Frequently Asked Questions

A Life Plan Community is a residential setting for older adults who value independence and active engagement with access to long-term care, short-term rehabilitation, assisted living, and memory care should they need these services. The beauty of this concept is best illustrated if and when residents require assistance. As needs change, residents are secure in the knowledge that high-quality supportive services and care are available, when needed, in an engaging, professionally staffed, on-site environment.

Each Ingleside community, including Ingleside at Rock Creek, Westminster at Lake Ridge and Ingleside at King Farm, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation. They are all members of the Ingleside family of communities. Each of the communities is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. They each operate independently of the others financially, but gain economies of scale on purchasing powers.

Independent senior living is a type of maintenance-free neighborhood where residents live independently in their own apartments, cottages or stand-alone homes. Residents need little to no additional help with daily living and can take advantage of the active lifestyle, amenities and social opportunities offered at a community.

At Life Plan Communities, also known as Continuing Care Retirement Communities (or CCRCs), residents can enter the community in independent living and, if their health changes, move to a higher level of care, such as assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing. Communities typically offer a variety of dining venues, social events, activities, wellness programs, housekeeping, maintenance, security, and other services. Learn more about Ingleside's Life Plan Communities.

Some key qualities to look for: not-for-profit status, a full continuum of care, longevity of staff, high-quality rankings, lots of programs and amenities, and friendly residents and staff. It’s also important to ask if the community has a benevolence fund to ensure that residents who run out of funds through no fault of their own will always have a home there. You can learn more about our benevolence fund, offered through the Ingleside Foundation, here. You also want to find a community that fits your needs — whether you prefer an urban area or the country, a high-rise or a one-story building, a large resident population or a smaller, more intimate size.

Yes, each Ingleside community supports an active Residents Council. The Council is instrumental in planning and interacting with management on many facets of campus life. Resident committees include Finance, Cultural Arts, Dining, Buildings and Grounds, and a Welcome Committee, plus many others. The Council meets several times a year and elects officers annually.

Ingleside community residents typically cover the cost of care from their own financial resources. A long-term care insurance policy may cover all or a part of the cost, while Medicare may cover a short stay in comprehensive care and rehabilitation.

The monthly fee is subject to change, and is typically adjusted annually by management and the Board of Directors. Ingleside communities are not-for-profit organizations that base this fee on the actual costs for services, staffing, depreciation and other operational expenses. A change in the monthly service fee requires 45-day written notice to residents.

Many people wait too long to move to a community. The earlier you move, the more time you have to enjoy the lifestyle, programming and freedom from time-consuming home maintenance. However, Ingleside offers a full continuum of care, so moving here can benefit you or a loved one at any age.

In assisted living, the resident can maintain independence while also receiving assistance with certain tasks of daily living that have become more of a challenge, such as dressing, grooming and bathing. At Ingleside communities, new residents are welcome to come directly into assisted living from their homes—they don’t need to be independent living residents first. Learn more about Ingleside Assisted Living.

When you compare community pricing to your current living expenses, you need to factor in all of the services you pay for separately when you are living in your own home, such as utilities, insurance, home maintenance and groceries. For specific details on the costs of Ingleside communities, visit our financial value page.

Your loved one may be struggling to keep the home clean, have fallen recently, or be neglecting bills. Other signs are losing weight, seeming lonely or depressed, or not taking medications as scheduled. Learn more about Ingleside Assisted Living.

A few of the signs that your parent needs memory care include: Not bathing or washing clothes, forgetting appointments, wandering, forgetting to eat, and showing signs of confusion or disorientation. Learn more about Ingleside Memory Care.

A better question is: What programs don’t we offer? Ingleside’s three Life Plan Communities offer an abundance of programming, including clubs to suit every interest, games, fitness & wellness classes, excursions, art classes, spiritual opportunities, concerts, theatrical performances, lectures and much more. If there’s something you’re interested in that we don’t offer, suggest it, and we’ll put it on the calendar!

You’ll want to visit at least three communities. Communities vary tremendously, and you want to be sure to find one that’s the right fit for your needs — now and in the future.

You should start looking for a community sooner rather than later. It takes time to research all your options — and if you own a home, you need time to sell it and decide which of your treasured possessions you want to take with you into the next chapter of your life.

One of the best ways to narrow down your community options is to ask questions. Here are a few to get you started: What’s included in the monthly fee? Is the community for-profit or not-for-profit? What are the meal options? Is transportation available? Are there health services on-site?

Yes! We know your pet is a part of your family, so all of our Life Plan Communities are pet-friendly.

A not-for-profit community uses any profits to enhance the community, programs and services for residents. A for-profit community operates to make a profit, and it is accountable to its shareholders.

Yes, each community maintains a list of depositors who plan to move there. If you are interesting in adding your name to the list, contact the community directly: Ingleside at Rock Creek, Westminster at Lake Ridge, and Ingleside at King Farm.

If you’re considering independent living, we invite you to attend an event, take a personal tour and join us for a gourmet meal. If you or a loved one are interested in assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing, a great way to try out our community with no commitment is through our short-term respite care program. Contact us to learn more.

For the health and safety of our beloved residents, clients, staff and greater community, we are continuing to adhere to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and local health departments. Learn more about our Covid precautions.