Salemtowne

Ten Questions to Ask

here's no reason for you to make any commitment to a retirement community
without being fully informed. While there are many questions you may want to ask,
we recommend that at a minimum you should ask these ten questions:

1. Are you licensed AND accredited?
All retirement facilities are required to be licensed in accordance with their state laws. However, they are not required to be accredited. Accreditation is a sign that the community adheres to very high standards and is greatly committed to the well-being of its residents.

Salemtowne is fully accredited by CARF-CCAC, the nation's only accrediting body for continuing care retirement communities. Salemtowne's Health Care Center is licensed by the N.C. Division of Facility Services.

2. Do any residents serve on the board of trustees?
Any community that is committed to serving its residents will give them a voice in the management process. While resident councils are often created for the purpose of giving feedback, a seat on the board of trustees ensures that the resident perspective is heard at the highest levels of management.

Salemtowne has two positions on its board of trustees which are held by residents who rotate four year terms.

3. What is the financial requirement for application approval to live here?
Residents have a right to know the financial requirements of any community to which they are applying.

At Salemtowne, there is no set formula to indicate a minimum financial requirement. There are various types of accommodations with varying costs. Each application is reviewed on an individual case-by-case basis.

4. How often do you have rate increases and how are they typically handled?
It's reasonable to expect that rates will increase. However, persistent rate increases and the reasons given for them should be evaluated.

Historically Salemtowne has increased its fee structure once annually typically in June. Fee changes are approved by the Board of Trustees and discussed with the Resident Council's Committee on Finance. Notifications of fee changes are sent to residents at least thirty days in advance of the effective date. In North Carolina, you can look at a CCRCs history of fee changes in their disclosure statement. Ask for a copy when you visit the community or go the N.C. Department of Insurance's website.

5. What is the application process?
Fully understanding the application process and timeline for approval will help to make sure you have all of the information you need when you need it. It also helps to keep your expectations manageable during this period of transition.

Salemtowne's application process is described within this website. Go to the Admissions Process section.

6. What is a typical day like in this community?
By understanding what daily life is like, you can begin to understand if it meets your requirements and your ideas for how you want to live.

To get a feel for a day at Salemtowne, click on the Daily Activities section of this website.

7. Can I meet with current residents away from admissions staff?
Admissions personnel have an interest in presenting a community's "best face." By meeting with current residents, away from admissions staff, you can ask candid questions of a community insider.

Salemtowne encourages prospective residents to spend time alone with current residents. You may wish to share a meal with some residents or spend some additional time in our "Discover Salemtowne Cottage" to provide you with more opportunities to meet our residents.

8. What is my access to medical care on an emergency and non-emergency basis?
Every community has different policies about what health services are available to you under which conditions. If health care is one of your concerns, it's a good idea to be as thorough as you can in this area.

Salemtowne meets this need in a variety of ways.

You may always call 911 for local city/county emergency medical assistance.

You may activate the emergency call system in each of our living accommodations. Our emergency call system is monitored 24 hours a day 7 days a week by nursing staff.

For non-emergency situations, Salemtowne residents have access to nursing and physician services in our on-campus clinic.

9. How do you describe your residents?
The language that community staff use to describe residents will give you some insight into how people live and how they are treated. Be sure to ask more than one staff member this question!

This is a difficult question to answer at Salemtowne. Our residents are quite varied in their backgrounds, experiences and interests. For example, our residents are retired from a variety of careers such as:

Teachers

Librarians

Professors

Physicians

Writers

Lawyers

News Reporters

Clergy

For-Profit & Not-for-Profit Management

Community volunteers

And many more

10. What would the staff say are the perks of working for you?
A great place to live should be a great place for associates to work. Happy associates are often a sign that a community is respectful of staff and is likely to be respectful of you. Be sure to talk to community staff about their jobs. Ask them what they like about the community and dislike.

When our associates and residents are asked why they like Salemtowne, they indicate at the top of their lists:

1) Residents and Associates
2) Beautiful campus and facilities

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