Frequently Asked Questions
About Independent Living
- Are pets permitted?
- Yes, a maximum of two dogs or cats are welcomed. Birds and fish are also permitted. Any pet-related damage is the responsibility of the resident. Residents must agree to pet guidelines.
- Is there a minimum age for residency?
- Yes, residents must be at least 55.
- Is smoking permitted?
- Presbyterian Senior Living communities are committed to providing a healthy environment for both residents and staff. Residents, employees, visitors, vendors, contractors and volunteers are not permitted to use any tobacco products on our properties. We are pleased to join many other organizations that have taken this step and are reaping the benefits of a healthier environment.
- May an overnight guest visit?
- Guests are always welcome. We also have a guest cottage available for a nominal fee.
- Can I have DIRECTV® or other satellite dish service at my villa?
- Yes, depending upon where the dish needs to be located. Final approval is given by Director of Environmental Services. Basic cable is available to all residents at a low monthly charge. Residents can also upgrade, if they wish.
- Are residents in the villas and apartments permitted to have a garden?
- Absolutely! This is encouraged and is a popular resident activity. The Leisure Park is designed for
individual plots as well as other recreational activity.
- How do you assess my ongoing needs?
- We meet with each person when he or she joins our community to identify their unique health and wellness needs. We then meet periodically so that we are able to take advantage of every opportunity to promote wellness, safety and as much independence as possible.
- What happens if you are with us longer than your resources last?
- No one has ever been asked to leave the Presbyterian Senior Living system of care because they had outlived their resources. There is, however, an application process, which requires that eligibility for Medical Assistance and other third-party reimbursements be maintained. Divesting assets through gifts, trusts, or in other ways could disqualify you for this assistance or result in a longer time period before which you would qualify. We have an unwavering history of keeping our commitment to the people we serve.
- What kind of heat is in the Independent Living apartments and villas?
- Both the apartments and the villas have natural gas as an energy source with hot water baseboard heat.
- As a resident of Westminster Wood's Independent Living community, what kind of insurance should I have to protect my personal possessions? Renter’s Insurance? What about other insurances?
- You need Renter’s Insurance for the amount of your personal property. In addition, you should retain your health, liability, auto, and life insurance, just as though you were living outside of a retirement village.
- Must I be Presbyterian or a member of a Presbyterian Church to be accepted for admission?
- No. As a Presbyterian Senior Living Community, we enjoy the strength and stability of an organization that has served seniors for more than 80 years. Caring for people is not just our job – it’s our calling. It is our policy to admit and treat all residents without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, sex, religious creed, handicap or disability.
- Should I have Long Term Care Insurance to move to Westminster Woods
- While not mandatory, Long Term Care Insurance might help to cover the costs of Personal Care and Health Care services. Check the terms of your Long Term Care policy.
- What makes Presbyterian Senior Living Communities different?
- Presbyterian Senior Living Communities have the strength of a relatively large organization and the financial resources to provide the security that older adults expect from an organization that promises to be there for as long as needed. Our individual communities, however, offer a range of sizes and reflect our commitment to the personal touch. They are places where the staff can know each resident as an individual, and where residents’ likes and dislikes are recognized and accommodated whenever possible. Being not-for-profit gives our organization the freedom to concentrate on the needs of residents first. While for-profit corporations have the dual responsibility of providing care for residents, as well as satisfying the needs of investors, we can remain more sharply focused on meeting the needs of residents. We believe that the ability to express these higher values also enables us to attract employees and volunteers with similar values.
- Can I upgrade my appliances, carpet, fixtures, etc.? Can I have my unit painted a different color? Can I add a sunroom, screened porch or cover my deck? If yes, must I contract for the work myself or would it be done through Westminster Woods?
- Upgrades, remodeling and additions to residents’ units must be presented in writing to our Executive Director and, if approved, will be at the resident’s expense. Such upgrades will be priced, given to the resident in writing and, upon agreement, will be performed by Westminster Woods.
- Do I have to be a member of Westminster Woods to be considered for admission to the Personal Care residence?
- No. Our current residents, however, have priority should they need additional care. Call for availability.
- I see that you are now offering Personal Care instead of Assisted Living. What is the difference?
- Historically, Pennsylvania has only had a licensure category for personal care homes, however, they allowed all personal care providers to use the term "assisted living" to describe the services they provide. Based on new regulations, we must revise all promotional, signage, and other materials to reflect a change in terminology from "assisted living" to "personal care". Please be aware this change in terminology is due to a change in state licensure and does not involve a change in our operations, staffing, programs or services. Westminster Woods Huntingdon staff and volunteers remain committed to striving for the high quality care and service that residents have come to expect and enjoy.
- Do you permit hunting and/or heirloom firearms?
- Liability is an issue regarding the storing or displaying of weapons on site. We permit those which
are disengaged and are certified as not being able to be fired.
- Are criminal background checks conducted?
- We are committed to the safety of all of our residents. Criminal background checks have historically been routinely conducted for all staff prior to hiring. In addition, criminal background checks are conducted during the application process for independent living residents to identify felony convictions which may interfere with the health, safety and right to peaceful enjoyment of other community residents.
- Are there additional costs/fees other than the monthly fees, cost to move in and telephone bill? Any hidden fees similar to condo or maintenance fees?
- There are no hidden charges. Naturally, if a resident chooses to upgrade appliances, add an extra
room or sunroom, paint a room or entire residence or make other interior or exterior changes to the unit, outside normal wear and tear and repair for which Westminster Woods is responsible, the resident would need approval for such changes from our Executive Director and would be billed accordingly.
- Is full payment of the residency entrance fee required at the time of move in or can it be done in payments? Is financing available?
- The Residency Investment Fee is made in two installments for country villas and apartments and three installments for new construction. Final payment is made at the time of move in.
- Once a deposit has been made and I am placed on the waiting list, am I allowed to turn down a home that becomes available? Is there a limit to the number of times I can turn down a home without losing my priority on the waiting list?
- Yes, you can turn down a home that becomes available. The deposit remains good and can be applied toward the entrance deposit upon signing a contract. You can turn down any unit offered without losing your place on the waiting list.
- You offer several refund options. How do they work?
- The Resident Investment at Westminster Woods is YOUR investment in your best future. To accommodate residents with varying estate requirements, Westminster Woods at Huntingdon offers three different Resident Investment Programs. All plans offer the same level of service and accommodations and differ only in the refund schedule. In all plans, refunds are made after the villa is vacated, contracted and paid for by a new resident. In the event of co-residents, refunds are made upon the withdrawal, permanent transfer to another level of care or death of the surviving resident.
- How do you handle refunds when residents leave the community?
- Under all entrance fee plans, any refund is payable 60 days after the villa has been vacated, the resident has permanently departed from all levels of care in the community and the villa has been reoccupied.
