30 Oct The Ins and Outs of Healthcare In Senior Living at Legacy

As you get older, there are things in your life that may not be priorities like they once were, and there are other things that are more important than ever. Healthcare is one of those non-negotiables – for it’s your own mind, body and soul that need taking care of. Staying healthy and trusting capable healthcare professionals will allow you to live the best quality of life.

Helping you to do so is Legacy at Mills River, a new approach to senior living. Located in a pastoral valley in North Carolina, Legacy is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (also known as a Life Plan Community) framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains. This senior independent living community allows you all the freedom you enjoy in your own home, with added perks, convenience, and healthcare if you need it. 

The added security of knowing healthcare is available can put your mind at ease and take a weight off your shoulders. There are numerous healthcare options available to you, each fit for a different stage of life.

Senior Living Healthcare Options

At Legacy at Mills River, we know that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to senior healthcare. Our various programs offer the most comprehensive approach to healthcare available in a Continuing Care Retirement Community. Legacy offers an unsurpassed package of services to provide care when needed, and to help you manage what can be a burdensome process. 

We offer numerous healthcare options to fit the different stages of life, including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care. We start you at a full continuing care contract that can be upgraded to Life Care.

Our state of the art Health Center is built with all levels of care in mind to keep our members’ feeling their best. The Health Center will be available to Legacy members only, ensuring there will always be room for members to receive care. On-site semi-private rooms, private rooms, physical therapy center, and routine and wellness care are all within reach, so taking care of yourself won’t be an inconvenience.

Read on to learn more about the different healthcare packages available. 

Living Independently with On-Site Primary Care Clinic, Therapies and Medical Transportation

Regular check-ups and diligence in follow-up treatments are important components of senior healthcare. We simplify this process in two ways: 

• First, a full clinic designed to be staffed by an outside physician practice will be located on campus, allowing members to choose to receive primary care including periodic exams, lab work, sick visits and first-aid. 
• Additionally, some specialists likely including podiatrists, audiologists and others may see patients as part of the clinic services. Many members of CCRCs find onsite primary care clinics to be a tremendous benefit.

Legacy at Mills River will have a contract with a firm providing physical, occupational and speech therapy on campus. Therefore, members will not need to travel offsite following surgery, injury or illness requiring follow up rehabilitation services. However, for members who choose to use physicians or specialists outside of Legacy, transportation services are provided during regular windows throughout the week.

Coverage Advocacy and Administration Program 

Legacy at Mills River created the Coverage Advocacy and Administration Program (CAAP), with the authorization of participating members, to handle all that relates to terms such as “Co-payment” and “deductible.” The CAAP will deal with all the steps in-between healthcare providers and payers (Medicare, Insurance Companies) to serve as an advocate to verify all plan coverages and charges. Legacy staff also intervenes to schedule payments to provide reassurance to members and Providers. 

This time, stress and potentially money-saving program, is viewed by members at RLA-involved communities as one of the most appreciated benefits available to members.

Eligible Days

As a membership benefit, all Legacy members are provided 15 “eligible days” per calendar year of limited room and board care in the Legacy at Mills River Health Center. Eligible days can accumulate to a maximum of 30 days. 

Members may utilize eligible days to be cared for due to a short-term illness, to rehab from surgery, accident or illness or at the beginning of a permanent stay at the Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing level of care.

During an eligible day stay, members are provided semi-private accommodations and one meal per day. Private accommodations may be available for an additional charge and two additional meals per day will be billed to members account. 

Continuing Care Modified for Permanent Long Term Care

When long term care services are needed on a permanent basis – and after eligible days are exhausted – the Continuing Care Modified program provides access to on campus assisted and skilled nursing care. Members utilizing the Continuing Care Modified Program will pay a per diem rate for care received. What is vitally important here is that while they do pay a per diem rate, it will be below market rate for healthcare  – so essentially they receive a discount. Also, this contract is included for all first generation owners, meaning, there is no fee associated with this and is a benefit of buying now and living at Legacy. And the best part is all Legacy members are guaranteed a space at our Health Center, because we are a private facility only serving the needs of our members.

Considering Long Term Healthcare with Life Care Program Upgrade

The Life Care program is an upgrade option that provides access with a fixed monthly fee to on-campus assisted living and nursing care. The fixed monthly fee allows for more control as it relates to managing future healthcare expenses and may not be for everyone but is available for those who want it. This option is available for an additional one-time fee for a single person or a couple.

A very unique feature of Legacy at Mills River’s approach to long term care is the ability to delay the decision to upgrade to the Life Care Program. Members are not required to make their choice to upgrade to the Life Care Program upfront, when information may still be limited. Our members can choose to upgrade at any time, at least 12 months in advance of their need for care.  

About

Moving into a CCRC means you’ll live independently with all the freedom you’re used to, but with the peace of mind of knowing care is available when you need it. Senior health and wellness will also be top of mind for you in this community. You also have most of life’s necessities right at your fingertips – with the convenience of onsite healthcare, dining, fitness programs, and more. 

Find out first hand if Legacy at Mills River is right for you or your family members. Contact us to learn more information.