prospective residents and their loved ones should look into the facility’s licensing, if licensed by the Department of Social Services. “You have a right to review the licensing survey results to see if the facility has merely met minimum requirements or has exceeded them,” states Butler.

      Ask questions about leasing and cost of services to see if your loved one can meet the financial requirements. What happens if funds deplete while living at the community? Examine closely costs and services; be aware of what is included and what is additional.

      Our Lady of Peace is a non-profit, non-denominational retirement community offering independent and assisted living, long term nursing care, and specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care. Residents benefit from many customized services, spacious apartment living, delectable meals served in a beautiful dining room, a variety of social, recreational and spiritual activities, housekeeping, and an experienced and compassionate nursing staff, available 24 hours a day. Van transportation is available for residents around the surrounding area.

      Our Lady of Peace offers seven different apartments floor plans with month-to-month leasing and no entrance fees. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.our-lady-of-peace.com or call us at 434-973-1155 to schedule a tour. Come, be part of our resident family and enjoy retirement!