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Need Advice Ashby Ponds

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by rkitek, Aug 5, 2017.

  1. rkitek

    rkitek Member

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    We are wondering if anyone has had experience with a family member moving into Ashby Ponds and how that has worked out.
    Thanks
     
  2. Capricorn1964

    Capricorn1964 Well-Known Member

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    I have experience with moving my mother in there and she LOVES the place and we are HAPPY that she's nearby us. She's enjoying her newfound freedom/friends- after my Dad died, she was kind of lost in a way but found her way after moving to Ashby Ponds.
     
  3. Echogirl

    Echogirl Member

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    My mother moved into AP in 2009 and lived there until she passed away last year. The residents were wonderful and she made so many new friends. We loved having her so close by, too. She had a lovely unit in one of the independent living buildings, but it was good knowing that the assisted living/rehab section was right there. Amenities are great, dining options and food were very good, alot of activities and the place is very secure. It was great peace of mind for her and for us.
     
  4. rkitek

    rkitek Member

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    Thank you both for responding. This helps as we are looking around and trying to decide the next steps. We appreciate it.
     
  5. jwf

    jwf Well-Known Member

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    What do you think of the cost? It seems really expensive.
     
  6. pvcv

    pvcv New Member

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    My father moved into AP (Independent living) in Sept 2015. it was about $2,000 - $2,500 per month for the service fee. In August 2016 he moved into the ALF (Maple Grove) at AP. Definitely more expensive but he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in July 2016 and they are managing his care. I would say that if you are considering moving a parent into the ALF, that you stay on top of everything, which we do. Don't assume anything, confirm everything. He's happy and we're happy that he feels comfortable and safe.
     
  7. jwf

    jwf Well-Known Member

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    I was talking about the up front cost. It seems you gotta put several hundred thousand down just to get in.
     
  8. pvcv

    pvcv New Member

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    there are definitely expensive up front costs. It's called an "entrance deposit". for my father, he used the money from the sale of his home to put the money down. from what we saw entrance deposits range from 300K-400K. 90% of the entrance deposit is either used for the residents care if they've depleted all other financial resources or returned to either the resident if they move out, or their heirs if they pass away.
     
  9. jwf

    jwf Well-Known Member

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    Something about that didn't sit right with me. It seems you are giving then 3 to 400k of free capital they can invest and make money from. Then you are still paying a monthly fee as well. I have no idea if this is standard practice in the elder care industry. Trying to learn for my own parents.
     
  10. pvcv

    pvcv New Member

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    You're right. We believe their using much of the capital for expansion of the independent living apartments. they've built two new large building since my father initially moved in. BTW...we're looking down the road and a possible move to FL and have checked out some assisted living facilities there. they don't have the enormous entrance deposit but rather a "community fee 1-3K" and then the monthly lease/service package fee. Fees ranges vary based on the services provided and the facility. Older ones cost a bit less but the newer ones are a bit more but still significantly less than he's paying at AP
     
  11. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    Too bad they're not investing that money in their providers. The problem with elder care (especially assisted living) is finding qualified health givers. I would rather my parent be in a no frills facility staffed with top notch educated and/or certified employees paid better than average wages, rather than a facility that comes with amenities they pay for and never use.
     
  12. Kilkenny

    Kilkenny Member

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    Walton wood, Ashburn V Blvd & Russell Branch, has no entrance fee of consequence but an extremely high monthly fee
     
  13. signifer

    signifer Member

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    From experience, I agree that getting high quality care is very important and difficult to find, but do you have information that says Ashby Pond providers are not well qualified or well paid?

    We looked at Ashby Ponds several years ago (for my parents) and believed they had a good staff. Friends of my parents were in other Erikson properties, enjoyed it very much, and thought the medical treatment was very good, so my parents wanted to move into one near us.

    Sadly, my parents decided to not leave Virginia Beach and the place they moved into clearly has minimally qualified staff and providers (yet is rated "Best of the Beach"). It is an incredibly angering situation trying to deal with blatant incompetence providing care for a loved one, particularly so far away.

    FWIW: Ashby Ponds charges a high fee (~$400K+) for the "apartment" but in general it is returned (minus repairs, if I remember right) when the person leaves, although there is no interest or appreciation paid. The place my mom is in charged about a $3K non-refundable entrance fee but the monthly charge is over $5000 for assisted living level 3; that's just for my mom, my dad passed away about 4 years ago.

    One other comment: I recommend a book entitled, "Being Mortal" by Atul Gawande, it gives lots of good information about what goes on and alternatives for elder care. (One of my regrets is that as people age they want to feel useful but the kids want them to be safe. These are not the same, and being safe was what most contributed to the decision of where they ended up. The book talks about this, but sadly, I read it too late.)

    Richard
     
  14. SK8R

    SK8R On the Clover Meadow

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    I moved my parents to The Arbors apartments, from Annapolis Maryland in June 2013, after my mom had a stroke. They were both 89 then.
    They enjoyed The Arbors Apartments , they had a ground floor apartment. I have to admit, the managers at those apartments (back then) were incredibly accommodating for us. My dad did not want to move in with us, and really this move was supposed to be temporary for my mom to get better physical therapy and care. Something I found incredibly lacking in Annapolis and very stressful for me.

    My parents had looked at Riderwood in Maryland, several times over the past 20 years, but never ever wanted to take the big leap.
    "long story short" My dad was very interested and eager to move into the very largest apartment in the new building at the time, Willow Crossing. They moved in to that Ashby Ponds apartment in July 2014.
    Ashby Ponds is everything you pay for. If you live in your own apartment, no one is going to neglect you. There are always social services' very subtle and prudent attention. They are very discreet, good listeners, and genuinely considerate and professional.
    There is plenty to do at Ashby Ponds. The one thing I noticed though, and this might be something that bothers you, or not....
    Every one that "buys into Ashby Ponds" is financially able to. there are small apartments, that are quite nice. My dad is loaded and got the biggest place, which was :::sigh::: kind of good. My point is, the people that live there are all former professionals, not all doctors and lawyers, just hard working people that made wise choices with their money. Every one that lives there is kind, well spoken, intelligent and sociable. They come from all over the place. I would say that AP is predominately "white" but there are many many other "races" there. Every one is very inclusive and of course mature enough to comport themselves and give each other dignity. Oh that is another thing, when you are applying to get in, you have to speak to a social worker. I guess they want to make sure you are not a nut case, or criminal.

    Hubbs and I took care of the packing and moving and selling in 2014 and that was exhausting. Dad insisted we not get rid of anything in their house in Annapolis (many many many many large black contractor bags later) we did manage to stuff the rest into their apartment. So, if dad had gotten a smaller place, I cannot imagine.... I already have a lot of their stuff here too.....

    I would move to Ashby Ponds in a heart beat. They have a bunch of groups here with the most wonderful people I would love to get involved with.
    I know a great many residents and workers there already. They all know I "live there" I just don't sleep there :-D

    Security is top notch, drivers will take you anywhere you like, the positives are numerous.
    Obviously I am waaaaaaay too young to live there.
    They have a zillion fun clubs and groups, the food is very good, the medical team is excellent.
    This has gotten too long, but I will end saying that my dad has been alone for almost a year now. Sadly, mom passed away last October. She was happy to be near me. I go to see my dad every day. He is a quiet guy, but he is friendly and has friends. He does not particularly like Bocce but they have a "club/group" and my dad signed up. He also continues to attend church every Sunday they have there, and they have Ashby Ponds tv, two channels, one has exercises every day several times a day, and other fun stuff like Lavern and Shirley.
    I do not know any people that live at AP that hate it. It is just nearly impossible to not get out and enjoy yourself and the environment there. All of the employees are completely dedicated.
     
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  15. KTdid

    KTdid Well-Known Member

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    The industry, in general, pays minimum wage, or a tad more, for caregivers. Most caregivers have little to no experience.

    We should all strive to improve the systems. Private and State run facilities have a horrible track record for reporting physical abuse, neglect, and sexual assault and often times the victim has no recourse because the contracts include an arbitration clause denying the right to sue in court.

    Last year, a new rule was put in place, for facilities receiving Medicaid or Medicare (which is most of them,) to remove the arbitration clause allowing victims and/or family members to seek action in the Court system. The elder care industry lobbied hard AGAINST this, and recently, the Trump administration proposed to reverse that law making mandatory arbitration the industry standard, once again. I think both options should be on the table.

    We should all be concerned...
     

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