October 7, 2016

Susan Orred, Hill-Stead Museum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rotarian Rick Heath, CEO of Seabury introduced our speaker, Renee Bernisconi, Seabury's Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President of Marketing & Communication. Originally incorporated in 1876 as a home for the widows of Episcopal priests, it was redeveloped in the 1980s as a new retirement community in Bloomfield. Seabury provides services for individuals on and off their campus, and remains affiliated with the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut.

 

Facilitated by a new law in Connecticut which allows provision of life care services in individual's homes, Seabury provides a continuum of services to those needing assistance with daily living. Enrollment is expected while one is still healthy and active and there is a 1 time entrance fee. Thereafter all care is provided at no additional cost beyond the monthly membership fee. That fee is guaranteed not to change during ones lifetime and now stands at $459.00 a month plus a cost-of-living adjustment. That COLA is limited to no more than 3.5% if residing on Seabury's campus and 2% if residing in one's own home.

(In comparison, privately arranged skilled nuring care at home runs to $488.00 per day.) The program allows people to protect their assets and estate as they age, even when encountering health challenges.

 

Eligibility requires 5 years of independent living prior to inclusion and no history or diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, neurologic disease or degenerative conditions. One must live within the service area, Hartford County, though a second service area in New Haven county was recently established.

 

Seabury enables its members to age successfully in their own homes or on their campus. It provides health care, affordable coverage for that care and support for resident's social, intellectual, spiritual and physical needs. A variety of integral health plans exist which are integrated with Seabury membership. These were described as "A lifetime plan for life at home or life on Seabury's campus."

 

80% of people prefer to remain in their own homes though over 60 people have chosen to move to the campus to date. There are independent apartments ranging from 1060 to 1550 square feet and 68 new units are under construction now. Underground parking is available and the campus includes a chapel which seats 225 people. Rotarian Dr. Sabrina Waqar plans to open an office on the campus.

 

 

No mail this week!

 

Rotary Foundation chair Joanne Santiago recognized past president Gary Miller for a "Paul Harris + 7"award, signifying Gary's ongoing commitment to the Rotary Foundation.