Moving to a “retirement community”, or an independent senior living community, also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) or Life Plan community, can provide significant lifestyle and financial benefits for individuals and couples.
A retirement community provides low-maintenance living that allows for ease of travel and no worries about home or yard maintenance. With beautiful amenities, the move is very good for your social life with opportunities to dine, socialize, volunteer, and contribute to things that matter to you. Fitness and aquatics centers make wellness easy and accessible; on-site medical care make future transitions easier; and with a variety of price points and contract options, it may be more affordable then you think.
So you’re ready to investigate, but where do you start? Here is information on what to expect as you begin your research and planning for a move to Pine Run.
Requesting Information & The Phone Call
Some people visit www.pinerun.org and fill out an easy online form requesting information, while others pick up the phone and speak to one of our friendly sales directors. Let us know your preferences for receiving information. We want this process to be informative for you, at your pace. Some people request information with the intent of planning for a move in several years. Others have a more immediate need or are seeking information for a friend or family member. Even if you fill out an online form, don’t be surprised if you receive a phone call from our sales directors We’d like to get you the information that you need and the following simple questions can help us in that process:
Are you looking for yourself or a friend/family member?
When someone requests information it’s very helpful for us to know if the request is for yourself or for someone else. We’re going to ask about your current circumstances – where are you living now, how long have you lived in your home, and what made you call us today? This will give your sales director some basic information about you and the reasons for the call. For most people, the move to Independent Living in a retirement community can take several months, or for some, several years, during which your sales director will be your guide. If you are seeking information on Personal Care, Rehabilitation, Long-Term Skilled Nursing Care, or Memory Care, we can help you reach the appropriate member of our team. Establishing a good relationship is important to us!
What is your timeframe for moving to a retirement community?
Your timeframe expectations for a move are an important consideration. If you’d like to move soon, your sales director can highlight our current availability. If you are planning for the future, we may suggest that after visiting and experiencing our community, you join our wait list. Many communities, including Pine Run, have a wait list for their most popular homes.
What size residence is right for you?
Pine Run offers cottages and apartments in a wide variety of sizes and price points – from 500 square foot studios to 1800+ square feet cottages. Your sales director will ask what size home you are looking for and go over availability, timing, and pricing.
Exploring your expectations and what our community has to offer can produce unexpected surprises. For example, many individuals/couples indicate that they’d like to have a second bedroom for guests. However, most communities have guest accommodations available for residents’ friends and family members. Pine Run offers the Yellowwood Inn, an on-campus bed-and-breakfast, for Villagers’ use. Knowing this, someone might opt for a smaller one-bedroom residence instead, rather than wait for a larger model with a second bedroom they might only use on occasion. We also often hear about the perceived need for a craft/sewing/art studio. Our Craft Barn on campus is an ideal place for creative pursuits for individual work as well as ongoing classes and group activities.
What do you love about your current home? Is there anything you might want to replicate in your new retirement community home?
This helps the sales director get an idea of what residences may appeal to you. For example, if you have a yoga or an art studio, this may guide their search for a one-bedroom and den vs. a one-bedroom. Or perhaps view is most important; the sales director would look for something on the campus with beautiful views. Our sales directors are your advocates in your search for a new home. If there’s something special that you’re looking for, let us know. We know our campus and inventory and making a good match and finding you a home that not only meets your needs, but exceeds your expectations, is our goal.
Is Pine Run a good financial fit for you?
Pricing is certainly an important part of making a move to a retirement community. Buying into a community is very different than purchasing real estate; you’re investing in your future instead of property. Many communities have certain financial requirements of future residents to ensure they can afford the entire continuum of care, if needed. We’re happy to go over Pine Run pricing and contract options in detail so there are no surprises. Determining affordability upfront helps the sales director to know what size homes are within your budget.
What kinds of things are important to you as you think about a move to a retirement community?
It’s helpful for us to know what is important to you in your thinking about a move so that we can plan a meaningful visit for you. Do you hope to continue a fitness plan? Or start one? Have you always wanted to learn to draw? What opportunities are there on campus for volunteering? How does future health care fit in? What happens if I need help in my new home?
Ask us questions! This is your chance to ask about the thing that matter to you, from the history of the community, how Pine Run differs from others in the area, policies on pets and visitors (we’re pet friendly!), how the continuum of care works, etc.
The Visit to a Retirement Community
Or really, the first visit, because potential new residents often visit a retirement community several (or many!) times before choosing one, let alone moving. The first visit is your chance to get a feel of what the culture is like and determine whether or not you could see it as your future home.
A first visit to Pine Run may include visiting the following features and amenities on our campus:
The Community Center
Pine Run’s sales director will meet you at the Community Center, affectionately known as “The Hub” by Villagers and Associates alike. An extension of your cottage or apartment, The Hub is where Villagers collect their mail, gather with friends for a meal in one of our dining venues, attend art or educational classes, use the Fitness & Aquatics center, and much more.
Your sales director will tour you through the building and give you an overview of what a “typical day” might look like. Along the way, current Villagers or Associates may introduce themselves or just give you a warm welcome to the community.
The Campus
Upon leaving The Hub, you’ll be shown Pine Run’s beautiful 43-acre campus. Of the many reasons folks choose our community, our outdoor setting is chief among them. Depending on your interests, this could include a visit to the Craft Barn, a walk on “The Green Road,” our campus walking trail, seeing our greenhouse or our community gardens, or other highlights.
Cottages and Apartments
Based on your phone discussion, your sales director will have arranged a tour of one or two residences. Often times, these will be the homes of current Villagers, which gives you a perfect opportunity to ask questions of those who have recently been in your shoes.
In some cases, you may even see residences that are currently being remodeled, or older residences that have not yet been remodeled but are in a location that might appeal to you in the future. Having an open mind and a good imagination is key here.
An Opportunity for Questions
After the tour, your sales director will offer a quiet space to go over any questions you have as well as give you a more detailed overview on things like:
- Pricing and contracts, as well as the many services and amenities included in your Monthly Service Fee such as utilities, transportation, meal plans, and more.
- How Pine Run handles transitions between levels of care within the continuum
- The Admissions Process
Your sales director will generally follow-up with you in the weeks after your visit to see if there are any questions that have come up and to offer a second visit, perhaps a meal with a Villager, or any other follow-up that may be helpful to you. We generally recommend blocking out an hour and a half for your first visit.
If you’re ready to start your research, we’re just a phone call away. Call 800.992.8992 to speak with Pine Run’s dedicated sales directors.