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Bellewood - A LifeMinded® Residence

Senior Apartments & Retirement Community near Kirkland, Washington

Bellewood offers active, engaged senior living at our scenic Lifeminded® retirement community. We invite all interested persons to visit our manicured, tree lined grounds to see the finest in senior care and assisted living all conveniently located near the shopping centers, stores and restaurants of the Kirkland, Washington area.

LIVE ENGAGED ON SAMMAMISH PLATEAU

Our Bellewood Retirement Community sits on four acres and boasts a quiet, peaceful atmosphere while still remaining close to all the action and excitement of Kirkland. See our floor plans, rates, and a full list of amenities on our Apartment & Rates page.

FLOOR PLANS & PRICING

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HELPING HANDS IF YOU NEED THEM.

We offer a unique alternative to typical “assisted living”: providing access to personal assistant services, tailored to you—as you need them.

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LIFEMINDED REWARDS

Some things are inevitable, but at Bellewood, we don’t believe rent increases have to be. The valued members of our Bellewood retirement community have a tendency to live longer and better than they expected, and we’re happy to help our residents plan for the future with financial confidence.

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LifeMinded is in everything we do.

THE REVIEWS ARE IN!

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Kessa M.

I visited this community with my colleague as a performing musician. The me…

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Lisa F.

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Susie D

So warm and welcoming when I came to visit! Great staff and residents are l…

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Norris N.

Look so happy

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Airess A.

A lovely place to work with a wonderful family atmosphere for both staff an…

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Mariah H.

My grandma used to live here and now I work as wait staff. Bellewood is suc…

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D M

We found Bellewood through A Place for Mom, and moved my parents there in M…

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Janice Q.

Moved here in August last August from Iowa. Terrific!

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Jim M.

Great location they take care of my mom very well

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Steven J.

Very good

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Carly D.

I had the opportunity to volunteer at Bellewood to fulfill one of my colleg…

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Leslie K.

Staff who truly care!

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Shealyn Z.

Meaningful place to work!

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John

This is the absolute Best Retirement Community EVER!!!

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John B.

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Cindy G.

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SO, WHAT IS LIFEMINDED ANYWAY?

Living engaged and with purpose. Here's how we help our residents and staff live LifeMinded everyday:

Visit our Apartments & Rates page to view floor plans, pricing, and a full list of amenities included in your rent.

APARTMENTS & RATES

 


 

Proud to have 100% of our Staff & Residents vaccinated!

Learn more about our commitment to living LifeMinded here.

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ISN'T LIVING IN MY OWN HOME LESS EXPENSIVE?

Not necessarily. Learn more about the ins and outs of retired independent living so you can make the right decision for you.

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WORK LIFEMINDED.

When you join the Bellewood team, it's more than just a job.

OPEN POSITIONS

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PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

At Bellewood, whether you live here or work here, you're a vital part of the community. Here’s an introduction to a few of those folks.

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YOUR SENIOR LIVING QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

No matter where you choose to live, this information can help you make an informed decision.

Nutrition
Nutrition

NUTRITION

 

Diet and Nutrition in Kirkland Assisted Living Communities

Our bodies change as we age.

We are constantly moving throughout phases during our life. Our minds change, our personalities change, and our bodies? Oh, our bodies definitely change, don’t they?

Healthy eating can help mitigate and slow the effects of aging, as can living an active, engaged life. Our assisted living Kirkland WA staff members know this well. When it comes to seniors, poor eating habits and the resulting lack of proper nutrition can lead to health issues that contribute to or are mistaken for illnesses. This is important because healthy eating habits are a pillar of overall health and diet improvement can be used to prevent or treat many symptoms and conditions.

So, it stands to reason that allowing for dietary habits to change as we get older, and consuming healthy, nutritious foods represents a form of sound, preventative medicine for seniors.

 

How to Get The Most Out Of Your Food

There can be lots of obstacles on the road to achieving and maintaining a proper diet as we get older. Changes in dental or gastrointestinal conditions can make foods we once enjoyed less appealing, and even unpleasant over time. Perhaps cooking is a skill we never acquired, or were never interested in. Being a foodie can also be expensive, while many seniors live in food deserts where access to supermarkets and green grocers may be limited and stand in the way of proper diet.

It is true that we expend less energy as we grow old, though striving to remain active can help us offset this effect. Accordingly, our caloric needs decline as we age, and cause us to eat less over time. This is why it becomes so imperative that we maintain good dietary habits and ensure that we get those key nutrients into our daily meals. Common nutrient deficiencies include inadequate intake of vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, folic acid and niacin. By maintaining a diet of whole, and healthy foods; fruits & vegetables, whole grains, and high protein foods like meat, eggs, tofu, nuts and seeds, we can be sure that we’re packing the nutrition we need into the calories we take in. We can augment our nutrition with multivitamins and other supplements, but these should never take the place of healthy, nutrient dense foods.

Our senior apartments Kirkland WA staff and assisted living community strives to meet the dietary requirements of our residents by providing delicious, nutritious meals made with quality ingredients. Boring, commonplace meals consisting of the same foods over and over quickly become unappealing and dull, but expanding residential meal plans can be challenging and not always successful. This is where our independent living Kirkland community really shines brightest! Our nearby senior apartments Kirkland WA location features an onsite, full time chef who serves up nutritious, culinary works of art to our delighted residents.

 

The Menu at Bellewood Kirkland Senior Living Community

We’re happy to introduce you to Executive Chef Frank Blanchard and his talented kitchen staff! These artists proudly create their dishes based on Franks extensive culinary experience as well as feedback from our happy, well-fed residents! Frank and our other chefs use the finest ingredients, including seasonal herbs sourced locally and even from our own gardens, to add flavor and flair to their exceptional dishes.

Our chefs are specifically trained to be mindful of both the needs and preferences of Bellewood Kirkland diners. We pride ourselves on the fact that unlike most national senior care and assisted living franchises, our cuisine is not dictated by corporate directives, but rather by the likes and needs of our residents. Our dining staff works hard to provide healthy options like a fresh salad bar, each and every day. We also keep special fare on hand for special occasions like birthdays and other festive events.

At Bellewood Kirkland senior living, we focus on healthy nutritious meals, but we also want dining to be a part of a social experience as well. In the event that one of our residents isn’t feeling up for a visit to dining room, we offer fantastic room service options too!

 

Retirement Planning Kirkland - What to Consider When Comparing Local Facilities

There are some assisted living facilities that offer meals but at independent living Kirkland communities, meals are just one part of our basic array of services. They are part of your personally tailored lifestyle because your needs are our priority.

We consider our meal program to be an integral part of our Lifeminded mission to promote the health and well being of our residents, so monthly rent includes daily dinner in our garden dining hall. Our meal plan is flexible enough to allow our residents to take their meals when they like, in any combination, and made to their taste and requirements. Missed meals can even be “made up for” at any time during the same calendar month.

At Bellewood, our dining plan lets your tailor your dining to your lifestyle. That is supposed to be the essence of an independent living Kirkland community, and we strive towards as much independence as possible.

Staying Social
Staying Social

STAYING SOCIAL

 

Social Life At An Assisted Living kirkland wa Community

Our worlds get smaller as we age...

Figuratively speaking, of course. The reasons are many, but studies indicate staying social lowers depression is good for our heart and our immune systems, while being isolated can trigger feelings of loneliness that can send the body into a chronic stress response and down the road to poor health.

Shrinking social circles, poor health, life changes, and transportation issues can all inhibit your ability to have an active social life. But isolation is not an unsolvable problem. That’s why life at a senior living or senior housing community that promotes health and activity while making socializing easy and convenient, is critical to living a vibrant and engaged senior life.

 

Stay Social and Keep Your Independent Living Kirkland Freedoms:

Keep the best of both worlds at our senior apartments Kirkland WA.

One on One Time: Make a regular date with a friend for coffee or tea. Because it’s a regular thing, you won’t have to reschedule it over and over. Invite a friend to your home for a meal. Take your pet, or just yourself on a walk to somewhere populated like a mall or a park. Video and/or phone chats can be great substitutes if relative distance is an issue, but it’s well worth taking the time and effort to engage face to face with your favorite people or new friends whenever you can.

Don't Discount Those Group Activities 

Group activities provide a structured endeavor and regular meeting times and offer the opportunity to meet new people and develop friendships by seeing those people on a regular basis. One of the advantages of living at a senior residential community is this type of engaged social activity, but that’s just the beginning of the opportunities and you don’t need to be part of a retirement community for any of them! Explore options like religious or non-denominational spiritual organizations where you can take part of group studies, choirs, book clubs or volunteer charity projects and events. Not into big groups? There are a ton of activities ideal for five people or less that work just as well, like walking together, board games, or gardening. A little company can go a long way when it comes to keeping you healthy.

How Social Is the Bellewood Senior Apartments Kirkland WA Community? 

At Kirkland senior living, we take a great deal of pride in helping seniors expand their worlds, and improve their quality of life as their social circle grows. Living at Bellewood means joining a community. We define assisted living as working hard to make sure our residents can make the most of every part of their lives, and that includes being as active socially as they are comfortable with. We offer our residents every opportunity to build relationships that last while at the same time nurturing relationships that already exist. We strive to find new ways to help our residents find the connections and real social discourse that exemplifies living the LifeMinded way.

Connecting The LifeMinded Way

Moving into a retirement community can be a big change, and is often overwhelming for new residents. At Bellewood we make it easy to get to know one’s neighbors. When you visit us prior to moving in, we will take the time to introduce you to our staff and our other residents. Our hope is that by the time you join, you will have already started down the road to building the relationships that form the basis of our tight-knit community. Perhaps by the time you move in, you’ll already know more than a few of the staff and residents by name!

Once you’re settled in, our relocation coordination will be on hand to answer any questions you or your family may have. We have ambassadors who are residents themselves and always available to welcome our newest residents. Once its meal time, you’ll find plenty of social interaction as a maître d' escorts you to your table to meet your tablemates as we enjoy the nutritious meals prepared by Bellewood’s very own chef and his kitchen staff. In no time at all, you’ll feel like one of the family.

At Kirkland Assisted Living, we prove, every day, that senior living doesn’t mean isolated living. When potential residents see the opportunities for classes and including the ancient practice of Qi Gong which combines stretching, balance and mindful, measured breathing or our Pole Walkers Club that logs miles as group walkers, they know they’ve chosen the right senior care community.

Retirement life and senior care don’t have to be boring. We offer not only physical engagement, but mental stimulation as well with regular book clubs, including authors who visit and read their works personally, and visual arts classes like watercolor painting, beadwork, and driftwood sculpture. Our facilities and staff also offer the choice of attending classes provided by the Great Courses which include wine tasting, music appreciation and so much more! You can also join our Bellepoint Singers choir and enjoy singing in several public performances throughout the year.

There’s always something going on at Bellewood, and there’s always room for more - call us and consult with our retirement planning Kirkland experts to see if our community and plan is a good fit for you!

Making The Transition
Making The Transition

MAKING THE TRANSITION

Leaving one’s home is a big decision at any time in life, and can be especially emotionally fraught for people over 55. When the move involves going from an autonomous life to life at an assisted living or retirement community, the change can cause even more anxiety, even if more often than not, it turns out to be a positive one.

The first step to making the transition less stressful is communication as a family. By establishing a dialogue over a protracted period of time, all family members can process the idea, express their thoughts and feelings, and align their expectations gradually, as opposed to being constrained by a deadline. It is never too early to open discussion on the topic, and doing so can allow for an easier introduction of terms like “retirement home” or “assisted living.” Many seniors equate these concepts with an idea that leaving their home means a loss of their independence, despite scientific studies and anecdotal evidence to the contrary.

What Does Senior Care Mean? 

There are a variety of types of communities available that fall under the “senior care” umbrella:

  • Retirement Communities
  • Assisted living communities
  • Independent Living Communities
  • Senior Living Apartments
  • Elder/Elderly Housing Communities

These types of residential accommodations offer a wide range of living arrangements for the Over 55 demographic. Studies indicate such communities can actually assist seniors in maintaining their independence, and allow them to do so longer than if they lived on their own or even as a couple.

Senior living residences no longer need be seen as sad, lonely or depressing places to be. So many senior communities are now active, vibrant neighborhoods with a wealth of experiences available to their residents. Bellewood is a perfect example of a thriving, energetic community filled with seniors who are truly enjoying their golden years with vigor and independence.

The decision to begin a life at senior living community impacts the families of seniors, too. The choice to move from a personal home to senior housing earlier, when the family is in a position to decide for themselves can make the transition easier for everyone. It can be very upsetting for a child or proxy to have to make the choice for a parent or relative who is reluctant, sometimes very much so, to leave their home. Realistically, no one can expect to live on their own and take care of themselves forever. By creating a realistic plan as a family unit of caregiving team, its possible to make decisions that allow for a comfortable shift to a senior care community. This allows seniors to remain healthy and active and vibrant for much longer than they would with resistance to the idea.

Is Bellewood Senior Apartment Community At Kirkland, WA the right place for you? 

Bellewood is an example of a senior care community intended for active, independent seniors. Bellewood offers a wide range of services and amenities that allow our residents to maintain their independence as they age and their physical capabilities change.

Visit us, and see the LifeMinded difference first hand! Not every senior living community offers the opportunity to try them out overnight or even longer. At our residence, we’re so confident in the quality of life provided to and by our community, we welcome you to not only visit, but to stay a while! We believe our approach not only allows a family to determine if your community is a good fit for their loved one, but to also begin to make plans for an orderly transition.

Many people who move to Bellewood find themselves pleasantly surprised to live here longer than they imagined they would. We have a yearly celebration for our staff and residents who’ve been with us for over 10 years, we call our Perfect 10’s and they’re the lifeblood of our community and the Bellewood family!

The act of moving and adjusting to new surroundings is a stressful time for anyone. At Bellewood, our focus on engaged living drives us in our mission to make it easy for new residents to get to know other members of our community. With each visit, we’ll make it a point to introduce you to many of the people who live and work here. We like to think that by the time a new resident joins us, they’ve already become familiar with more than a few people here, perhaps even knowing some by name! Our relocation coordinator makes the time to be available to any and all questions a family may have about the transition. We also feature a group of dedicated residents who serve as ambassadors and welcome our newest residents.

Transitioning to life in a senior care community is a big step, but at Bellewood it’s a step you’ll never have to make alone.

Independent Living
Independent Living

INDEPENDENT LIVING

We all value independence. As teenagers we fought for the right to make our own decisions and live as we wanted, and it’s a concept that becomes even more important as we move into our senior years. The refusal to give up our independence is the number one reason people give when asked why they prefer to stay in their homes when moving to a senior apartment community would be a better move. The problem with that logic is that after a point, insistence on remaining in one’s home has the opposite effect on our independence.

Visiting friends and remaining active can be hindered with limited access to transportation. Maintenance and cleaning of a house can be costly in terms of both time and money. Independence isn’t supposed to mean isolation, but seniors who insist in remain at home after it’s become clear a senior care community has become appropriate can find themselves in such a situation. People who choose to transition to assisted or independent senior living experience fewer logistical barriers and often find themselves living fuller, more purposeful lives. Most residents at Bellewood Senior Living Community can attest to having less than thrilled at the idea of leaving their homes, but in hindsight, they also say they regret not doing it sooner.

 

What is an Independent Senior Living Community?

An Independent Senior Living Community suggests a community of active and engaged seniors who are able to liv on their own. Perhaps the community takes the form of a gated neighborhood of condos or townhomes, an apartment building, or a single, multi-room residence. Frequently referred to as a retirement community, retirement homes, senior apartments or senior housing, a key component is life in close proximity to a wide array of amenities, resources and each other.

Bellewood is one of many independent living Kirkland communities but we offer a range of benefits that would be cost prohibitive if itemized; This includes housekeeping, salons, transportation, security, a concierge, fitness center, and large communal rooms.

Add to that the huge variety of planned social activities, fitness and wellness programs, and meals prepared by an in house chef and kitchen staff. But even if you make your own meals, stay home or just keep to yourself, the peace of mind that comes of being part of a larger senior community is always a welcome feeling.

Aging in Place

Here's why Assisted Living Kirkland WA Is the Right Choice for you:

Most senior living communities revolve around the concept of aging in place. They are designed around the idea of providing increasing amounts of senior facilitation as residents age and begin to lose independence. Bellewood is designed around this central theme, and most of our residents don’t have to leave our communities as they get older and thus, they age in place.

Among other things, our senior apartments Kirkland WA facilities feature amenities like plentiful elevators, wide hallways and 24/7 access to caregivers. If immediate assistance is needed, every apartment features a voice-activated call system to get help to a resident as soon as possible. No need to find a phone or pull a cord, just a verbal command or expression of distress will be enough to send help your way. Our entire community is built of the idea of allowing people to age in place with a healthier physical, mental and emotional state from which to live and if need be, recuperate.

Is the Bellewood Senior Living Community the right place for you?

Each one of our residents is unique. So too, is every senior care and independent living community. While most are owned by corporations, Bellewood is a family-owned community in our 30th year of service to the community. We are proud of the longevity of our residents and our staff and the healthy, vibrant community we’ve built. We invite you to visit Bellewood and see the Lifeminded approach to senior care for yourself. We know moving to an independent care facility is a big step, so we want you to take your time and really get to know the Bellewood family. No hard sell, just a chance to see our approach to senior care at work. Meet our staff, our residents, have a meal or even spend a few days in one of the guest apartments we reserve for the families of residents who visit from out of state. We know you will find that Bellewood Retirement Community is the right place for you and your loved one.

Fitness
Fitness

FITNESS: SOUND OF BODY, SOUND OF MIND

An understanding of the relationship between physical activity, nutrition, and how they work together with your body to help you remain active as you age is an important thing to have. Taking ownership of the responsibility for one’s own health and well-being means maintaining good eating habits, an engaged, active lifestyle and pay attention to the body’s warning signs.

Studies indicate that seniors who remain physically active tend to live longer and enjoy greater mental acuity and quality of life. Exercise strengthens the immune system to help fend off cold and flu, while lowering the likelihood of chronic afflictions like hypertension, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. We understand that its easy to tout the benefits of remaining physically active, and many people want to exercise and eat healthier but integrating those habits into one’s life can be a challenging proposition.

That’s where a quality senior living or senior apartment community like Bellewood can help! By making exercise a structured, conveniently scheduled and social activity, exercise becomes enjoyable and make it easier to meet physical activity goals, enhance your quality of life and have fun doing it.

Exercise: More Than For Just The Body

In the same way that physical exercise strengthens your body, it is possible to exercise the mind and strengthen the brain. When the two disciplines are used in tandem, greater overall health is the result. By committing to learn new things and engage the world actively, we are rewarded with better memory function, greater mental focus and acuity, as well as a general sense of well-being. Many seniors find living in senior housing or assisted living community allows them to stay active by taking advantage of the senior-focused wellness and nutritional programs offered by the retirement community.

Many older adults find that living in an assisted living or senior housing community greatly enhances their ability to stay active by taking advantage of the senior-focused and structured wellness, fitness and nutritional programs offered by the retirement home.

How can living at Bellewood Senior Living Community help you stay active?

In our youth-obsessed society, we are conditioned to believe that aging must be a time of diminished expectations, reduced contributions, and limited expectations. We at Bellewood Senior Living Community beg to differ. Since we first began serving the public in 1986, our residents have been able to advantage of an approach to aging we call LifeMinded. By using this active, engaged approach to living, we help each resident create and implement their own personalized program to help them on the way to a full and active life, or to a more active life at any age.

We represent retirement life as it was meant to be lived – with passion and enthusiasm.

 “A 2017 report from the International Council on Active Aging found that in Life Plan Communities with a wellness program, 91% of residents say their health and wellness is good, very good or excellent.”

Our concept of LifeMinded living is founded upon a belief in the power of engaged and independent senior life. Our practices are based on the Seven Dimensions of Wellness model as it has been endorsed by the International Council on Active Aging.

Living LifeMinded.

LifeMinded Living can be broken down into four key points, with physical fitness being the first.

Bellewood offers a plethora of fitness classes and outdoor activities. The variety of programs allows for endless combinations, which help to keep those fitness routines fresh, and motivation high! Residents are rewarded with increased balance, flexibility, core strength, and cardiovascular health!

The next key point of the LifeMinded way is brain fitness. Along with a sound body, a sharp, engaged mind is an important part of getting the most from one’s golden years. Bellewood at Kirkland provides an appealing combination of classes, projects and events meant to be coupled with our fitness programs, all designed to help keep the minds of our residents’ limber and sharp.

Our third point of LifeMinded living is the power of social connections. Living at Bellewood means being welcomed into a community. We offer boundless opportunity to nurture longstanding relationships and build new ones. Plenty of group discussion and other structured support for our residents is readily available for anyone who wishes to take part.

Our fourth and final facet of LifeMinded living is the idea of Making A Difference. Physical and mental fitness are fine, and maintaining a vibrant social life is important, but a life without meaning is empty at any age. At Bellewood, we encourage our residents to pursue their passions. We believe life’s work should be for life. So, if you want to make an impact or keep making an impact, we’re here to help. Our own residents redefine retirement by volunteering, mentoring, creating, and more. Share your vision, and we’ll make the connections that make it possible.

Finances
Finances

FINANCES


Common Concerns

For many seniors, living on a fixed income brings concerns of outliving your retirement savings. There are many things you can do to ensure you are living within your means, hiring a financial advisor, developing a budget, and preparing for the possibility that you may become unable to handle your finances. A large portion of your nest egg will be spent on living expenses, so it’s important to consider housing related daily, monthly and yearly costs.

Staying home vs. moving out

When making the important decision of where to live as you age, you need to take into account your overall health and well-being along with the finances. Many seniors think that staying in their homes is more affordable than joining an assisted living or senior living community but fail to take into account the various costs that can accrue. While you may not be paying rent or a mortgage, living at home can require basic home maintenance, like a new water heater or yard care, or projects to keep the home accessible based on your abilities. These improvements can include installing a stair lift, wheelchair ramps, or remodeling a bath (to include a curbless shower and installing hand rails, for example). All these projects have a cost, and it’s important to research to see if they will add to your home value or not.

There are also costs associated with independent living and retirement home communities, here are a few things to consider when researching to see what’s included in your monthly rent or joining fee: waiting list deposit, move-in fee, housekeeping, meals, TV, utilities (phone, internet, electricity), transportation, parking, field trips, wellness programs. At Bellewood, most of these are included with your monthly rent; you can read about the services and amenities here. Depending on your needs, desired assisted living services are available at varying costs.

Change is inevitable; at Bellewood Senior Living Community rent increases don’t have to be.

Financial peace of mind is why we’ve created a program call LifeMinded Rewards. People tend to live and engage at Bellewood longer than they expected, so we’ve found a way to help you plan for the future with greater financial certainty and confidence. LifeMinded Rewards is a one of a kind program that limits or eliminates any rent increase you’ll experience at Bellewood senior apartments. The program is simple and it starts after you’ve lived with us for just 3 consecutive years. After your 3rd year, your rent will never increase by more than 2% per year. After 5 years your rent will never increase more than 1% per year and after 10 consecutive years with us, your rent will never increase at all. No fine print, no buy-in, no hidden gimmicks, just an approach that puts your peace of mind first.

LifeMinded Rewards may be the most unique aspect of our take on finances but it’s not our only one. Unlike most retirement communities or independent senior housing communities you’ll find, we are very upfront about our fees, you can easily find them all on our website, just click here.

Assisted Living
Assisted Living

ASSISTED LIVING


What is Assisted Living? 

Assisted Living is a term applied to many senior living and retirement communities but the assistance offered varies greatly. It is important to find a senior apartment or retirement home that provides the services you need and one that can accommodate your needs in the future as well.

There is no official, standardized definition of assisted living, but we find there are two basic types, those who support independent living and those who have the added support of on-site medical staff. Most active seniors do not need medical support staff as a part of their senior housing. They want their own living space with the assistance of amenities that make their lives easier such as daily meals, housekeeping, health and wellness programs, social programs, transportation and access to medical services. Assisted living facilities are generally designed for those who don’t need the intensive medical care provided at nursing homes.

Does the Bellewood Senior Living Community offer the right assistance for you?

Common assisted living communities’ amenities include meals, housekeeping, transportation, medication assistance, emergency call service, planned activities and around the clock assistance if needed. Bellewood offers all of these assisted living services. Some facilities are designed for people who are less independent and in need of more support. Their service offering typically includes licensed nursing, medication assistance and around-the-clock observation of health status. This type of facility is a step between independent living and a nursing home. People who have serious health issues or are in a state of rapidly declining health are better off with this type of care. At Bellewood we bridge the gap between independent living and assisted living with partner providers such as Right at Home who provide extended services to allow our residents to get the help they need without leaving the comfort and safety.

As the saying goes, one size doesn’t fit all and one community isn’t the right fit for everyone. What is the right level of care for you is a complex question but one we are happy to help you work through it. We honestly want you to live where you receive the maximum benefit and are here to help you make your senior housing decision.

Assisted Living FAQ
Assisted Living FAQ

ASSISTED LIVING FAQ


Questions you should ask when deciding on your retirement community:


What are the different levels of care available?

Different senior living and retirement communities offer different levels of care, here are the very basic differences.

Housing only: What you’d expect, 55 and above senior housing. Typically with fitness rooms and common lounges but no meals, no maid service and often no transportation.

Independent Senior Housing: You live and cook in your own space but there are many social opportunities to take advantage of.

Assisted living: This is the hardest to compare as the level of assistance offered vary. At a minimum it should include some meals, transportation, maid service and 24/7 on call assistance. From there the level of care increases with need, offering on site nursing and medical care and eventually providing what it typically thought of as nursing home services. Not all assisted living communities are the same, take your time and shop the ones you are interested in.


Do you offer assisted living services? 

It’s important to determine if the senior living community is the right fit for you, and for your future. Make sure to ask about their assisted living services, transportation, memory care, and wellness programs to determine if it’s a right fit. Read our posts on assisted living and independent living to learn more.

Bellewood residents have access to personal care services in the comfort of their senior apartments. Even though we are an independent senior living community, there is no need to leave Bellewood if you need assistance with grooming, laundry, medication reminders or other personal matters. Access to assisted living services can be provided on your terms by our partners or anyone of your choosing. Read more about our partners and the assisted living services they provide here.


Do you allow pets?

Many assisted living communities and retirement homes do not allow pets. If your pet is an important part of your family, be sure to keep them in mind when selecting where to live, it will be their home too.

At Bellewood, small pets are welcome. We can even help you find dog-walking services.


Will I have to sign a lease?

In order to make a good decision for your senior housing situation, you need to be able to plan for your future, and the unknown that comes with it. Make sure to find out the monthly and annual expenses that will be required by the independent living facility. Some assisted living or senior living communities require an initial deposit or a substantial joining fee. Make sure you know what you’re signing up for and what happens if you have to change your plans, before making any commitments. At Bellewood, we do not require signing a long-term lease, we rent our senior apartments on a month-to-month basis, even though many of our residents stay here for years.


What is the rent and how often does it increase?

This seems pretty simple, but often it’s not. Make sure you get details so you can plan your finances and ensure your future is secure.

You can find out exactly what rents are at Bellewood here and about how we protect our residents from increasing rents with LifeMinded Rewards here.


How does your meal plan work?

Meal plans and the quality of the food are important parts of your decision to join an assisted living community. The dining experience is also important, is it a cafeteria environment? Restaurant-style serving? Can you get room service?

The quality and nutrition of the food should not be overlooked. Adequate nutrition is critical for seniors to maintain muscle mass and overall health.

Bellewood’s monthly food service fee is included in your rent, and provides for the equivalent of one meal per day and you can choose to use those meals whenever you’d like, lunch or dinner.


Do you provide transportation?

Coming home to an inviting home is important, but in order to come home, you must be able to get out and about. If you don’t drive, or plan to eliminate driving in the future, make sure you have access to the transportation you’ll need for social engagements, shopping, banking, and medical visits, on your schedule.

An important part of enjoying life at Bellewood Senior Apartments is your access to the outside world. Bellewood offers regular transportation to their residents, come see our concierge for details.


Is parking available?

Parking is important to the senior apartment residents who drive, and for those who may come to visit. Ensuring adequate parking is critical for your daily convenience, and also has financial implications if you have to find alternate storage for your vehicle.

Bellewood has plenty of surface parking for you and guests at no extra charge. We’ll even valet your car for you if needed.


Where can my family stay when they come for an extended visit?

For many, leaving their family home often means also leaving their extra guest room. It’s important to ensure that your visitors have a comfortable, affordable, and convenient place to stay when they visit. Make sure you aren’t limited in your ability to visit parents just because they’ve moved to assisted living.

At Bellewood we have apartments available for families use when visiting. This means you don’t have to find a hotel, you’re a short walk away from the folks and most importantly, your parents don’t need to pay for and keep up an extra room or two in their home.


What are community fees?

Community fees are charged by many assisted living or senior apartments to cover the administrative fees associated with a new resident move-in. Typically the fee runs from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. At Bellewood, we do not charge a separate community fee and most of our amenities are included in your monthly rent.