Top of Mind Questions for Seniors When Moving to a Retirement Community

At Era Living there are a variety of luxury private apartment types ranging from studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes. Independent living is available for older adults who choose to spend their time doing things they love rather than cooking, cleaning, house chores and maintenance. Our levels of care are designed to meet your changing needs. Assisted living services are available if needed, and delivered in the privacy of your apartment so you do not need to move. Services are offered on an à la carte basis, so you only pay for the services you need. For those who are living with dementia and are no longer safe in their homes, we offer secured memory care at two Era Living communities.

At Era Living retirement communities, most commonly there is a one-time community fee when you move in. This fee varies depending on the community and is used to enhance the living experience for everyone. It goes towards beautifying the common space, providing fantastic amenities and services, organizing engaging activities, and preparing your new apartment. Typically, this fee ranges from $4,000 to $7,500. Just like a club membership, it’s a non-refundable one-time payment.

Two of our communities, Aljoya Mercer Island and Aljoya Thornton Place, have an entrance fee. This entrance fee is higher than the community fees associated with our other communities. However, 80% of the entrance fee is refundable to either you, or your estate, after the apartment is leased to a new resident. In this financial model, the monthly fee is usually lower than a month-to-month financial model because of the higher entrance fee paid upfront. We are happy to provide two different financial models so that people have the choice to choose which option fits better with their lifestyle.

The Era Living cost comparison sheet (which you can download for free here) clearly outlines the services and amenities included in the monthly rent. These may vary slightly across Era Living communities, so the cost sheet can be useful if you compare Era Living communities to each other, not just your current home.

You’ll find that in all Era Living communities, things like weekly housekeeping and linen services, HD cable, internet, utilities, fitness center access, activities and programming, transportation services, 24-hour staffing, emergency call system, daily check-ins and at least a portion of your meals are included in the monthly rent. Amenities such as parking garages, additional storage, on-site swimming pool, virtual golf simulator and other amenities will vary by community. Suppose you’re considering multiple Era Living communities. In that case, we encourage using the cost comparison sheet as a central place of information on common services, or better yet, schedule an in-person visit to see for yourself!

Our Community Health Director and supporting team provide professional and compassionate care services in the privacy and comfort of your own apartment home. In addition to ongoing case management, our team will work with you to develop a holistic, individualized care and wellness plan. We offer an extensive range of services, including:

• • Bathing, dressing, grooming, and continence support
  • Mobility, transfer, and escort assistance
  • Medication management and assistance
  • Dietary and nutritional support
  • Social support for life enrichment programs and events

Era Living communities are known for their lively social calendars both indoors and out. There are a variety of outings and activities scheduled, from exercise and health classes, to discussion groups, and game nights, trivia, art classes, educational lectures, choir and improv groups, language classes, and so much more! Additional seasonal activities range from Mariners games, shows at the symphony, scheduled cultural tours, and classes at local attractions.

When planning the activity calendar, the Life Enrichment team takes as many interests into account as they can. After each resident moves in, the Life Enrichment Director meets with them to talk about their interests and activities and create their resident profile. While it’s not possible to accommodate every single interest, the team works to create happy mediums and make sure that everyone feels included.

For anyone with a pet considering a move to a senior living home, the issue of pet admittance is right up there with location and affordability. At Era Living, we understand how important that relationship is for our residents and your quality of life. We welcome your pet to settle right in with you, as long as they are friendly and nonpoisonous.

When transitioning into an Era Living community, residents have the opportunity to access assisted living services within the comfort of their apartment homes as they age. Should additional one-on-one care be desired, some residents opt to engage private caregivers. Catering to individual preferences, we collaborate with hospice service providers to ensure residents experience comfort during the final stages of life. While most residents remain with us until the end, in instances where more intensive care is necessary, our transitional care team assists in identifying suitable alternatives, such as adult family homes or skilled nursing homes.

At two of our communities, Ida Culver House Broadview and The Gardens at Town Square, we offer secured memory care. Era Living Memory Care is provided in a secure, home-like environment, called The Terrace. Offering private apartments, allowing residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia to maintain their dignity and independence. Residents of The Terrace can participate in rich and engaging life enrichment activities every day. Our compassionate team uses the Best Friends ™ approach to build meaningful relationships that help residents feel valued, connected, and at ease. You can find more information on Memory Care on our website at www.eraliving.com/memorycare

Era Living understands that when seniors choose to stop driving, they still need to feel independent and self-sufficient. That’s why we provide our own shuttle service to take residents on group outings, whether it’s running errands or a city adventure. Many of our communities provide free transportation services for select locations and times. And all of our communities offer additional private transportation services for a fee.

With all the ways to get around, Seattle seniors have plenty of options for exploring, being productive, and taking care of themselves. The staff at Era Living retirement communities are also here to answer questions about transportation and other aspects of senior living.

We’re delighted to have visitors enriching the lives of our residents and adding to the vibrant atmosphere. To ensure everyone’s safety and comfort, we kindly ask that all guests register at our reception upon arrival.

For guests planning to stay with you for more than fourteen consecutive days, we kindly ask that you seek approval from our team. Additionally, guests are not permitted to stay in your residence in your absence without prior approval. We believe it’s important to uphold these standards to ensure the safety and security of all our residents.

To maintain a balance and ensure fair access to amenities, we kindly request that any guest’s stay not exceed forty-five days within a twelve-month period.

Discover the joy of personalizing your space in a retirement community that values your individuality. Let your style shine as you create a cozy haven tailored to your tastes. Because home is not just a place, it’s an expression of you. We welcome you to a community where your story continues, surrounded by the warmth of a space that feels uniquely yours.

We understand that circumstances may change, and should you decide to move out, we’ll be sad to see you go. Our priority is to ensure a smooth transition for you, and we’re here to support you in any way we can.

Since we operate on a month-to-month lease structure, we kindly request a written notice at least twenty (20) days prior to the end of any given month. This allows us to make necessary arrangements and assist you effectively.

Security and safety of our residents is of the utmost importance in our communities. Era Living senior living communities will contain a fire alarm system, fire sprinklers, smoke detectors, fire-safety doors, a resident emergency call system, and communications systems. And you can rest assured that The Community will meet or exceed state standards for emergency food and water supply. Other notable peace of mind measures are having staff available 24 hours a day, wellness clinics on-site, and emergency protocols in place.