Have you ever said to yourself, “I’m too young for a senior living community. I have my health, my friends and family. I’m active and independent. Why should I even consider it?”
Well, you’re not alone. However, it’s more than common for many seniors who’ve also said, “I’m not ready for this,” to come back and say, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” after they made their move to a Life Plan Community.
The benefits of making a senior living deposit to join a retirement community can be great and many. You see, a Life Plan Community (also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community or CCRC) puts you in control of your future. It brings peace of mind to you and your family. It’ll also provide opportunities to enhance your independence through living a maintenance-free lifestyle loaded with an abundance of amenities and services.
Plus, getting your name on a senior living waitlist or priority list today doesn’t mean you’re moving tomorrow. It could be as long as two years before the residence you choose becomes available. But with your name on the priority list, you’ve reserved your place in line with time to adequately plan your transition.
How to Plan for Your Future
By making a deposit at a senior living community, you’ve made the choice on how to plan for your future. A Life Plan Community, like McLean, gives you the freedom to enjoy your independence today while having the security of knowing you have access to a full continuum of high-quality health care services if the need arises. If your health needs change, you can transition seamlessly from Independent Living to Assisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing or Rehabilitation – without having to move to a new community or facility.
Meanwhile, you can forget about mundane chores and home maintenance and instead take advantage of all the possibilities, amenities, and services the community offers to make life easier and more enjoyable. Most Life Plan Communities offer perks like nutritious dining options, fitness classes and wellness programs. There are opportunities to socialize, to continue your favorite hobbies or discover new passions through lifelong learning classes, cultural, art and recreational programs.
When you put all those advantages together, it only makes sense to make a senior living deposit today.
How a Making a Deposit Works
Just as no two Life Plan Communities are the same, that goes for priority lists, too. You’ll also find that different communities use different names for their list. For example, it might be called a “waitlist”, a “friends list” or an “intent list.” However, they’re generally the same.
To join a community priority list, most require that you put down a deposit that could range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. In some communities, like McLean, this deposit is fully refundable if you change your mind. We recommend that before making a deposit at any community, be sure to ask about their refund policy.
When you make your senior living deposit, you’ll select which type of residence you prefer most, such as a 1-bedroom apartment with a balcony, a 2-bedroom villa, or perhaps something that’s close to dining options or community gardens. Your name is then added to the list and reserves your place in line. Most lists are flexible, which means that when you reach the top of the list, you have the option to take the available residence or wait until the next desired residence becomes available – all while keeping your top position on the list.
Internal Lists
Some communities also offer an internal list. This gives you the option, because of want or need, to move to the community even though your preferred residence isn’t yet available, but your second or third choice is. After you move in, your name will remain on the internal list until your preferred residence becomes available.
The plus side here is that current residents will typically get priority over nonresidents, so you may be able to get your desired residence relatively quickly. However, you may be required to pay a transfer fee or pay the additional cost if your desired residence is more expensive. Be sure to ask about any charges you’ll incur.
Expansion Priority Programs
When a community is about to undergo an expansion that will add brand-new residences, such as McLean, they typically offer a priority program. The great thing about becoming a priority program member is that it lets you reserve your new residence before the expansion begins. They usually offer many other benefits, too, such as low preconstruction pricing, invitations to exclusive member events, and more.
Further Perks of Making a Senior Living Deposit
Many communities offer exclusive benefits to future residents, or “members,” who are on their senior living waitlist. These perks may include unlimited use of their fitness center and exercise classes, monthly passes for you and a guest to enjoy their dining options, invitations to special events, group outings and on-campus activities. It’s a great way to become more familiar with the community and cultivate friendships with your future neighbors before you even move in.
Join McLean’s Priority Plus Program
In the late spring of 2020, The Village at McLean will break ground on a major new expansion. With it will come beautiful new maintenance-free apartments – many of which offer impressive golf course views.
Plus, we’re adding exceptional restaurant-style dining venues, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and so many more first-class amenities to our nature-filled campus. Residents will also enjoy a social membership to Hop Meadow Country Club right next door. Plus, thanks to the full continuum of care that we offer as a Life Plan Community, you’ll have peace of mind today, knowing that tomorrow is taken care of.
By joining McLean’s Priority Plus Program before construction begins, you can take advantage of a whole host of valuable benefits, including the lowest preconstruction pricing to be offered and early residence selection based on your priority number – all with no risk or obligation. Learn more about the benefits of a senior living deposit and our major new expansion and how to join our Priority Plus Program now.
A Priority List Is Worth Its Weight
Planning sooner rather than later is clearly the sound choice. Waiting until you’re “ready” to move to a Life Plan Community like McLean could mean that you’re waiting until you don’t have the option of deciding for yourself, leaving you with limited options.
Joining a senior living community now on your terms – when you’re young, active, and healthy – can ensure the what-ifs of tomorrow are taken care of, giving you the freedom to enjoy life today.
We invite you to learn more about the new expansion at The Village at McLean and see how your lifestyle can blossom in the heart of nature.