Answers to Questions to About Independent Living in General
What are the requirements for admission to Independent
Living?
The admission process at the Hermitage includes:
- Contact the Marketing Office at 804-474-1816.
- Complete an application. This will include general information about the person and financial information. Include copies of power of attorney, advanced directive such as a living will and medical power of attorney documents. Also include supporting financial documents.
- Once applications are approved, physical exam must be completed within 30 days prior to admission.
- A nurse and social worker complete an assessment to determine appropriate level of care (Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Health care).
What exactly is an Independent Living community?
Independent Living communities can vary greatly, depending on
the community. The Independent Living at The Hermitage is fully
integrated into the overall community. Independent Living
residents have full access to all the programs and activities of
our community and services, including delicious meals,
housekeeping, fresh linens, transportation, laundry services,
therapy, and access to a Medical Director. And because the
Hermitage is a continuing care community, residents can move
from Independent Living, to Assisted Living, to secured memory
care at McGuire Park, to the Via
Health Care Center as their needs change.
How are Independent Living communities licensed?
Independent communities are typically not licensed. The
advantage of The Hermitage being a continuing care community is
that you can enter into Independent Living, and if you should
need Assisted Services down the road, the community is licensed
through the Department of Social Services, so you don’t need to
move. In addition to being licensed by the DSS, The Hermitage is
fully accredited by the EAGLE Accreditation Commission, The
Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC) and the
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
What Independent Living issues should I be aware of?
- Different retirement communities may define “Independent Living” differently -- make sure any community you consider matches your understanding. You should also be aware of how the community plans to provide the assistance you require as your needs change. And perhaps most of all, you should be aware of what things are important to you in order to feel independent -- Driving a car? Preparing meals or snacks? Entertaining friends? Interacting with neighbor? Getting out into the surrounding community?
- You want to be sure you are comparing “apples to apples” when you compare retirement communities. Is the monthly fee all inclusive or ala-carte? Does it include meals? transportation? housekeeping?
- Many people find themselves at a time of life when their ability to drive and connect with friends and families is diminished. This frequently leads to depression, poor eating habits, isolation, and other problems that reduce their quality of life. Independent Living at The Hermitage is designed to combat this danger by providing programs and activities that help residents connect with the greater community and enjoy a richer social and mental life. Many residents find that not only does their physical health improve on entering the Hermitage, but their emotional and mental health improves as well.
How do I choose an Independent Living community that is right for my loved one?
- Most people prioritize quality of care, community atmosphere and amenities, and convenience of location.
- When visiting an independent community look for things such as the residents’ overall appearance -- do they appear active, engaged, and happy? Is the staff friendly? What does the menu look like — lots of options? What type of activities are there for the residents to participate? Is there a high rate of staff turnover? What is the staff to resident ratio?
- Talk to the residents about their overall satisfaction with their living arrangement. Don’t be shy here. Most residents are more than willing to share their experiences.
- The Hermitage is licensed by the Department of Social Services and the Virginia Health Department. Visit their websites.
- Our warm, homey atmosphere is frequently cited as the first thing people notice about our community, along with our convenient neighborhood location. In the heart of Richmond’s historic Ginter Park, The Hermitage is minutes away from the interstate, world-class shopping, and cultural activities.
How will we know when it’s right to move ourselves or our loved one into an Independent Living facility?
- Typically, family members will notice signs of “slowing down” that naturally occurs as we age. Or the potential resident will feel like the work of maintaining a large home and yard is no longer enjoyable or practical. Or they may desire the freedom to travel without the worry of caring for their home in their absence. And of course, many potential Independent Living residents recognize that there will be a time when greater assistance is needed, and they appreciate the peace of mind that comes with knowing future needs are provided for.
- The Hermitage staff is skilled at helping residents and family members determine when to move from their own home or another community to Independent Living within the Hermitage. Before that decision is made, a qualified staff person will visit with the potential resident to conduct an assessment that will determine the level of service that is required.
What if I have an emergency or need help in my apartment?
Each apartment at The Hermitage is equipped with an emergency
call system in each room, including in the bathrooms. In
addition, The Hermitage has a comprehensive, resident-based
security system that can identify each resident by name and
location anywhere in our community. Each resident carries a
special pendent that connects electronically to our beeper
system. If an emergency arises, the resident presses the button
on their pendent, and their location and identity is immediately
identified. A nurse or nurses will immediately go to that
location. Staff members, including nurses and medical
professionals, are on-site 24 hours a day, ready to provide help
and assistance.
Do you have a wellness program?
The Hermitage is committed to enhancing our senior residents’
quality of life in every way. Our programming is designed and
run by skilled professionals including therapeutic recreation
specialists and board-certified music therapists, all dedicated
to providing holistic care for our residents. Daily offerings
include balance and mobility sessions, healthy eating choices,
water aerobics, mental-sharpening sessions, bible studies, craft
workshops, recreation, and physical strengthening activities.
How do you determine my level of care?
Finding the appropriate level of care for you is a key
ingredient in enhancing your quality of life. At The Hermitage,
each resident is an active participant in the team that assesses
and monitors their care level. Decisions are made with ongoing
input from residents, family members, physical and occupational
therapists, healthcare professionals, and other key staff
members. A formalized process uses multiple evaluation tools to
make sure decisions are in the best interests of our residents.
Do you offer a rehabilitation program?
The Hermitage offers full rehabilitation services on site,
with licensed physical, occupational, and speech therapists. In
addition, transportation is offered to outside rehabilitation
service providers when that is in the best interest of our
residents.
What types of supplemental services does The Hermitage
offer?
Because the variety of supplemental services offered by
Independent Living communities can vary so widely, it is
important to ask lots of questions as you investigate each
community. The Hermitage offers a full range of supplemental
services, including:
- Onsite salon and barber shop
- Onsite manicure and pedicure
- Art and craft studio and instruction
- Full range of exercise and healthy living programs, including water aerobics
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy clinic on-site
- Concerts and entertainment events in our Social Hall
- Cultural outings to plays, concerts & museums
- Shopping excursions to grocery stores, area malls, and other locations
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Community gardens with raised planting beds
- Community chaplain with weekly chapel services, bible studies, and fellowship groups
Does the retirement community provide easy access to
recreational opportunities?
The Hermitage’s central location makes it easy to get to
Richmond’s many recreational opportunities. Regular visits to
museums, concerts, parks, shopping and more are provided by our
fully-accessible Hermitage bus. We also provide days in the
country and other outings and day trips. And of course, the
area’s recreational opportunities are close by for residents who
want to drive themselves or with a friend.
Is the Independent Living facility convenient for frequent
visits by family and friends?
The Hermitage is located just off Interstate 64, one exit away
from Interstate 95, so it is easy to reach from all parts of
Richmond and the surrounding area. You’ll have your own spacious
apartment or suite to entertain your family and friends, or you
can use any of our many beautifully decorated sunrooms,
gathering rooms, and common spaces. Our central location is near
many restaurants, or you can enjoy delicious meals together in
our bright and airy Dining Room, or prepare something to eat in
your own kitchenette.
Is the community convenient to medical centers, shopping,
places of worship and other services?
Our convenient location makes visits to community services easy.
We provide transportation to medical appointments and shopping
areas. In addition, area churches and synagogs provide
transportation to and from their services. In addition, the Via
Health Center is fully staffed with medical professionals,
including a staff physician. And our beautiful chapel, with
inspiring stained glass windows, offers weekly worship
opportunities.
Is the community convenient to cultural attractions
(museums, theaters, concert halls, gardens, historic sites,
etc.)?
From our Ginter Park neighborhood, it’s a short drive to the
Virginia Museum and Virginia Historical Society, Science Museum
of Virginia, The Diamond baseball park, Downtown theaters and
concert halls, and the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. And of
course, with three major universities in town, there are always
many enrichment options available to our residents. In addition,
cultural events are regularly scheduled on site in our Social
Hall.
Is the community convenient to area transportation (public
transportation, airports, highways, etc.)?
The Hermitage is conveniently located near both Interstate 64
and Interstate 95. Richmond International Airport is just 15
minutes by car, and the train station and bus terminal are also
close by. In addition, two city bus stops are located adjacent
to our campus. And of course, The Hermitage has its own
fully-accessible bus, van, and car to meet our residents’
transportation needs.
Does the community provide services such as housekeeping,
maintenance, concierge assistance and scheduled transportation?
As a full-service, continuing care retirement community, The
Hermitage offers a complete array of services at no additional
charge, including:
- Housekeeping
- Linen service
- Personal laundry
- Meals
- Recreational and healthy living activities
- Scheduled transportation to shopping and cultural activities
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Emergency assistance pendant
- On-site convenience shop
- Full-time receptionist
- Library and resource room
- Exercise room
Are there other conveniences available on site if you wish
to pay for them (for example, dry cleaning pickup, salon
services, etc.)?
The Hermitage offers many additional services on site for our
residents’ convenience. A full-service beauty salon and
barbershop, with manicure/pedicure is located within our
building, along with dry cleaning pickup, gift shop and
convenience store, visiting podiatrist, and escort services to
appointments.
Does the senior living community provide a full calendar
of activities for residents?
Every day brings a wide variety of activities for residents of
The Hermitage, with customized calendars for
Assisted Living,
Health Services, and
McGuire Park memory care
community.
Does the community offer (or enable access to) a continuum of care, should a need arise in the future?
- The Hermitage in Richmond is a continuing care community, which means that we receive residents in Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Health Care through the Via Health Center. In addition, we offer a designated memory care neighborhood in our McGuire Park wing. Our philosophy of care focuses on the dignity of our residents at every level of ability.
- A special feature of The Hermitage is that residents do not need to move out of their Independent Living apartments to receive Assisted Living services. This provides greater stability and continuity for our residents.
For answers to questions about Assisted Living
Click Here
For answers to questions about Health Care
Click Here
