The Mayflower Navigator Summer 2016

MAYFLOWER inside this issue: PROTECTION AGAINST RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS The ABCs of Continuing Care WHY HAVING A SOCIAL NETWORK IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH Quality Healthcare: It’s Written in the Stars

A PUBLICATION OF THE MAYFLOWER RETIREMENT COMMUNITY SUMMER 2016

How communities like The Mayf lower

PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS

Introducing

NAVIGATOR For nearly three decades, The Mayflower Retirement Community has been an acknowledged leader in senior living. We’ve been a thought leader in our community, too – taking an innovative and creative approach to helping seniors take charge of their future and navigate the challenges that might come their way.

Over the years, those challenges have become more complex. There are more choices and more voices. For that reason, we’ve decided to transform our award-winning newsletter, Passages, into a feature magazine-style publication we call Navigator, which not only introduces you to the dynamic people who make The Mayflower so unique . . . but also takes a deeper look at issues facing today’s older adults as they navigate life’s later years.

We know that having a Life Plan for your future is a complex financial and emotional decision. Viewing it through the eyes of others will, we hope, help inform the process.

Let us know what you think of Navigator – and what you’d like to see in future issues – at TheMayflower.com.

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hen it comes to planning for the future, concerns facing today’s older adults continue to mount . . . and the questions keep on coming. How secure is Social Security?

Can I count on Medicare for assisted living or skilled nursing? Are Medicare Replacement Plans a good idea? If I need long-term care, how do I ensure that I’m getting the best quality? And the list goes on.

THE MAYFLOWER: A COMMUNITY WITH A PLAN

So many questions . . . and so many unknowns. But, while you can’t predict the future, you can plan for it. And, given the realities facing today’s seniors, you need to. Just consider: 5 out of 10 adults over age 65 will need long-term care sometime during their lives.

The median annual cost of care in a nursing home in Florida is nearly $97,000.

Medicare pays less than 2% for stays in a skilled nursing home/ rehabilitation center.

Medicare pays nothing for assisted living.

Medicare Replacement Plans may sound tempting and promise to cut through red tape, but they provide significantly less effective healthcare.

Purchasing tomorrow’s care in today’s dollars. By offering a pre-funded longterm healthcare component (in other words, purchasing tomorrow’s long-term care in today’s dollars), The Mayflower ensures that you no longer have to worry about being able to afford assisted living or skilled nursing care, should you need it 5, 10 or 20 years down the road.

When you move to The Mayflower, you are not only guaranteeing the availability of quality care, you are also locking in the cost at a rate far below “market” – a savings greater than 50%.

Ensuring access to long-term care.

None of us wants to think about having a catastrophic health event that will require long-term care. But the problem with not planning ahead is that if/when you do need it, you might not be able to qualify. Imagine needing rehabilitation after having a hip replacement or a stroke and not being in control of where you’ll go for rehab. If you want to make sure that this decision will be made by you and your family, you need a plan.

TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR FUTURE

That’s what motivated the Maraios, Bob, 72, and Linda, 68, to come aboard The Mayflower sooner, rather than later.

“My parents didn’t plan ahead – and

then when my dad suffered a stroke, it was basically too late to move to a CCRC,” says Linda. “My mom told me not to make the same mistake.

‘Don’t wait as long as we did,’ ” she said.

The Maraios took that advice and came to The Mayflower last fall.

“We don’t have children,” Bob says, “so we wanted the support, friendliness and sense of community that’s offered here.”

Linda, a cancer survivor, adds: “I’m okay now, but I’m also well aware of the fact that it may happen again – so it’s very comforting to have on-campus access to assisted living and long-term care when you need it. From the moment you have a medical issue, there’s someone here to address it 24 hours a day.”

Self-described “cautious and conservative” people – especially when it comes to financial and health planning – the couple take comfort in having a life plan in place while, at the same time, living life to the fullest.

“We’re making friends every day,” Bob adds. “We take advantage of the fitness center and Lifelong Learning classes at Rollins College. We love living in such a vibrant community!”

The ABCs of Continuing Care: Contracts at a Glance

When you’re evaluating continuing care retirement communities, it’s critical to know your “ABCs” . . . because not all CCRCs are created equal. Ask lots of questions and make sure you know what each contract option offers – and what it doesn’t. Because while it might seem like you’re saving money on your entrance fee, you could be spending far more down the road if you need extended care.

CHARTING THE RIGHT COURSE Dr. Jim Madison knows something about navigating uncertain waters.

A lifelong sailor, he prefers adventure on the open seas. Back on dry land, however, he appreciates the consistency and stability that accompany life at The Mayflower.

“The main reason I moved here was for the continuity of care,” says Dr. Madison, a retired orthopedic surgeon who practiced in Winter Park.

“Regardless of my levels of need, The Mayflower has top-rated services for each stage of the aging process. On top of that, I have the peace of mind that comes with being protected against rising medical costs.”

Aboard his 47-foot sloop, Don Quijote (Portuguese spelling), Dr. Madison relishes the freedom of sailing to places like The Bahamas and Florida Keys. In his villa at The Mayflower – surrounded by an impressive collection of nautical antiques – he enjoys the support of a friendly staff and welcoming community.

TYPE A Type A (Life Care) contracts provided by communities like The Mayflower offer the most comprehensive, turnkey package of services – including pre-funded, guaranteed, unlimited assisted living and skilled nursing accommodations at no additional charge – plus meal plans, services and amenities.

“I like the inclusive services offered

by The Mayflower,” Dr. Madison says.

“In addition to excellent healthcare, the maintenance and quality of food are a real plus, too. I’ve been immensely pleased with how willing everyone is to help out any way they can. Living here, I have the best of many worlds.”

TYPE B Type B (Modified) contracts provide a set of services (often at a discounted rate) for a specified period of time, after which you’ll pay higher monthly fees.

TYPE C Type C (Fee for Service) contracts offer a lower initial enrollment fee – and provide healthcare services on campus – but if you need assisted living or skilled nursing care, you’ll pay market rate . . . which can be drastically higher. Be prepared for sticker shock.

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A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP Central Florida’s “No. 1 Luxury Retirement Community.” Winter Park’s “Best Senior Living” community. The International Council on Aging’s “Industry Innovator.” These are but a few of the many accolades received

by The Mayflower in recent years.

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For Marilyn Molen, The Mayflower is a stimulating place to be.

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ere, residents enjoy a lifestyle that’s second to none, with internal surveys consistently revealing high marks in areas such as quality of services, range of amenities and friendliness of staff. In the most recent survey conducted in November 2015, the community tallied a 97% overall satisfaction score.

“Living here is a source of pride,” says Marilyn Molen, former dean of nursing at Metropolitan State University in Minnesota. “It’s a very caring community, and we have access to numerous activities that provide physical, mental and spiritual stimulation. The Mayflower also plays a leadership role in Winter Park.”

For example, in 2011, Rollins College and The Mayflower began collaborating on an intergenerational enrichment series known as Live and Learn. Two years later, Rollins used the program as the model to launch its highly popular Center for Lifelong Learning, which has grown to include more than 130 classes for adults aged 50 and over.

Dedicated to values that enhance everyone’s quality of life, The Mayflower is a leader in causes that benefit local nonprofits. Named an “Outstanding Community Partner” by Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, The Mayflower also supports Second Harvest Food Bank’s annual Feed the Need campaign.

The Reverend Dr. Richard Greatwood and his wife, Diane, recognize the leadership role that The Mayflower plays – both among other CCRCs and in the local community.

“After looking at many options, we decided that The Mayflower provided

Since moving to The Mayflower, Dick and Diane Greatwood are more active and have more social contacts.

“It’s grand!” they say. the best care possible,” says Dick, a semi-retired elder law attorney, professor and Episcopal priest.

“The whole setup is grand!”

Avid walkers with outgoing personalities, the Greatwoods have cultivated new friendships through The Mayflower’s wide range of activities – from exercise classes and music groups to academic courses and cultural excursions.

This spring, they joined a group of fellow residents to participate in the annual Walk for Parkinson’s fundraiser. The Mayflower was one of the event’s sponsors.

“We are more active and have more social contacts than before we moved here,” Dick adds. “When I look back at our life before The Mayflower and compare it to now, it’s night and day.

So many seniors want to ‘age in place,’ and for most their first option is to stay in their own home. But, that becomes more and more burdensome. Moving here was a very attractive option.

It’s wonderful . . . it really is.”

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haring a smile with friends is wonderful medicine for the soul.

A hearty laugh is even better!

The benefits of social connectivity, in fact, extend beyond emotional well-being to impact overall health and longevity. Numerous studies show that having a network of friends can help enhance self-esteem and foster a sense of purpose, while laughter has been proven to decrease blood pressure, reduce stress and boost immunity to disease.

Going through life alone, on the other hand, is fundamentally harder than being with others. As the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health has concluded, “Humans appear to be hard-wired to need strong social ties.”

At The Mayflower, residents thrive in a stimulating community designed to promote social engagement at all levels.

From informal get-togethers to structured

Why having a

STRONG SOCIAL NETWORK is good for your health

group activities, this is where new friendships are built and where meaningful connections are made.

“I’m in a much better place, health-wise, since I moved here,” says Sally Hall, who came to The Mayflower last spring, a few years after her husband passed away.

“There are opportunities to socialize in so many different settings. Whether I’m painting in my watercolor group, singing in the chorus or working out in a water

aerobics class, I’ve found that becoming involved in things keeps me much happier.”

Dr. Jennifer L. Smith, senior research manager at Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging, writes that happier people tend to have better physical health while experiencing less depression, anxiety and stress.

“Happiness is also related to greater social support and stronger relationships,” Smith says, “and strengthening mental, physical, social and emotional resources can help prepare older adults to respond resiliently when they encounter challenges.”

Such ideals resonate at The Mayflower, where residents are accustomed to fun fellowship in a friendly setting.

“The atmosphere here lends itself to as little or as much as you want to do,” Hall adds. “This is an ideal place to engage with new people and feel good about life.”

Mayflower residents enjoy making friends and having fun. From left: Fannie Hillman, Sally Hall and Lurene Braswell.

QUALITY HEALTHCARE: It’s written in the stars

State regulators consistently rank The Mayflower among Florida’s premier long-term care facilities.

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ou may have heard that The Mayflower is home to the only skilled nursing facility in Winter Park that is both 5-Star and Gold Seal-rated. But what, exactly, does that mean? And how does our commitment to excellence translate to providing the best possible long-term care for older adults?

For starters, The Mayflower Health Center’s award-winning reputation is built on two criteria, as judged by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (FAHCA).

First, the state grades each senior care facility on annual performance measures across a variety of categories. These rankings are totaled to compute an overall inspection score, and the top 20 percent of facilities in each region earn 5 stars. The Mayflower got its first 5-star ranking back in 2003.

Second, the Governor’s Gold Seal for Excellence takes the prestige to an even higher level. Typically, only the top 3 to 4 percent of Florida’s 700-plus licensed long-term care facilities earn this honor.

The Mayflower has been a Gold Seal Health Center since 2005.

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THE 5-STAR SYSTEM

Florida’s 5-star inspection process assesses how well facilities comply with federal laws governing nursing homes that accept Medicare or Medicaid payments.

The overall score includes three main areas – quality of care, quality of life and administration – and takes into account all information gathered over the past 30 months. That means, year in and year out, The Mayflower consistently meets and exceeds the highest standards of care.

GOVERNOR’S GOLD SEAL FOR EXCELLENCE

Another critical credential in The Mayflower Health Center’s “resume” is the Governor’s Gold Seal for Excellence.

Every two years, a governor-appointed panel presents Gold Seal awards to facilities that: Demonstrate excellence in long-term care over a sustained period Promote the stability of the industry Facilitate the physical, social and emotional well-being of nursing facility residents.

Only about 8 percent even qualify for the first step of the process: owning a 30-month track record of outstanding state surveys. From there, a detailed application weighs a broad checklist of competencies that include financial stability, resident satisfaction, community involvement and staff education.

Before arriving at its decision, the panel conducts a conference call and on-site

DID YOU KNOW? At The Mayflower, all registered nurses, practical nurses and certified nursing assistants are Mayflower employees. The community does not use outside agencies to staff these critical positions.

AN INCREDIBLE SAFETY NET

Jack Williamson knows from personal experience the many benefits of living in a CCRC. visit, and then hears an official staff presentation. Only the best of the best make the cut. The Mayflower is among them – one of only 32 Gold Seal Health Centers in the state.

FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE

Jack Williamson, a 17-year Mayflower resident, knows first-hand the benefits of high-quality continuing care. “When we first moved to The Mayflower, my late wife was ill,” he says. “We lived in our villa for six years before she moved to assisted living and then to the Health Center. She received excellent care, and I was able to visit her every day.”

At the same time, Jack continued to work out of his home office as a tax accountant and remained actively involved in Mayflower programs. Today, he teaches classes on how to navigate computer software and mobile devices.

“I turned Meg’s care over to professionals who understood what to do, because I didn’t – and that gave me complete peace of mind,” he adds. “The kind of care my wife received – and the whole environment here at The Mayflower – it’s absolutely 5 stars or more!”

Like Jack Williamson, Nancy Klingler has had personal experience with The Mayflower’s continuum of care. She and her late husband, Bob, moved to the community in 2011, after he was diagnosed with cancer. Although the move was something they had planned to do “later on,” their decision was fast-tracked due to Bob’s condition.

“He wanted to make sure I was taken care of,” Nancy says. “And I have been.

You never know what will happen in the future, so you have to prepare. That’s what we did.”

Just recently, Nancy came to appreciate the facility’s outstanding on-site medical services even more. “When I needed to recover from spinal surgery, I spent two weeks in the Health Center,” she says.

“After that, a nurse and therapist came to my villa each day to help with rehab.

Everyone took wonderful care of me, and it was such a great experience. It’s even further proof that no matter what happens in life, The Mayflower is an incredible safety net that provides a great sense of security – for me and for our children.”

5-STAR FACILITIES

Orange and Seminole Counties As rated by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Listed in alphabetical order.

Commons at Orlando Lutheran Towers Conway Lakes Health & Rehabilitation Center Courtyards of Orlando Rehabilitation and Health Center Delaney Park Health and Rehabilitation Center The Health Center of Windermere Lake Bennett Health and Rehabilitation Life Care Center of Orlando Mayflower Healthcare Center Sunbelt Health & Rehab CenterApopka Tuskawilla Nursing and Rehab Center Village on the Green Based on overall inspection score as of 6/9/16.

GOLD-SEAL FACILITIES

Orange and Seminole Counties For Nancy Klingler (pictured on cover), moving to The Mayflower was part of a long-term strategy.

As determined by the Florida Legislature’s Panel on Excellence in Long-Term Care.

Listed in alphabetical order.

Conway Lakes Health & Rehabilitation Center Delaney Park Health and Rehabilitation Center

CHECK THE RATINGS FOR YOURSELF

Mayflower Healthcare Center

For more information on the 5-Star rating system, visit www.FloridaHealthFinder.gov.

Click “nursing homes” and “compare inspection ratings.”

Tuskawilla Nursing and Rehab Center

For more information on the Gold Seal process, visit www.FloridaHealthFinder.gov.

Click “nursing homes” and “Gold Seal facilities.”

Village on the Green Source: FloridaHealthFinder.gov.

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THE MAYFLOWER Winter Park’s Distinctive Retirement Community

1620 MAYFLOWER COURT | WINTER PARK, FL 32792

88141 PRAD FNL 6/2016

Smart decisions are informed decisions.

Learn more about long-term care.

Questions about

YOUR LIFE PLAN? We have answers!

Let’s chat one-on-one ... over coffee, tea, lemonade or a glass of wine!

When you’re planning ahead for the future, it’s vital to anticipate change and take control wherever you can. And that means learning as much as possible about all the options available to you.

But, in today’s world – with so many questions about healthcare costs and delivery systems – the informationgathering process has become more complicated and time-consuming than ever before. At The Mayflower, we can help simplify matters.

From Medicare supplements and Medicare Replacement Plans . . . to what long-term care insurance does and doesn’t cover . . . to the ins and outs of continuing care, we’ll provide straight answers to your most pressing questions.

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR PERSONAL Q&A :

407.672.1620