THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, ApRil 12, 2024 Page 19 Sa nir Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller Choosing a Senior Community That Offers All Levels of Care Dear Savvy Senior, Can you help me identify some good senior living communities that off ers all levels of housing and care from independent living to nursing home care? I am in my late seventies and know I need to downsize from my current house, but I want my next move to be my last. One Move Mary Dear Mary, If you want your next move to be your last, an all-inclusive retirement community – also known as a continuing-care retirement community (or CCRC) – is a great option to consider. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you locate one. What are CCRCs? CCRCs are diff erent from other types of senior housing because they provide all levels of housing, services and care in one convenient location. While the appearance and services of CCRCs can vary greatly, most provide apartments or sometimes single-family homes for active independent seniors. In addition, they also off er onsite assisted living for seniors who require help with basic living tasks like bathing, dressing or going to the bathroom, and nursing home care for residents when their health declines. CCRCs also provide a variety of resort-style amenities and services that include community dining halls, exercise facilities, housekeeping, and transportation, as well as many social and recreational activities. But be aware that all these services come at a hefty price. Most communities have entry fees that range from less the $100,000 to more than $1 million, plus ongoing monthly fees that generally range from $2,000 to $5,000 for singles ($3,000 to $6,000 for couples) depending on the facility, services and the contract option you choose. With more than 2,000 CCRCs in operation throughout the U.S, fi nding a facility that fi ts your lifestyle, needs and budget will require some legwork. Here are some steps that can help you proceed. Make a list: To fi nd CCRCs in the area you want to live go to MyLifeSite.net and Caring.com, which provide online lists. Once you’ve located a few, call them to fi nd out if they have any vacancies, what they charge and if they provide the types of services you want. Take a tour: Many CCRCs encourage potential residents to stay overnight and have a few meals in their dining hall. During your visit, notice the upkeep of the facility and talk to the current residents to see how they like living there. Also, check out the assisted living and nursing facilities, and fi nd out how decisions are made to move residents from one level of care to another. Do some research: While on your tour, fi nd out who owns the CCRC and get a copy of their most recently audited fi nancial statement and review it. Also fi nd out their occupancy rate. Unless it’s a newer community fi lling up, occupancy below 80 percent can be a red fl ag that the facility is having fi nancial or management problems. To investigate the CCRC’s long-term care services call your state long-term care ombudsman (see LTCombudsman.org) who can tell you if the assisted living and nursing care services had any complaints or problems. You can also use Medicare’s nursing home compare tool at Medicare.gov/care-compare. Understand the contract and fees: Most CCRCs offer three types of contracts: Lifecare, or Type A contracts, which have the highest entry fee but covers all levels of long-term care as needed; Type B, or modifi ed contracts that have lower entry fees but limits long-term care services in the initial fee; and Type C, or fee-for-service contracts, which off er the lowest entrance fees but requires you to pay extra for long-term care if you need it. You also need to find out what yearly price increases you can expect? How much of your entry fee is refundable to you if you move or die? And what happens if you outlive your fi - nancial resources? To help you sort through all this, consult with your fi nancial advisor or lawyer before committing. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. F ranko passed away way too young and very suddenly of pneumonia renal kidney failure on April 4, 2024. Franko loved playing baseball and the violin. He was an expert at computer technology and loved his many, O f Everett. Entered into eternal rest on Saturday, April 6, 2024 in the Brudnick Center for Living in Peabody after a short illness, surrounded by close family. She was 88 years old, born in Vittorito, Italy and after moving to this country at 16, made Everett her home for most of her life. She was a dedicated homemaker taking care of her four boys. She was the beloved wife of the late Michele “Mike” DiFelice who passed away in 2003; dear and devoted mother of Pasquale M. “Pat” DiFelice of Peabody, Frank DiFelice and his wife, Annette of Saugus, Mark DiFelice and his signifi cant other, Laurie Bono of Peabody and Steven DiFelice and his wife, Tara of Peabody; the dear sister of Filomena Valeri Civitareale of Brazil; and loving Nana of Jillian DiFelice, Ariana DiFelice, Christina DiFelice, Michael DiFelice, Ava DiFelice and Lauren DiFelice. Relatives and friends were invited to attend Ada’s visiting hours in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, Everett, Wednesday, April 10. Her funeral service was in the funeral home on Thursday, April 11 followed by her burial in the family lot at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. Francis “Franko” Lyons III nior ior OBITUARIES Adua “Ada” M. DiFelice many friends and his dogs Oscar, Elmo, Scooter, and Rosco. Franko was a genius in math just like his Papa Fred. He graduated from UMass Boston with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Franko always helped and supported his friends who were his family-and will be their brother in their hearts forever. He is survived by his loving Mom, Chrissy and stepfather, Jesse, and the late Francis Lyons, Jr. and his younger brother, Bailey; nephew of his most loving Aunties Patty Imperato, Anne Meola and the late Kathy McGee, nephew of Garry Meola, Joe Imperato, and John McGee, most loved cousin/ brother Anthony “Tony” Imperato and cousins Andrea Imperato and her fi ance’ Andrew Holmes, cousin of Johnny, Brian, and Katie McGee; Grandson of Francis “Papa Frannie” Lyons and the late Theresa Lyons, loving nephew of Kevin and Lori Lyons, Kerry Lyons, Jennifer Rey, and James Lyons, cousin Tyler Taylor and so many other loving cousins from both sides of the Lyons families. He will remain in the heart of his #1 fan, his loving mother, Chrissy Lyons Agosto, forever. Franko was her world and always will be. Thank you all for being a part of Franko’s life. He truly loved you all. Visiting hours were Thursday, April 11th at Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home, Everett. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to the urology department at Boston Children’s Hospital, in memory of Franko. Contributions can be made at bostonchildrens.org/giveinmemory. Or mail checks, payable to Boston Children’s Hospital, to Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, 401 Park Drive Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215-5301. Please include honoree’s name in the memo line. Paul R. Montalbano O f Everett entered into eternal rest on Monday, April 8, 2024 in the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, surrounded by his loving family. He was 85 years old. Born in Everett, Paul was a lifelong resident. Paul was a United States Air Force veteran and was honorably discharged as an Airman. For many years he worked as a truck driver for Local 25 Teamsters prior to his retirement. Paul was a member of Everett Council Knights of Columbus, Teamsters Union Local 25 and the North Shore Car Club. He was the son of the late Salvatore and Josephine (Mandracchia) Montalbano; the be - loved husband of Carol A. (Ferullo) Montalbano for over 65 years; the dear and devoted father of Lisa D’Ambrosio of Peabody; devoted brother of Stephen Montalbano and his wife, Joann of Florida, Margaret Springer and her late husband, Norman of Stoneham and Lillian Alberigi and her late husband, Gene of Windham, NH; loving papa of Ashley Hurley and her husband, Christopher of Wakefield, Amber Rowe and her husband, Michael of Wakefi eld and Dylan D’Ambrosio and his wife, Christina of Everett and loving great-papa of Gabriella and Zachary Hurley, Chase and Colton Rowe and Logan D’Ambrosio. Paul is also survived by many nieces, nephews and former son-in-law, Corrado D’Ambrosio. Relatives and friends were invited to attend Paul’s visiting hours in the Cafasso & Sons Funeral Home, Everett, Thursday, April 11. A funeral home service will be on Friday at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with U.S. Air Force Military Honors in the Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. In lieu of fl owers, contributions in Paul’s memory to the American Heart Association, 93 Worcester St., Wellesley, MA 02481 would be sincerely appreciated.
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