Resources for a More Fulfilling Retirement
To help you navigate the senior living landscape in Charleston, West Virginia, we’ve gathered several retirement resources and frequently asked questions. We encourage you to take the time you need to understand your options. If the information you’re looking for isn’t here, or if you have questions, please contact us anytime. We’re here to help.
Questions and answers about senior living.
Independent Living FAQ
Why should I move out of my house?
Many independent seniors choose a community simply to eliminate the burdens of owning a house — higher insurance, property taxes, repairs, yardwork, shoveling snow and regular maintenance. Often the decision to make a move is driven by the desire to be in a social and active environment. It also provides levels of safety and security. Unlike living alone, at a community there’s always someone close by if an emergency arises.
How will I know when it’s time to move to a senior independent living community?
Edgewood Summit recognizes that choosing a new home is a personal decision and making a lifestyle change can be difficult. Finding the right community for you that balances independent living with support and services when needed requires some research. We invite you to attend regularly scheduled informational sessions on a variety of topics to help you make an educated decision about your future. We’re available to answer your questions at any time, and welcome your inquiries. We offer an open invitation to visit and take a personal tour.
What are the advantages of an entrance fee community?
There are several benefits. The investment you make into Edgewood Summit is reinvested in the community to pay for capital improvements, fund reserves, retire debt, and generate interest earnings to help with operational expenses. Also keep in mind that the entrance fee at Edgewood Summit is up to 90% refundable. Also included in the contract is a Health Care Benefit, offering a substantial discount on higher levels of living at Edgewood Summit, should you ever need them.
How much does it cost to live at Edgewood Summit?
Living at Edgewood Summit is surprisingly reasonable. Cost depends on several factors. Comparing the actual costs of your current living arrangement and the comprehensively inclusive monthly service fee should be reviewed in detail with our marketing team. We would love to sit down with you and go through the financial advantages of residing in a senior living community.
Assisted Living FAQ
What is assisted living?
Assisted living bridges the gap between independent living and round-the-clock nursing care provided in long-term care. Assisted living is designed to provide apartments for residents who meet certain standards of self-sufficiency, but could benefit from some daily support. Residents who reside in assisted living receive supervision or assistance with activities of daily living. This can include medication management, meals, laundry, housekeeping and transportation. These services help residents remain more engaged with others, while being able to better enjoy their place in community life.
Are assisted living services available to me if I don’t live at Edgewood Summit?
Yes. Assisted living at Edgewood Summit is available to current residents as well as through direct admission for the general public.
Memory Care FAQ
What level of care does memory care provide?
Memory care at Edgewood Summit provides assisted living services in a secured environment. Residents living in this level of care must have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Our Landmarks for Living® program is structured and designed to promote quality of life through a nurturing environment, providing specialized dining and activities.
How does memory care differ from assisted living?
Memory loss, whether from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, affects more than just one person. At The Arthur B. Hodges Center at Edgewood Summit, we work with individuals, family members and caregivers, searching for the right balance of respect and care. Our community design reduces confusion and provides complete security. With special programming designed for those with memory loss, The Arthur B. Hodges Center helps residents find joy and contentment in each moment.
Skilled Nursing FAQ
What is long-term skilled nursing care?
It’s specifically for Edgewood Summit residents who need greater care while recovering from a hospital stay, or for those who need longer-term care. Compassionate services are provided around the clock by trained professionals. Long-term care refers to a variety of services that help meet both the medical and nonmedical needs of people with a chronic illness or disability who can’t care for themselves for long periods of time. Many require the assistance with basic activities that most of us can do for ourselves, such as eating, medication management, bathing and dressing.
What is short-term skilled nursing care?
Skilled care can occur over a short period of time (100 days or less), usually after a hospitalization. This is health care provided when you need nursing or rehabilitation staff to manage, observe and evaluate your medical situation. Services include changing sterile dressings and physical therapy. The goal is to have professional care until one can regain the independence needed to return to their prior living arrangement.
Rehabilitation FAQ
What’s the difference between physical therapy and occupational therapy?
They’re similar. Physical therapy helps restore strength and mobility. Occupational therapy helps people adapt to their social and physical surroundings through education in things like dressing, memory training and coordination exercises.
How often will I receive therapy services?
Every resident receives an individualized treatment plan, based on physician orders and individual needs.
Do I have to be a resident at Edgewood Summit to receive rehabilitation services?
Yes. Rehabilitation services are reserved exclusively for community residents as part of our continuum of care.
Is rehabilitation covered by insurance?
Our Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation is Medicare Certified. Services may be covered by Medicare or other third party insurance.
Helpful links
AARP: The nation’s leading organization for people age 50 and older.
Administration on Aging: Site provides an overview on a variety of topics, programs and services related to aging.
Aging Life Care Association and Caring.com: Referral sites to locate geriatric care managers who assess needs, identify and coordinate care resources.
Alzheimer’s Association: The world leader in Alzheimer’s research and support. The first and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to finding prevention methods, treatments and an eventual cure for Alzheimer’s.
American Geriatrics Society: The premier professional organization of health care providers dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all older adults.
American Heart Association: Offers information on heart attacks, strokes and family health.
Arthritis Foundation: Provides information on arthritis: types, treatments, coping tips and research information.
BrightFocus Foundation: A charitable organization dedicated to funding research on age-related and degenerative diseases, educating the public about these diseases, and providing emergency financial assistance to people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
Lotsa Helping Hands: Site helps family members remotely manage loved ones’ calendars and documents.
Care Pathways: Site created and maintained by RNs to provide older adults and their families access to quality health care information, products and services.
Care Central: Site helps family members remotely manage loved ones’ calendars and documents.
Healthfinder: A government website with links to health-related information resources on the Internet.
Medicare: Official U.S. government Medicare site.
Medicare Rights Center: The largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare.
National Alliance for Caregiving: Addresses the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home.
National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care: Site developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care needs.
National Institute on Aging: The National Institute on Aging leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging to extend the healthy, active years of life.
Parkinson’s Foundation: The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure.
RetirementHomes.com: North America’s largest senior living directory that offers the most up-to-date detailed listing information on many types of senior housing options, covering the continuum of care and beyond.
Where You Live Matters: A resource for unbiased, thought-provoking information to help you make smart decisions about senior living for yourself or for a loved one.