FAQs
Want to know more? Here are answers to a few common questions.
You have questions. We want to answer them as thoroughly as possible. Of course, not every question you have will be answered below. Contact us to make an appointment – in person, online, or over the phone – and we will answer all of your questions. We look forward to talking with you.
What are the requirements for moving into Carolina Village?
To qualify for residence at Carolina Village, you must be at least age 62, able to live independently, and meet financial and medical requirements. Find out more about becoming a resident.
What is the benefit of a "Type A" Life Plan Community?
Our Type A (“Extensive,” “Life Care,” or “All-Inclusive”) contract means that you will pay an entry fee and a relatively consistent monthly service fee. Monthly fees may adjust due to inflation over time, but you will always be entitled to residential services, amenities, and guaranteed health care whenever you may need it.
This agreement means that you will have predictable future expenses, regardless of what life may throw at you. Your entrance fee is used to help care for you for the duration of your life and the monthly service fee continues as expected, no matter what level of care you may be in. You will hear us talk about the “full continuum of care,” which is what we offer – the continuum from Independent Living to rehabilitation to assisted living and/or skilled nursing, whenever these services are needed.
Other communities may offer Type B (“Modified Fee-for-Service”), Type C (“Fee-for-Service”), rental, or equity/co-op contracts, so be sure that you are comparing apples-to-apples when comparing retirement communities.
What contracts do I sign before moving into Carolina Village?
Prior to residency, you will sign an Occupancy Agreement, which is a legal agreement regarding the services and policies surrounding your residency. As a Type A Life Plan Community, Carolina Village’s Occupancy Agreement includes the benefit of medical services in our Care Center and/or Medical Center when you may need them.
How much does it cost to live at Carolina Village?
We know, we know… pricing is at the top of your list of questions. There are a multitude of factors that affect pricing, so we prefer to sit down with you to discuss your many options. However, we believe in transparency, so here are our current price ranges:
| Single Occupancy Range | Second Occupant
(In Addition to Single Occupancy) |
|
| Apartments | ||
| Entrance Fee | $210,100 to $538,400 | $78,800 |
| Monthly Service Fee | $2,542 to $5,730 | $1,511 |
| Cottages | ||
| Entrance Fee | $316,700 to $583,400 | $78,800 |
| Monthly Service Fee | $3,229 to $5,181 | $1,511 |
Prices as of April 1, 2024.
There is a $1,000 non-refundable fee to join our waiting list, which is applied to your entrance fee when you move in. This fee does not lock in the entrance fee, however, which is subject to annual adjustments.
Is there a payment plan available for the entrance fee?
Yes. Your entrance fee is due when you sign your Occupancy Agreement, just prior to move-in. If your current home is still on the market when you move into Carolina Village, we offer an installment plan. Then, 50% of the entrance fee is due upon signing the Occupancy Agreement and the remaining 50% is due 12 months from your official acceptance date or when your home sells, whichever occurs first. Our Installment Agreement is designed to allow for the greatest possible flexibility in paying your entrance fee.
Do entrance fees and monthly fees increase annually?
Yes, usually. Our entrance fees and monthly fees are subject to inflation rate increases, which typically average 2-3% annually. Fee changes are communicated to residents at least 30 days in advance of the change taking effect.
When does the monthly service fee begin?
The monthly service fee will begin on the date of your move in or 90 days after you accept the unit, whichever comes first. Our Business Office will invoice your first monthly service fee on a prorated basis based on your occupancy date.
What additional costs may I encounter?
Carolina Village offers a number of optional amenities that you may wish to take advantage of. These include covered parking options, additional meals, personalized catering from Dining Services, special trips and transportation, mailing services, and many more. In addition, you may find that you need medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, therapy, or other items that are not covered in the Occupancy Agreement. These items can usually be added to your monthly billing statement.
I have long-term care health insurance. What is the role of such insurance for Carolina Village residents?
We are happy to work with long-term care health insurance plans. The terms and details of your specific policy will determine how you may apply these benefits as a Carolina Village resident. Many residents have used long-term care plans for stays in our Care Center or Medical Center. Most policy benefits are paid directly to you by your plan or may be applied as a credit on your Carolina Village monthly statement. Carolina Village will help you file long-term care health insurance claims. Our administration will also review your plan with you and provide a benefit analysis.
Is Carolina Village affiliated with another company or a religious denomination?
No. Carolina Village is an independent single-site Life Plan Community. We are a not-for-profit 501(c)3 community, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, which includes two seats for current residents, as well as an active Resident Council.
What are the demographics of Carolina Village residents?
Our average resident age is 85.0. We currently have five residents who have celebrated their 100th birthdays and we have many who are 62-65. Our range is truly across the board from 62 to 103. At this time, our resident demographics are 33.2% male and 66.8% female. We do not catalog ethnicity information, but residents hail from here in Henderson County, as well as Europe, South Asia, and everywhere in between.
Without a doubt, we have residents from all types of backgrounds, who have:
- Lived in Africa, Asia, Europe, and all points in between;
- Worked in Silicon Valley, building the technology of today;
- Created illustrious careers in every field imaginable;
- Went to a little concert in Woodstock, New York in 1969;
And they all have one thing in common – A desire to create their own, active retirement experience, while still having the absolute confidence that they will be well cared for. Always.
Is Carolina Village pet-friendly?
Yes! A small pet is permitted in Independent Living cottages and apartments, after you and your pet have a brief interview with administration. Pets – and their people – must adhere to our pet policies.
How long is Carolina Village’s waiting list?
We get this question a lot, but like we always say, it is not about the length of the waiting list that affects you so much as it is the length of the active waiting list for the unit types that interest you. We have hundreds of folks on our waiting list, but the majority of them are not yet ready to move to Carolina Village. (Many are not yet age 62, our minimum residency age.)
A huge factor that determines your waiting list position – after your seniority on the list, of course – is what size and type of homes you are willing to consider and how much availability we have of those types of home. If you are only willing to consider a Clear Creek cottage, for example, you will wait longer than if you are willing to consider any of our cottages. Being flexible in your preferences will give you many more options.
We encourage you to join our waiting list as soon as you are comfortable doing so, for a number of reasons:
- First, your position on the waiting list determines the order that you will be offered your preferred home types. The longer you are on our list, the more likely you are to get your first-choice home.
- If there is availability, members of our waiting list have access to our Care Center and Medical Center, should the need arise before they are a resident. Residents are always guaranteed room in healthcare.
- For a small fee, waiting list members can access our wellness facilities, pool, and a number of activities prior to move-in.
I am 62 years old and I plan to retire in 3 years. When should I “go active" on the waiting list?
You may join our waiting list at any time. We encourage you to do so as early as you are comfortable doing so. Once you have reached age 62, our minimum age requirement for moving in, you may go active on the waiting list anytime you wish. Your active status simply means that we will call you with offers as units become available that match your preferences. Are you looking for an apartment? Cottage? One bedroom? Two bedrooms and a den? Sunroom? You can be as specific or as vague as you wish. Being active on the waiting list will give you more options as time goes by.
To go active on the waiting list, simply return your annual survey and indicate your preferred home types. Or give us a call and tell us you would like to go active. You do not have to wait for your annual survey to go active. From there, we will stay in communication regarding options that fit your preferences.
If I decline a unit offer, will my position on the waiting list be adversely affected?
You can always decline an offer from us, whether you do so because you are not yet ready to move or because you do not love the unit we are offering. There are no negative repercussions for declining offers. Declining a unit does NOT mean that you are “pushed down” on the waiting list. To be as fair as possible, when making offers we always go by your sequence number, which is determined by the date you joined our waiting list.
What health reasons could prevent my application for residency from being approved?
To qualify for residence in our Independent Living area – in an apartment or a cottage – a resident should be able to live independently without assistance or medical supervision. Residents must be ambulatory, either with or without an assistive device, such as a walker or wheelchair, and able to care for themselves. Conditions that would interfere with living independently include dementia or any serious condition that interferes with one’s ability to successfully carry out activities of daily living.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to schedule a physical exam with your attending physician, who will then complete and submit a medical report to Carolina Village on your behalf.
What is the process and timeline leading up to move-in?
We know that this process can feel overwhelming, but rest assured that we are here to walk you through each and every step, from touring campus and picking your preferred home to making sure you are settling into your new home comfortably.
Check out our Move In Checklist & Timeline. It is a great resource that outlines what you should expect throughout the entire process.
For couples, what happens if one person needs a higher level of care and the other person does not?
One of the huge advantages of choosing a Type A Life Plan Community is that you always know what to expect in terms of costs and you will never be subject to a huge, unexpected, jump in expenses. If one spouse goes into our Care Center or Medical Center, the other spouse may remain in the Independent Living unit. The monthly fee would remain approximately the same, with a few small adjustments. In the state of North Carolina, three meals per day are mandatory for healthcare residents. Therefore, the only cost difference you would experience is the cost of the additional meals and any nursing supplies needed for the spouse in the care area.
What happens if my spouse passes away?
If a spouse passes away, the monthly service rate decreases from the couple rate to the single rate. We offer a number of bereavement programs and services, as well, to assist during this type of life change.
What if I need assistance but am not yet ready to move to the Care Center or Medical Center?
We always coordinate your care with your physicians, moving you to healthcare only when necessary. We offer the services of our Independent Living Support team whenever possible, for tasks such as medication management. Your goal is to live independently as long as possible, so that is our goal, too. You are also welcome to employ independent caregivers to help you with tasks, as well.
How many employees does Carolina Village have?
The Village employs approximately 345 people to meet the needs of our residents.
How long has Carolina Village been in Western North Carolina?
Over 55 years ago, a group of locals came together with a similar vision – to develop a community in Henderson County that would provide great housing and superior care for people as they age. This would allow them to retire and have the peace of mind that they’ll be taken care of as they aged.
With this vision in mind and inspired by his patient, Mrs. Mignon Sullivan, Dr. Kenneth Cosgrove, a local physician, and members of the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce began to seek assistance from other community leaders. For the next 10 years, the group would work to form Carolina Village, which opened its doors in 1974. It is because of this group who never lost sight of their goal that we have the inspiration for our vision, mission, and passion.
Does Carolina Village intend to expand further?
Our last expansion, in 2019, was the largest in our history, adding 160 residents and making us the second-largest single-site Life Plan Community in North Carolina. (Don’t worry – You will see from touring campus that there are plenty of greenspaces and room to breathe still!) It was the last expansion that we plan to do on our 95-acre campus.
What ratings do your Care Center and Medical Center have?
Our Care Center and Medical Center routinely receive high rankings from the North Carolina Department of Health Service Regulations and the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services. Check out Medicare.gov to see our ratings. Our Medical Center has routinely been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a top-rated skilled nursing facility. While Carolina Village chooses not to hold accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), we do meet all CARF standards for care and service.
