In an effort to match our services to the changing needs of our existing and future residents, my staff and I recently attended a strategic planning retreat. Part of the focus of the retreat was to identify any questions and concerns that may be on the minds of potential residents, whether they are thinking of joining the Plantation Village community within the next six months or the next six years.
 
After an extensive brainstorming session and a review of feedback our staff has collected, we compiled a list of questions that potential residents have about our community.

1. What are the costs? How will Plantation Village serve the future health care needs of its residents? 
   
   Costs and the level of health care that is available are two of the most important questions that people have when they are considering living at Plantation Village. Our goal has always been to ensure our residents have the care they need – now and into the future. To achieve that goal, we provide our residents with priority access to Champions Assisted Living and the Davis Health Care Center, two of the highest-rated health care facilities in the area.
   
   As an added benefit, residents at Plantation Village receive a 25 percent discount off the monthly rate at Davis Health Care Center. Along with the fact that our staff is continually planning for changes to the health care landscape, which could include rising insurance costs and changes to Medicare, this discount helps provide peace of mind. Considering that some of the communities in the Northeast charge up to $8,000 per month for skilled nursing care, the 25 percent discount can make a substantial impact on anyone’s financial situation.
   
   Many of our residents also like that we offer up to 30 days of temporary care every year at the Davis Community at no additional cost, plus access to the Resident Care Center, which is open 24 hours a day.
    
2. What type of wellness program do you have? 
   
   People want to know that the community they choose will have opportunities for them to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. As an exclusive benefit for residents of our community, we employ a full-time wellness coordinator. This is part of the reason why our community’s status as a private, nonprofit community is such a huge advantage. Our wellness coordinator is available on-site to help our residents create fitness and nutritional programs that are customized to their needs.
    
3. Do you offer social activities or other options for social interaction? 
   
   Our existing and future residents want to know that there will be opportunities to connect with their neighbors. Understanding that socialization is a key component of a rewarding quality of life and an essential strategy for staying healthy, we offer a variety of well-planned activities. Each one is designed to foster great relationships and to help our residents get the most out of our community. We have a brand-new fitness center, a bistro and a bar, an arts studio and a full-time director of community life services. At Plantation Village, our residents have places to engage and many opportunities to make new friends.