50+ Lifestyles

A Discovery – Ridgecrest Has It All

By Mary Huebbe
Marketing Director at Ridgecrest Village

In the heart of Davenport lies a village where individuals thrive and lead a life of connectedness and engagement. Friendship, security, and worry-free living are provided.

One of my residents has compared her life story to what it could have been. When Jerri and her husband realized they were slowing down and unable to do things that used to be routine, they moved into a condo. Within a few years his health declined. He was in and out of the hospital, in and out of skilled nursing, until the time came that Jerri couldn’t take care of him at home. He had to be placed in a nursing care facility where he remained for two years. Visits were a struggle. Sometimes the weather didn’t permit for her to travel; other times traffic made it hard to get there. Jerri spent her time home alone and feeling guilty that she couldn’t be with her husband. On top of the emotional stress of being away from her husband, she was also feeling the financial stress paying for his care and managing her own expenses related to living in her condo. After Merle passed away, one of her friends told her to visit Ridgecrest Village. She thought she couldn’t afford it and kept putting it off. Finally, her friend picked her up and brought her to Ridgecrest for a lunch tour.

Jerri said she remembers the atmosphere when she entered the dining room. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, but she still didn’t believe she could afford living at Ridgecrest. She heard stories that claimed “only the wealthy can move in there,” and “you have to sign over all your assets.” After lunch, she sat down with the Marketing Director to discuss finances and then took a tour. Jerri was amazed at what she saw. She found out she was able to choose her paint colors and to make changes to make her new place more like her home.

After looking at her finances, she considered her options. While she could move in under a rental contract, she decided to move in under Ridgecrest’s unique “Lifecare” plan. She paid a modest entrance fee and a reasonable monthly payment which included many amenities. With this plan, she would live in her own apartment tailored to her. When the time came that she needed more assistance, she could transition to a level that met her needs at the same monthly fee, except for the increase of two additional meals ($290/month). Knowing what she had recently paid for her husband’s care, she realized how much money she would actually be saving. In the two years that Merle had spent in the health care center, she had paid over $150,000 for the semi-private room and that didn’t include any extras. In comparison, a resident with the “Lifecare” plan offered by Ridgecrest Village could have paid approximately half, in some situations, less than half of those costs for the same services.

Had Jerri and Merle moved into Ridgecrest Village together instead of moving to the condo, many things would have been different. Jerri could have visited him anytime she wanted without worry of weather or traffic. She would have found a support group that would have helped her in those difficult years. They could have built their own community that would have accompanied them through their transitions. When the time came, he would have been in the level of care he needed while she remained independent. Instead of paying for her to live at home in addition to his skilled nursing, they would have only had to pay the independent rate with an extra meal cost saving them thousands of dollars. Jerri always tells people, she waited too long, and she truly hopes others learn from her.

If you would like to visit and find out what Ridgecrest is truly about, give Mary or Karen a call today and set up your free lunch tour. You will be amazed at what we truly are!

Mary Huebbe is Marketing Director and Karen McCoy is Marketing Consultant for Ridgecrest Village in Davenport, Iowa. For more information about Ridgecrest Village, contact Mary or Karen at (563) 391-3430.