Frequently Asked Questions
About Independent Living
- Is there a minimum age for residency?
- Yes, residents must be at least 55.
- Must I be Presbyterian or Methodist, or a member of a Methodist or Presbyterian Church to be accepted for admission?
- No. As a Presbyterian Senior Living Community, we enjoy the strength and stability of an organization that has served seniors for more than 80 years. Caring for people is not just our job – it’s our calling. It is our policy to admit and treat all residents without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, sex, religious creed, handicap or disability.
- Are pets permitted?
- Yes, a maximum of two non-aggressive house pets, i.e., dogs, cats, and birds, are welcome. Pets must be leashed and have current vaccinations. Any pet-related damage is the responsibility of the resident.
- Is smoking permitted?
- Presbyterian Senior Living communities are committed to providing a healthy environment for both residents and staff. Residents, employees, visitors, vendors, contractors and volunteers are not permitted to use any tobacco products on our properties. We are pleased to join many other organizations that have taken this step and are reaping the benefits of a healthier environment.
- May an overnight guest visit?
- Guests are always welcome to visit and stay in your home for up to two weeks. We also offer overnight accommodations in the Stone House for a nominal fee.
- Are residents in the cottages permitted to have a garden?
- Absolutely! This is encouraged and is a popular resident activity.
- What kind of heat is in the cottages?
- Electric baseboard heat.
- What kind of heat is in the Independent Living apartments?
- Gas forced hot air.
- Is there a waiting list?
- Please call for our current availability. If there is a waiting list, you may place your name on our priority list by sending us the "Preliminary Application for Residence" and the "Confidential Financial Resources Record," along with a fully refundable $1,000.00.
- Do I have to be a member of Quincy Village to be considered for admission to the Personal Care residence?
- No. Our current residents, however, have priority should they need additional care. Call for availability.
- I see that you are now offering Personal Care instead of Assisted Living. What is the difference?
- Historically, Pennsylvania has only had a licensure category for personal care homes, however, they allowed all personal care providers to use the term "assisted living" to describe the services they provide. Based on new regulations, we must revise all promotional, signage, and other materials to reflect a change in terminology from "assisted living" to "personal care". Please be aware this change in terminology is due to a change in state licensure and does not involve a change in our operations, staffing, programs or services. Quincy Village staff and volunteers remain committed to striving for the high quality care and service that residents have come to expect and enjoy.
- Are criminal background checks conducted?
- We are committed to the safety of all of our residents. Criminal background checks have historically been routinely conducted for all staff prior to hiring. In addition, criminal background checks are conducted during the application process for independent living residents to identify felony convictions which may interfere with the health, safety and right to peaceful enjoyment of other community residents.
- Do you permit hunting and/or heirloom firearms?
- Liability is an issue regarding the storing or displaying of weapons on site. Guns and other weapons may not be retained or stored in Independent Living. Collector weapons may be displayed providing that they are certified as not being able to be fired.
- As a resident of Quincy Village's Independent Living community, what kind of insurance should I have to protect my personal possessions? Renter’s Insurance? What about other insurances?
- You need Renter’s Insurance for the amount of your personal property. In addition, you should retain your health, liability, auto, and life insurance, just as though you were living outside of a retirement village
- Are there additional costs/fees other than the monthly fees, cost to move in and telephone bill? Any hidden fees similar to condo or maintenance fees?
- There are no hidden charges. Naturally, if a resident chooses to upgrade appliances, paint a room or entire residence or make other interior or exterior changes to the unit, outside normal wear and tear and repair for which Quincy Village is responsible, the resident would need approval for such changes from our Executive Director and would be billed accordingly.
- Can I purchase housekeeping and transportation services apart from or in addition to my monthly plan?
- Yes, you can purchase housekeeping, laundry, transportation and additional maintenance services according to your needs. Refer to our At-Home Services program.
- Are the monthly fees fixed for a set period of time or permanent? What criteria determine any increases?
- Monthly service fees can increase annually (normally January of each year), and increases reflect operational cost increases, such as utilities, liability insurance, employee health insurance, etc.
- Is full payment of the residency entrance fee required at the time of move in or can it be done in payments? Is financing available?
- 10% is required at the time the contract is signed. Balance is due at movie in. You may wish to obtain a bridge loan from your bank.
- Once a deposit has been made and I am placed on the witing list, am I allowed to turn down a home that becomes available? Is there a limit to the number of times I can turn down a home without losing my priority on the waiting list?
- Yes, you can turn down an apartment or cottage that becomes available. The deposit remains good and can be applied toward the entrance deposit upon signing a contract. You can turn down any unit offered without losing your place on the waiting list.
- If I live in an Independent Living cottage or apartment for awhile, then need temporary or permanent medical care, can I move into Personal Care? How is the transition handled? What happens to my cottage or aparment?
- An advantage of moving to our community is that it offers multi levels of care. Residents can move through the continuum of care as needed and appropriate. If you move from Independent Living to Personal Care on a temporary basis, you would continue to pay your monthly fee for your cottage or apartment and the per-diem rate for personal care. If the move to Personal Care becomes permanent, then you have 30 days to remove your belongings and turn in your keys before billing is ceased for the cottage or apartment. You would then continue to pay the per-diem rate for your personal care accommodation. The refund of your entrance fee (if any) would be handled according to your original agreement.
- How do you assess my ongoing needs?
- We meet with each person when he or she joins our community to identify their unique health and wellness needs. We then meet periodically so that we are able to take advantage of every opportunity to promote wellness, safety and as much independence as possible.
- What makes Presbyterian Senior Living Communities different?
- Presbyterian Senior Living Communities have the strength of a relatively large organization and the financial resources to provide the security that older adults expect from an organization that promises to be there for as long as needed. Our individual communities, however, offer a range of sizes and reflect our commitment to the personal touch. They are places where the staff can know each resident as an individual, and where residents’ likes and dislikes are recognized and accommodated whenever possible. Being not-for-profit gives our organization the freedom to concentrate on the needs of residents first. While for-profit corporations have the dual responsibility of providing care for residents, as well as satisfying the needs of investors, we can remain more sharply focused on meeting the needs of residents. We believe that the ability to express these higher values also enables us to attract employees and volunteers with similar values.
- What happens if you are with us longer than your resources last?
- No one has ever been asked to leave the Presbyterian Senior Living system of care because they had outlived their resources. There is, however, an application process, which requires that eligibility for Medical Assistance and other third-party reimbursements be maintained. Divesting assets through gifts, trusts, or in other ways could disqualify you for this assistance or result in a longer time period before which you would qualify. We have an unwavering history of keeping our commitment to the people we serve.
- How do you handle refunds when residents leave the community?
- Under all entrance plans, any refund is payable when the apartment or cottage has been vacated, the resident has permanently departed from all levels of care in the community, and when the unit has been resold and reoccupied.
