Studies show that nearly 90% of retirees want to stay in their homes as they age. “Sure, when you’re vital and active of course you can’t imagine living anywhere but home,” says Ann Sertl, Membership Advisor for Whitney Center’s Thrive at Home program. “But while you may be enjoying your home, community, and independence now, chances are you have concerns about what tomorrow might bring. What happens if you or your spouse becomes ill or disabled? How would it affect your life? What about your finances?”
Ann says the answers to those questions and concerns can be found in Whitney Center’s Thrive at Home program. Thrive at Home is an innovative option giving area seniors access to the care and services they need at home. “Think of Thrive at Home as life care at home,” says Ann. “It’s like a long-term care insurance policy. It’s ideal for those who are not yet ready or cannot yet move into a Life Plan community – but who like the idea of guaranteed access to care at a predictable price.”
In exchange for an entry fee and ongoing monthly fees, Thrive at Home services include many of the same services offered at Whitney Center: care management and coordination, routine home maintenance, in-home caregivers that provide the supportive assisted living and skilled nursing care services, transportation, meals, and social and wellness programs. “Our goal is to maintain a person’s ability to remain at home,” says Ann, “but if and when a participant in Thrive at Home becomes ready to move to Whitney Center, he or she gains automatic priority access to our community.”
As with a Life Care contract with Whitney Center, Thrive at Home monthly fees will not increase if a new level of care is needed. “You buy into Thrive at Home membership before you need service,” says Ann. “The very day a member needs help, we start whether it’s homecare, nursing care, or both. We can provide as little as one hour of care/service per day to up to around-the-clock care. And, we can provide care for the rest of a member’s life.”
Ann joined the Thrive at Home team just three months ago but has more than 15 years of experience in senior living marketing life plan communities. “What I love about this job,” she says, “is that it offers seniors the best of both worlds: I get to help people remain in their homes while giving them access to Whitney Center’s high-quality services and possibly our wonderful community.”
Whitney Center is Ann’s first experience working for a non-profit organization, and she says she is amazed by the difference. “I love the focus on mission,” says Ann. “Whitney Center’s commitment to seniors is real. Everyone here lives the Whitney Center vision and philosophy, and it shows in the lifestyle, services, and care we offer and in the feedback we receive from residents.”
When Ann isn’t helping area seniors “thrive at home,” she’s either in her office with her office mate, Boo (a 25-pound rescue pup), at home cooking or gardening, riding her bike or relaxing on the beach. She has four adult children, but what she’s most excited about: she’ll become a first-time grandmother this summer!
For more information on Whitney Center’s Thrive at Home program, visit www.whitneycenter.com.
