Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it time to consider moving into a retirement community
when you begin to experience medical problems?
Q: Do you have to be very wealthy to live at The Hallmark?
Q: When you move-in to a retirement community, do you
lose control of your assets?
Q: In a retirement community, do you lead a less active
life?
Q: To live in a retirement community, do you have to be
dressed up all the time?
Q: If your health declines, do you have to move from a
retirement community?
Q: If The Hallmark is full and has no vacancies, how can
I get in?
Q: Is it time to consider moving into a retirement
community when you begin to experience medical problems?
A: The fact is…the time to move to The Hallmark is
when you are enjoying good health - not when your physical or mental
condition threatens your independence. Living at The Hallmark will
only enhance your independence. By postponing your application
until after health problems occur, you're canceling out one of
The Hallmark's strongest advantages. Because, excluding pre-existing
conditions, our extensive medical coverage - which pays in addition
to your supplemental insurance - shares the expense of your medical
bills by providing payment of the Medicare co-payment or the deductible.
In short, this coverage will keep you from depleting your assets
due to the high cost of medical bills.
By securing lifetime care for yourself at The Hallmark, you will
not be faced with the high cost of receiving in-home care, should
you experience a health problem and not be able to enter an independent
living facility. You will also have access to our beautiful licensed
on-site health care center for a long-term stay, or a free 30-day
short-term stay. This is a particularly helpful benefit since the
cost of long-term care often is not covered by Medicare of supplemental
insurance. It is also beneficial since, unlike The Hallmark, most
other retirement communities offering skilled nursing care can
only provide such care within an off-site hospital environment.
Think about it, this kind of security - besides being a lasting investment
for you - is like a gift to your family, by relieving them of the responsibilities
that might otherwise come from your future health care needs.
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Q: Do you have to be very wealthy to live at The Hallmark?
A: The fact is…while we admit that The Hallmark is ideally located
in one of Houston's most prestigious areas and offers excellent
services and amenities, many people can provide for the Life Residency
Fee (sometimes referred to as an endowment or entrance fee) with
some of the equity from the sale of a home. Plus, many people don't
realize we have smaller apartments for those who either have more
limited assets, or simply don't need as much room. Our modified
rental plan is an attractive option as well.
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Q: When you move-in to a retirement community, do you
lose control of your assets?
A: The fact is…moving to
a continuing care retirement community like The Hallmark is actually
an excellent way to protect you financially. The Hallmark can
be of benefit to you over a period of your lifetime - especially
with our superb health coverage, which is designed to keep health
problems from depleting your assets.
Some newer operations offer lower costs to get you in, but remember
that newer communities must cover start-up operational costs (which
could be in the millions), and unless they can achieve a high occupancy,
future services may be cut or rents may rise in order to meet their
expenses.
Comparing our 900 sq. ft. apartment to a 923 sq. ft. rental unit
in the same area, you would equal our one-time Life Residency Fee
in only 3 ½ years by living in the rental unit. For every
year after that, you would be paying almost $20,000 per year more
to live at the rental community than at The Hallmark. Knowing all
this, why protect yourself only month-to-month, when you can protect
yourself for a lifetime by moving to The Hallmark?
Our corporation, Brazos Presbyterian Homes, Inc., is a name you
can trust, with over 40 years of experience in the retirement industry.
Plus, we are a financially sound corporation, so you don't have
to worry about having a cut in services or amenities in order for
us to meet our operational expenses.
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Q: In a retirement community, do you lead a less active
life?
A: The fact is…today's retirement community should not be confused
with the old adage of a "rest home." Our residents are
anything but inactive; after all, you must be able to take care
of all your own daily activities to move into The Hallmark. Our
community is designed to enhance your lifestyle, allowing you more
time to devote to the things you enjoy and that are important to
you, without the concerns of home maintenance or the worry over
personal security. Imagine - no time wasted waiting for servicemen
to arrive. Or, if you go out of town, no inconveniencing a neighbor
or relative to watch over your home and pick up the mail and papers.
As a matter fact, at The Hallmark, we have lots of ways to increase
your level of activity, including exciting social event and excursions,
group exercise, water aerobics and walking trail on site.
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Q: To live in a retirement community, do you have to be
dressed up all the time?
A: The fact is…while most respected
communities, including The Hallmark, have a dress code for dinner,
luncheon attire is more casual, and many people wear comfortable
clothing when attending exercise classes or running errands during
the day.
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Q: If your health declines, do you have to move from a
retirement community?
A: The fact is… while retirement
communities are not designed to provide lifetime residency, The
Hallmark is. At The Hallmark, you can have a home for a lifetime.
If you or your spouse experience health problems, you are assured
the opportunity to still enjoy life together, with the person needing
24-hour assistance residing in the health facility, and the other
residing in an independent apartment. This assures that the independent
person is not physically or emotionally drained by providing care
which he or she is not capable of giving. Or, if you're single
and ever need health care, you can get that care in the same warm
environment near your friends. You won't have to leave - and you'll
still have all the same benefits. So why bother moving to a retirement
community that cannot provide all the services you may need? Why
move twice, only to leave friends you've made and a home you love?
Make just one move - come live your life to the fullest at The
Hallmark.
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Q: If The Hallmark is full and has no vacancies, how can
I get in?
A: The fact is…because of the high demand for
retirement living; we stress the necessity for planning early
for your future. Part of good planning for the future is preparing
for retirement living. Everyone nearing retirement age should
consider placing his or her name on a priority list. Once on
the priority list, potential residents can refuse the apartment
indefinitely until the time is just right for them. Getting on
a priority list allows you to choose when it's appropriate to
make the transition from a large home with great responsibilities
to a comfortable, more secure environment.
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