In my previous article, as I wrote about the burden of homeownership, I touched on the idea that all of the maintenance and drudgery associated with owning a home can limit our freedom and distract us from what’s important – our relationships. The implication running throughout the article is that, after comparing the many hours associated with homeownership to the increased levels of personal freedom and leisure time that could be obtained by living in a continuing care retirement community, why would anyone choose to remain in their homes?

As the president of Liberty Senior Living Management Services, one of the objections that people have about living in a continuing care retirement community, such as Brightmore of Wilmington or Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall, is that it is simply too expensive.

Many of our potential residents have a misconception that there is a hefty entrance fee or an extensive financial commitment. Not so. At Brightmore of Wilmington and the soon-to-be-completed Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall, the monthly fee includes rent, utilities, housekeeping and chef-prepared meals. A host of activities and amenities are also included, as well as maintenance and numerous wellness and lifelong learning opportunities.

Taking into account that our monthly service fees encompass many of the costs associated with daily life, such as cable, lawn care, homeowner’s insurance, transportation, security services and entertainment, I am often surprised when I hear individuals tell me, “We aren’t ready yet!”

It makes me want to ask, “Aren’t you ready to live a life of true freedom?” The residents here are free to embrace an active lifestyle and a busy social calendar. Unencumbered by the chores of homeownership, they are free to enjoy their interests and hobbies. Some of the comments I hear include:

“If I had known it would be this wonderful I would have done this years ago,” and

“This is like living on a cruise ship, with great food, service and fun.”

Hearing comments like that make me proud of what I do because I love to make people happy, but I also feel a tinge of sadness, since the residents didn’t choose to come here sooner.

Stacked against the man hours and financial requirements of homeownership, it’s clear that living in a continuing care retirement community like Brightmore or Carolina Bay is an affordable option for seniors. We even have a cost comparison worksheet available to help people evaluate the cost-to-benefit ratio associated with living here. It is helpful but doesn’t take into account the amount of time – the most precious commodity of all – that has to be spent to properly maintain a home and pay bills.  

Brightmore of Wilmington and Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall were designed to help residents get the highest possible benefit out of the resources they have taken a lifetime to build. To learn more, or to get a copy of our cost comparison worksheet, contact me, Cindy Stancil, at 910-332-1783, by email at [email protected], or visit www.BrightmoreofWilmington.com. 
 
Cindy Stancil is President of Liberty Senior Living Management Services, LLC. Leveraging 30 years of experience in senior and assisted living, Stancil manages operations at four senior living campuses under the Liberty Senior Living umbrella, including Brightmore of Wilmington, Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall, and Kempton of Wilmington. Liberty Senior Living Management Services LLC is a division of Liberty Healthcare Companies, a locally owned and operated company that provides a comprehensive approach to patient care. Cindy Stancil may be reached at 910-332-1783, or via email at [email protected]. Visit Brightmore of Wilmington on the web at www.BrightmoreofWilmington.com.