5 Ways Lifecare Offers Peace of Mind for Older Adults (and Their Children)

When it’s time to choose a place to live your senior years—one that meets your needs now and in the future—there are many things that older adults and their adult children should research. Of course, knowing the activities, wellness programs, services and amenities, dining and other perks are important for finding a community that will help you live your best life possible now. However, the biggest factor older adults should consider is peace of mind—for now and the future.

“While you may currently be healthy, active and completely independent, it’s important to remember that this might not always be the case,” says Pamela Klapproth, CEO of Kendal on Hudson, a not-for-profit Life Plan Community serving older adults in the Quaker tradition in Sleepy Hollow, NY. “No one wants to end up in a situation where they will have to move away from a community they love due to changing health needs. That’s why many of today’s older adults are choosing a Life Plan Community like Kendal on Hudson for their golden years.”

Kendal on Hudson, says Pamela, is the best of both worlds: an active, independent lifestyle filled with opportunities for now and a full continuum of care to meet your health and assistance needs as you age. “Whether you will require Assisted Living, Memory Support or Skilled Nursing, you will always be able to live in the place you call home,” she explains. “That peace of mind is priceless for both older adults and their adult children.”

Pamela says that this peace of mind allows older adults to truly embrace this stage of life and upsize their retirement in a big way. “Kendal on Hudson provides more than just care—our all-inclusive, maintenance-free and carefree lifestyle gives our residents all the time in the world to enjoy, relax, learn, experience and explore,” she says. “Having that freedom and that peace of mind is truly priceless.”

What Is Lifecare?

Lifecare is a lifestyle—more specifically, it’s a retirement lifestyle that offers health care and services for life no matter what. Residents pay an entrance fee to join the community and then one monthly rate for the rest of their time there—no matter how their health needs change.

A Life Plan Community—like Kendal on Hudson—is a senior living community that offers Lifecare. Formerly known as Continuing Care Retirement Communities, or CCRCs, these communities are becoming more and more popular with older adults and their adult children.

“Kendal on Hudson is the only Life Plan Community offering a Lifecare agreement in Westchester County,” Pamela says. “We’re proud that we’re able to provide this type of lifestyle to individuals in our greater community, and we look forward to helping you or your loved one find the peace of mind that you so richly deserve.”

How Lifecare Provides Peace of Mind

1. Priority access to services and lifestyle options.
Lifecare contracts begin when you’re an active, healthy older adult. If and when your needs change—say, for example, you need help with the tasks of daily life like getting dressed or bathing, or you require skilled nursing to help manage a health issue—you will have priority access to those levels of care and lifestyles. That means you won’t ever need to be put on a waiting list if and when additional assistance is needed. Adult children can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that Mom or Dad won’t ever have to worry about receiving the care they need to live their best possible lives.

2. Protection from rising health care costs.
We all know that health care costs are continually on the rise and can become quite significant as we get older. Generally, health care costs increase as your needs increase. A Life Plan Community like Kendal on Hudson protects residents from the rising cost of health care services because of the way our community is structured. This can play a significant role in your financial planning and help you protect your estate for now and in the future.

3. Potential tax savings.
No one wants to pay more in taxes than they have to. Here’s the great news: moving to a Life Plan Community like Kendal on Hudson can provide you with some significant tax breaks, especially during your first year with us. As the years go by, portions of your monthly costs can potentially be deducted from your taxes.

4. Maintenance-free living.
Living on your own in a private home means that you have to deal with all the tedious chores and tasks that come with homeownership. Moving into a Life Plan Community means that you can say goodbye to lawn maintenance, cooking and cleaning … it’s all taken care of for you, giving you full access to a life of leisure. When you’re an active, independent older adult, this means you have all the time in the world to explore your passions and head off on adventures. As you age, you (and your adult children) can rest easy, knowing that you won’t ever have to put yourself in a potentially dangerous situation (like climbing on a rickety ladder to change a lightbulb, for example).

5. You gain a home for life.
As we’ve mentioned several times in this article, the true value of Lifecare is peace of mind and security forever. This is a wonderful gift that older individuals can give to their adult children and heirs. Choosing a Life Plan Community like Kendal on Hudson to be your home in your golden years means that your children will never have to make the hard decision to put you into a community (or have to move you to another one if your health needs require it). More than anything, older adults want their children to be happy and secure—and adult children want the same for their parents as they get older.

“As you can see, Lifecare is a wonderful situation for older adults and their adult children,” says Pamela. “We would love the opportunity to speak with you and your family about the various benefits of Lifecare and how moving to our Life Plan Community can provide the lifestyle you deserve now and in the future.”

Together, Transforming the Experience of Aging.®

Founded on Quaker principles and guided by our values and practices, Kendal on Hudson provides a vibrant, active and social senior lifestyle on our 25-acre campus next to the historic Hudson River. As the only Lifecare community in Westchester County, we offer five levels of service for our residents: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Support, Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Kendal on Hudson is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization led by a volunteer Board of Directors. Kendal on Hudson is an affiliate of The Kendal Corporation, a system of communities and services for older people based in Kennett Square, PA. We support diversity, inclusiveness, and independence and support the values and practices of Kendal by remaining focused on healthy aging. Located in Sleepy Hollow, New York, just 35 miles from New York City, we offer a vibrant lifestyle, cultural programs, continued learning and health care for life.

 For more information, please call 866-KENDALNY .