Frequently Asked Questions
Dedicated to improving the lives of older adults
Moving to a retirement community can mean wonderful, exciting changes in your lifestyle. Finding just the right community may take time and raise many questions. To assist you in making this important decision, we’ve addressed some of the most commonly asked questions in this booklet. We’ll be glad to personally answer any further questions you may have to help you make the move that’s right for you.
Goodwin House Incorporated
- Why do people choose to live in a Goodwin House community?
- Who owns and manages the Goodwin House communities?
- Are the Goodwin House communities accredited?
- What is a Continuing Care Retirement Community?
- What types of residences are available in the Goodwin House communities?
- May I personalize my home to suit my preferences?
- What kinds of fees do residents pay?
- What does the entrance fee cover?
- What does "Extensive Lifecare" mean?
- What are the resident agreement options?
- Is the monthly fee fixed, or is it subject to change?
- What is included in the monthly fee?
- Are additional services available to residents?
- What kinds of amenities and common areas are available to residents?
- What healthcare services are available?
- Are any of the fees considered tax deductible as medical expenses?
- Is there a Resident Association?
- How do I become a resident?
- What is the next step if I’d like to learn more?
Q: Why do people choose to live in a Goodwin House community?
A. For many reasons! Goodwin House Alexandria and Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads both attract an interesting mix of individuals. Residents appreciate living among talented, friendly neighbors who share a passion for creative expression, community involvement and cultural delights. They like living close to city attractions, being surrounded by beautiful grounds and enjoying freedom from household maintenance or lawn care. They like having spacious, attractive apartments, choices in dining, social and recreational activities, convenient services on site, the security of excellent lifelong healthcare and an invigorating, inspired lifestyle.
Q: Who owns and manages the Goodwin House communities?
A. Goodwin House Alexandria and Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads are owned by Goodwin House Incorporated, a nonprofit organization which was established under the auspices of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Virginia. A non-compensated board of trustees composed of local community leaders guide this organization in achieving the Goodwin House mission. Dedicated management teams continually seek to enhance the lives of residents, broadening amenities and services to meet their needs and preferences. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of the U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
Q: Are the Goodwin House communities accredited?
A. Yes. Goodwin House Alexandria and Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads each undergo a rigorous review process to maintain accreditation by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC). This voluntary accreditation demonstrates our commitment to meeting national standards of excellence and maintaining communities of the highest quality. Both are licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services and the Virginia Department of Health. In addition, each year an updated, detailed disclosure statement is submitted to the Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Bureau of Insurance.
Q: What is a Continuing Care Retirement Community?
A. A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is a senior-living community where mature adults can enjoy private, maintenance-free residences on an amenity-filled campus and gain the assurance that exceptional healthcare will be available to them through every stage of life—without having to relocate. With one move, you can enhance your financial security, lifestyle flexibility and peace of mind. If needed, Goodwin House Lifecare plans will provide assisted living, skilled nursing care and memory support for those with dementia, all without an increase in monthly fee. We offer options for those with long-term care insurance, as well. Residents also benefit from a healthy focus on wellness and gain access to on-site fitness programs, preventive care and 24-hour emergency response.
Q: What types of residences are available in the Goodwin House communities?
A. Goodwin House Alexandria’s wide selection of apartment homes includes 15 floor plans. After Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads completes its expansion, there will be a total of 29 floor plans. Choose an intimate studio, a spacious one or two bedroom with den apartment or a luxurious suite of three bedrooms plus den. All residences have individually controlled heating and air conditioning, sound-insulated walls and fireproof construction with smoke detectors and sprinklers in each room.
Q: May I personalize my home to suit my preferences?
A. Yes. You may decorate and furnish your apartment in the colors and style that match your tastes.
Q: What kinds of fees do residents pay?
A. There is a one-time entrance fee and then monthly fees. Both fees vary depending on the size of the residence and the financial plan you select. With many different styles and four different financial plans from which to choose, it’s easy to find a residence to match your preferences and budget.
Q: What does the entrance fee cover?
A. All entrance fee options ensure that we can continue to provide high quality services, amenities and programs to meet resident needs and preferences. These Lifecare fees guarantee residency, use of the common facilities and access to assisted living, intermediate, skilled, memory support and the clinical services provided in the wellness center. Entrance fees vary depending on the specific residence and refund option selected.
Q: What does "Extensive Lifecare" mean?
A. An Extensive Lifecare plan guarantees your access to all healthcare services provided by Goodwin House without an increase in your monthly fees. This greatly reduces concerns about future healthcare costs and can protect your assets from potentially devastating expenses if assisted living or nursing care services are ever needed. There is a resident agreement that clearly defines all services, healthcare and amenities included in your contract. We recommend a review of the contract for more detailed information about how the Extensive Lifecare plans work.
Q: What are the resident agreement options?
A. There are three options available that guarantee Extensive Lifecare, without an increase in your monthly fee, regardless of your level of care. These include:
- Standard Plan: This is the traditional Lifecare plan in which an entrance fee guarantees that specified healthcare services will be provided with no increase to the monthly fee paid in independent living, regardless of the level of care required. A refund of the entrance fee is based on a declining formula, which is 1% per month for each month of residency if an individual moves out and 4% per month for each month of residency if an individual passes away. The reason for the difference is that if a resident chooses to leave, Goodwin House wants to ensure that funds are available to support that individual in another living arrangement.
- Modified Plan: This plan provides an option for individuals who prefer to pay a lower entrance fee. The Modified Plan has a higher monthly fee than the Standard Plan. The refund declines based on the same formula as the Standard Plan.
- 50% Refund Option: This option was designed for individuals who prefer to pay a higher entrance fee knowing that 50% of the entrance fee paid will be returned to their estate at their death. The monthly fee is the same as that of the Standard Plan. The refund declines based on the same formula as the Standard Plan, but the refund will not be less than 50% of the entrance fee paid.
- Long-Term Care Option: Based on the understanding that many policies require a 90-day waiting period before taking effect, the Goodwin House Long-Term Care Plan provides 90 days of healthcare coverage in assisted living or the health care center, plus clinical services in the wellness center. After 90 days in assisted living or the health care center, the resident pays a private pay daily rate and works with the long-term care insurance company to obtain reimbursement. This plan has a discounted entrance fee with the same monthly fee in independent living as the Standard Plan. The refund declines based on the same formula as the Standard Plan.
Q: Is the monthly fee fixed, or is it subject to change?
A. Monthly fees are reviewed annually and may be adjusted based on current operating costs. Every effort is made to control costs while maintaining the high quality of our services.
Q: What is included in the monthly fee?
A. The monthly fee at the Goodwin House communities lets you enjoy:
- The equivalent of one meal per day in a choice of dining venues, from casual to formal, based on a flexible schedule
- All utilities, including basic in-house cable provided by satellite dish
- Security
- 24-hour emergency medical alert system in each residence
- Weekly housekeeping and linen service
- Full maintenance of residences, appliances and common areas
- Landscaping and grounds maintenance
- Parking
- Social, educational, cultural, recreational and special interest programs
- Convenient services and amenities on site
- A continuum of healthcare services
Q: Are additional services available to residents?
A. Yes. Services and programs available for an additional cost include extra resident meals, guest meals, transportation, beauty/barber shop services, catering for parties and more.
Q: What kinds of amenities and common areas are available to residents?
A. The Goodwin House communities offer a wide range of lovely amenities and related services to make life easy and comfortable, as well as stimulating and fulfilling. Both communities offer:
- Spectacular views of the Washington, D.C., skyline
- Professionally landscaped grounds with walking paths and resident garden boxes
- Special rooms available for private parties, dinners and other resident functions
- Choice of casual, formal and outdoor dining venues
- Guest rooms for visitors
- Fitness club, including a fitness coordinator available for personal training for residents
- Swimming pool and water exercise instructor at Goodwin House Alexandria with transportation available for Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads residents. (A swimming pool will be included in Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads expansion)
- Computer lab with high speed Internet access
- Woodworking shop
- Art studio and professional art instructor
- Game room
- Full-service bank
- Pharmacy services
- Beauty salon and spa with beauticians, nail technicians and massage therapists
- Chapel, chaplaincy program and interdenominational services
- Residents’ business center
- Library with reference center, considerable large-print book selection, current titles, current periodicals and many books written by Goodwin House residents
- Goodwin House buses for group trips
- Lounge areas, living room with a fireplace and a grand piano
Q: What healthcare services are available?
A. Goodwin House provides a continuum of care, helping residents enhance their fitness, independence and health through all of life’s stages. As a resident under an Extensive Lifecare contract at either community, you have access to the following exceptional health services, all provided on site, with no change in your basic monthly fee:
- Wellness programs, including exercise classes, dietary and health-related seminars, and preventive care services
- Assisted living
- Long- and short-term skilled nursing care
- Memory support for residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s
- Assistance with special diets
- Wellness Clinic with scheduled nursing office hours
- Assistance with filing health insurance claims
- Social work services
- Recreation therapy
- Medicare-certified hospice care
- Home care
- Scheduled physician and outpatient visits
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy with physician’s orders
- Outpatient clinic with internists, psychiatrist, dentist, podiatrist and optometrist
- Transportation for shopping and medical appointments
Q: Are any of the fees considered tax deductible as medical expenses?
A. Yes. A portion of both the entrance fee and the monthly fee is recognized as a prepaid healthcare expense and may be deductible for income tax purposes. Each year residents receive a letter indicating the portion of their entrance fee and monthly fees paid in that year that qualifies as a medical expense for federal income tax purposes. You should contact your personal tax advisor regarding the deductibility of these expenses for your particular situation.
Q: Is there a Resident Association?
A. Yes. Both communities have an active Resident Association. In addition to active committee and council activities, residents participate in Board Committees and the presidents of the Residents Councils at both communities attend Board of Trustees meetings.
Q: How do I become a resident?
A. In order to be added to our waiting list, there is a $300 per person nonrefundable application fee, as well as a fully refundable $1,000 wait list deposit. Both will be deducted from the balance of the entrance fee due upon your moving in.
Q: What is the next step if I’d like to learn more?
A. We invite you to come for a visit! We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may still have. Please call to schedule a personalized tour and be our guest for lunch, meet some of the residents and find out all you need to know about Goodwin House. It’s never too early to start planning for your ideal retirement. Why not start today?
Choose Goodwin House Alexandria or Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads and enjoy a captivating retirement filled with discovery, friendship and well-being.
