Senior Living | Jean Morelli

Jean Morelli received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Keuka College in Keuka Park, NY. She has served in the US Army Nurse Core and was a clinical instructor at St. Francis School of Nursing. She is a Registered Nurse, Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, a member of PANPHA (the Pennsylvania Association of Non-profit Homes for the Aging), and Vice Chair of the Faith Based Network. She was the Clinical Director of John J. Kane Hospital. Most recently she has been the Director of Nursing and an Assistant Administrator for the Baptist Homes of Western Pa. She will become Director of Health Services at Providence Point at its opening. For more information, Providence Point at 412-276-4500.

What to Look for in a Retirement Community

When exploring your options in Continuing Care Retirement Communities [CCRC], there are many factors to consider, including type of housing, location, as well as the healthcare facilities available nearby. Here we look at the importance of a CCRC’s wellness philosophy, as well as the package of services available.

A major consideration when choosing a retirement community is the community’s wellness philosophy. Make sure the community takes a holistic approach to wellness programming and is focused on enhancing the wellness of residents through staffing, programming, and architectural plans. If you are in good health now, this may not be an immediate concern, but it is likely to become important, so include a plan for your future health needs. In a CCRC, a quality wellness program helps to control costs by reducing the need for and/or length of stay in a health setting. Also, always consider the community’s proximity to quality emergency and acute care health facilities. Being close to a hospital when a health situation arises can be critically important, and a good rule of thumb is to be within several miles of both emergency medical transportation and a hospital emergency room. Be aware that most quality CCRC’s either accept only a limited number of applicants who have preexisting health conditions or will not accept them at all. Almost all communities will require that you pass their physical and mental health criteria prior to being accepted for residency. So if you have identified a retirement community you really want to be a part of, it is advisable to apply while you are still in good health, and not wait until you have health problems.

The hospitality services provided in your monthly fees will typically include maintenance, groundskeeping, and housekeeping, often referred to as environmental services. It will also include a dining plan, and staffing for recreational, educational and cultural activities. Examine the community closely to see if the hospitality services are at the level you expect in order to live the quality of life to which you are accustomed. Are the buildings and grounds well maintained? Is the preparation, delivery and quality of the food excellent? Is the meal plan flexible enough? Also question other community services that may significantly impact the cost of residency. For example, are utilities included in the monthly fee, including phone and cable hookups? Does the dining plan have a use-it or lose-it arrangement? Which hospitality services are included in the monthly fee and which are charged separately?

The amenities differ from community to community. Will you have an indoor pool? Is there a library, a bank, a hair salon? Is there an art studio or a woodworking shop? What will enhance your lifestyle? What transportation support will be available? These are services you may not want or need presently, but may be an important factor to keeping you independent at a later date. 

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