FAQs

Making the decision to move to a senior living or retirement living community can be complicated. Beyond the logistics of a move, there are emotions to consider, care decisions to make and often, multiple voices to be heard. If you’re wondering if senior living is right for you or a loved one, we suggest starting with taking a look at you or your loved one’s current lifestyle and whether it’s helping or hindering.

We believe seniors should thrive in their later years. That might mean a move to a home where maintenance and yard work are included as well as safety and security features. Or, that might mean daily healthcare support with chronic conditions or memory loss. Our communities not only offer care options but vital social connection – a key element to thriving in mind, body and spirit.

Our experts are here to walk you through every step of the process, from understanding when it might be time for a move to working through the finances, and helping you have the conversation with your loved ones.

If you’re unsure where to start, our senior living experts can help. We’ve supported thousands of families in understanding the options and determining the right decision for them.

For those exploring independent living options (sometimes called 55+ or active retirement living), we suggest taking a look at your current living environment. What works? What doesn’t? We’ve found a lot of seniors we talk to are looking to downsize their home, or are no longer interested in the upkeep. If you find your home is hindering your retirement goals, moving may be a good option.

For those families considering higher levels of care – assisted support, memory support or long-term healthcare – our team of expert health professionals are here to walk alongside you to understand which care environment is best suited for your loved one.

Contact our communities directly to learn more about what options may be best for you. 

Our life plan campuses are designed to meet your needs, even if they change. From complete active adult independent living to assisted support, rehabilitation after a surgery or injury, and even long-term nursing support, our campuses offer a full continuum of options to meet you on your terms and timing.

Benefits of life plan communities include:

Maintenance-free living – all senior living options throughout our life plan campuses include full home and grounds maintenance, many paid utilities, home security and thoughtful amenities like social opportunities, campus events and more.

Build-in savings feature – our entrance fee-based model offers residents a unique savings option. Residents pay an upfront one-time fee that’s either 50% of 90% refundable. The fee holds your monthly costs lower over time and when you move out, you’ll receive the full refundable amount back. It’s like a built-in savings feature that’s free from stock market fluctuations, housing market changes or economic pressures.

Priority access and reduced rates on campus – if you or your spouse’s health care needs change, you’ll receive priority access to other care options on campus in addition to reduced rates.

Peace of mind – if you find yourself in need of rehabilitation following a knee surgery or if your spouse needs more regular assisted support, you’ll have everything you need right on campus. You’ll skip the worry of finding new providers or wondering whether you’ll need to move. We’ll be right there with you through all of the details.

Social connection – friendly neighbors in your season of life is one of the most beneficial features of life plan campuses. Here, there’s always a card game to join.

Learn more about life plan communities.

Types of residents vary based on community. Our most typical senior living and retirement living options include:

Garden Villas – similar to townhomes, these residences offer up to two-bedrooms and two-baths, full kitchens, patios, garages and more. Many utilities are included in monthly fees as well as all home and ground maintenance, and many campus amenities. 

Independent Living Apartments – sometimes referred to as retirement living or 55+, independent living apartments offer complete independent living in an apartment setting.

Supportive Living Apartments – affordable senior living apartments with some light services and assistance provided on-campus. 

Assisted Living and Housing with Services Apartments – onsite care teams provide support with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) – mobility, dressing, toileting, eating, medication management and more. Assisted living is best for older adults who are managing a chronic illness or need an extra helping hand around the home.

Memory Support Apartments – dementia and Alzheimer’s support is available through our Pathway Memory Support® program. Apartments vary in size but are designed with safety in mind.

Long-Term Healthcare and Short-Term Rehabilitation Suites – Our private and semi-private healthcare suites serve older adults who need more direct and frequent nursing support. Health professionals are available 24-hours a day to support complex medical conditions or as you recover from a surgery or hospital stay.

We know it’s confusing. Senior living terms vary by organization, community and even state regulations. We’re here to simplify the process for you and your family. At Christian Horizons, we offer a variety of care levels to fit varying healthcare and lifestyle needs.

Independent Living—Maintenance-free apartments and garden townhomes designed for active older adults without in-home medical needs. Sometimes referred to as 55+ or retirement living.

Housing with Services—Independent older adult living with light health-related assistance and some supportive services included in monthly fees.

Assisted Living—Full assisted support with daily activities included in monthly fees.

Supportive Living—Affordable senior living and licensed 65+ housing program for older adults who qualify. Services available to support residents with activities of daily living.

Long-Term Healthcare—Around-the-clock nursing support for those suffering from chronic conditions. This type of care is traditionally called nursing home support.

GracePoint Short-Term Rehabilitation—Expert care and short-term therapy support following a surgery or injury.

Memory Support—Expert support for those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia through Pathway Memory Support® and other individualized programs. Our Pathway Memory Support program responds to the experience of dementia by embracing contemporary best-practices along with enhanced associate training, creative approaches to care, and a focus on family and friend engagement.

Life Plan Campus—Life plan campuses and communities, sometimes called continuing care retirement communities or CCRCs, offer multiple levels of care all on one campus. Many of Christian Horizons’ life plan campuses offer independent living, assisted living, memory support, long-term healthcare and short-term rehabilitation. The benefit of these campuses is that if you or your loved one’s needs change, additional care is available right on campus.

Monthly fees at all our communities include a variety of amenities in addition to housing costs. The types of amenities vary based on community and care level you’re considering, so please speak with your senior living advisor for a complete list applicable to your situation.

Common amenities included in monthly fees are:

• Utilities (water, sewer, electricity, etc.)
• Grounds maintenance (mowing, yard care, snow removal)
• Home maintenance (repairs/replacements)
• Trash removal
• Housekeeping/laundry
• Fitness memberships
• Meal plans (for certain levels of care)
• Transportation
• And more!

Be sure to connect with your community for specifics what’s included in monthly fees.

When exploring senior living and retirement communities, costs can vary depending on services offered, amenities, care options and more. Paying for senior living also varies by community and care level. To plan for you or your loved one’s retirement living, explore your assets. Your assets—the value of your house, retirement savings, long-term care insurance, pensions and government program benefits like Social Security or VA—can all be added to your financial baseline. Other government assistance, such as income-based living environments and Medicare benefits can be used for certain times of communities and care levels.

Our Christian Horizons experts have helped thousands of families explore the financial aspects of senior living and can help guide you through the process.

The health, wellbeing and safety of residents, clients, guests and associates are our highest priority. The Christian Horizons’ approach to COVID-19 and other viruses includes complete infection control practices, investment in personal protective equipment (PPE), associate vaccination standards, swift identification practices and more. Learn more about our commitment to safety.

We know that understanding the terms of senior living providers is confusing. That’s why we’re here to help you understand the options and answer any questions you may have.

Independent living is a term we use to describe living environments where no healthcare support is provided. Sometimes, these communities are called 55+, retirement communities, or active living communities. Regardless of the name, the concept is the same.

At Christian Horizons, our independent options include our garden villa townhomes and spacious apartments.

Independent living is best for seniors who:

• Are interested in no-maintenance living (no more mowing/shoveling snow or paying for expensive home repairs).
• Don’t require regular nursing support.
• Are looking for more social opportunities with neighbors in your season of life.

We’ve also found independent living options are great for couples, especially if one spouse may need additional healthcare support in the future. Our life plan communities offer additional support options right on campus, so spouses can stay together for longer.

Learn more about independent living.

We know that understanding the terms of senior living providers is confusing. That’s why we’re here to help you understand the options and answer any questions you may have.

Assisted living is a term we use to describe living environments where onsite care professionals assist with what we call “activities of daily living” or ADLs. ADLs may include: personal hygiene (bathing, showering, grooming), dressing, eating, mobility, toileting and medication management.

At Christian Horizons, our independent options include our garden villa townhomes and spacious apartments.

Independent living is best for seniors who:

• Have a chronic illness that impairs daily life.
• Have trouble getting around their current living environment, running errands, grocery shopping or preparing meals.
• Need a bit of extra support and are alone much of the time. For seniors who find traveling to see family and friends a physical limitation, assisted living offers essential connection and engagement that helps residents live life more vibrantly.

We know that understanding the terms of senior living providers is confusing. That’s why we’re here to help you understand the options and answer any questions you may have.

Supportive living offers similar care options to assisted living – where onsite care professionals assist with daily activities. In addition, supportive living is affordable living. Financial assistance is available.

We know that understanding the terms of senior living providers is confusing. That’s why we’re here to help you understand the options and answer any questions you may have.

Memory support includes the care and living environment to support someone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. At Christian Horizons, our memory support program is called Pathway Memory Support®. Pathway was developed in partnership with David Troxel, MPH, co-creator of the life-affirming and acclaimed Best Friends™ Approach to Dementia Care. The program responds to the experience of dementia by embracing contemporary best-practices along with enhanced associate training, creative approaches to care, and a strong focus on friends and family engagement.

In addition to personalized programming, our memory support associates receive dedicated training and education. The PathwayPro achievement program enables associates to become experts in the subjects of communication and dementia care, dignity, self-determination and redirection, life story review, engagement, spirituality and more.

The Pathway Memory Support program is either offered though assisted living or healthcare (long-term care/skilled nursing) programs, pending the community.

We know that understanding the terms of senior living providers is confusing. That’s why we’re here to help you understand the options and answer any questions you may have.

Our healthcare and rehabilitation neighborhoods offer higher levels of support and care (either long-term or short-term) and are a great benefit of our life plan communities.

Short-term rehabilitation offers dedicated nursing and rehabilitation support following a hospital stay or surgery. For example, after knee replacement surgery, your doctor will likely suggest a short-term stay where you can receive dedicated, round-the-clock nursing and therapy support.

Long-term healthcare support, sometimes called skilled nursing, is the type of care you’d find in a traditional nursing home. Here, our healthcare team provides 24-hour dedicated care for individuals who need ongoing support.

Our medical professionals can help provide an individualized assessment to ensure you or your loved ones are receiving the care that best fits their needs.

Yes! Pets are welcome in many of our independent and assisted living environments. Though specifics vary based on the community you’re considering, pets generally require an added initial deposit and may be limited on size and type. We love seeing your furry friends find their new home at a Christian Horizons community.

Life at Christian Horizons was designed to best meet the needs of residents. We’ve designed our amenities and offerings around those that will help residents thrive in mind, body and spirit.

More practical amenities offer peace of mind and incredible conveniences like many paid utilities, home and grounds maintenance, delicious dining plans, and expert care based on your level of support. Enrichment amenities are designed to support whole-person wellness and include special events and activities, church services and Bible studies, onsite wellness opportunities, social clubhouses and much more.

Amenities vary based on community and level of support. Learn more about our communities and our CH Life approach to retirement living.