I'm starting this discussion because I can't find Joan's blog about her upcoming knee surgery. It's there somewhere, but I just don't know how to find it.
Anyway, Joan, I have a question regarding your recovery and the care of you, your dh and your dad. Don't you live in a CCRC? I thought that was the main selling point for these CCRC communities is that you and/or your loved one had care facilities right there to take care of you when these situations arise, like your surgery. There's a CCRC community in my area and the cost is quite high to buy in and over $50K/year in dues. But, I am under the impression that those high dues are to insure your care when you need it. After reading about what you're facing and what others on this site have faced when illness or surgeries have arisen for the caregiver, maybe these costs are justified? But, it seems like this isn't the case where you live. What am I missing here or have I totally misinterpreted how these communities operate??
It is my understanding that in a CCRC, you buy into it, and there is lifetime care from the simplest help when you are independent, to assisted living to nursing home care, and that all of your needs, including medical are taken care of for life.
That is NOT the type of community in which I live. There are two parts to where I live. There is the Assisted Living Building and the Indepedent Villa Neighborhood next door. I live in the Independent Villas. I pay a monthly RENT, which includes a dinner meal delivered from the ALF kitchen, weekly cleaning service, all utilities, outdoor and indoor maintenance, participation in the ALF activities if desired, and the ALF bus at our service for doctor's apts. Therapy services are located in the ALF building, and when we need therapy, they handle it - we either go over there, or they will come to us. Our unit is a little house - one building has 4 attached villas (houses) that consist of 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, a living room, dining room, kitchen, morning room, screened patio, and one car garage. There are 8 of these little buildings = 32 villas. We also have a pool and clubhouse. http://www.thepalmsofstluciewest.com/index.asp
My father lives in the Assisted Living next door. He pays a monthly fee, based upon his level of care. It increases as his care level increases. They have 4 levels of care - he is currently on level 3.
Thank you, Joan, for answering my question. I have a lot to learn about what facilities are available and how they work. I'll have to ask some pointed questions of the community that I'm looking into. As you probably may from a previous post, our attorney suggested that we move to a CCRC to assist me with the progression of dh's disease. It doesn't appeal to me now because I'm only 58 and everyone else averages 75+. However, if they do provide the services that I understood, maybe it is worth taking another look. All these complications of life that require we caregivers to be out of commission --- I never thought about - what will I do if I cannot take care of dh, who will take care of him and/or me if the situation arises??