Retire Your Worries at Ann's Choice

Alan and Kathleen Pitt researched more than a dozen retirement communities before deciding to move to Ann's Choice, an Erickson Senior Living community in Bucks County, Pa., last summer.

"We looked at and visited 13 places" before choosing Ann's Choice, says Alan, who liked the community's proximity to their eldest daughter's family as well as the well-kept grounds and variety of activities. But he cites one deciding factor--predictable finances.

The community's pricing structure is made up of two components: the monthly service package and the 90% refundable entrance fee.* The monthly service package bundles the costs of most utilities; maintenance, including appliance repair and replacement; a meal plan at on-site restaurants; and more into one predictable bill.

For people like the Pitts seeking a vibrant, worry-free lifestyle and financial stability in retirement, Ann's Choice offers the perfect solution.

Great value

Alan and Kathleen, who moved from a four-bedroom house with a yard, appreciate how the package has simplified their lifestyle.

"Eliminating utility expenses was very germane, and we're no longer making multiple expensive grocery runs. Instead, we can eat an evening meal in any of the six dining [venues], and the food is consistently excellent," says Alan. "Similarly, our incidentals for cleaning and stocking for home maintenance functions are nearly nil, and I don't have any of the regular house repair work to do!"

"When prospective residents compare the monthly expenditures of living in their current homes to the monthly service package and everything it includes, most find the costs to be relative," explains Sales Director Ryan Doherty. "But the difference is that the lifestyle at Ann's Choice adds so much more value per dollar."

Alan adds, "The fact that I have several dozen activities I can participate in, and that I can choose what level of engagement I want, is the maximum flexibility I could wish for. We felt it important that we have more social contact with people than we were getting in our house. Now, we have the option to meet new people and make new friends."

The Pitts note that the on-site medical center adds even more value--and convenience. "Our primary care physician is full-time, located just five minutes across the courtyard," says Alan.

Peace of mind

The couple's financial stability is further strengthened by the industry-leading, 90% refundable entrance fee--the heart of the community's pricing structure. The entrance fee, collected as part of the residency process, will go back to you or your beneficiaries if or when you leave the community.

"The fact that the Ann's Choice contract promised to repay 90% of our entrance fee to our estate when we no longer live here was a significant factor," Alan notes.

"Residents have the ability to access those funds, should the need arise. So, if you never utilize it for higher levels of care in the future, for example, the entrance fee is indeed 90% refundable," explains Ann's Choice Finance Director Tom Walsh. "Knowing that those funds are available, if needed, provides peace of mind to our residents."

Long-term stability

Erickson Senior Living ensures that affordability and quality remain hand in hand.

"Given the size of the organization, we are able to have tremendous buying power for items such as food, utilities, and residence refurbishment supplies," says Walsh. "This allows for better pricing for residents."

Walsh also points to reinvestment in the community: "We recently renovated the Keystone Clubhouse, and now we're beginning the same process in the Liberty Clubhouse. Then, we'll move to the Village Clubhouse."

Advice for others

For those considering a move to Ann's Choice, Alan recommends creating a side-by-side comparison.

"The costs for our house were down the left-hand column and the expenses we'd have in the new place were on the right-hand side. With Ann's Choice, I was amazed at what didn't appear in the right-hand column," he shares. "Living here, the costs are essentially fixed--but for the annual inflation rate. Any other expenses are pretty much discretionary."

Ultimately, the Pitts' research and decision paid off. "Do we feel like we're getting good value for our money here? Yes, we do!"

"We're proud to offer an affordable, predictable financial model that supports an active, fulfilling retirement," says Doherty.

Request more information today to learn more about the financial benefits of moving to Ann's Choice.

*As per the Residence and Care agreement.

By Julia Collins