FAQ’S

Deerfield’s LifeCare concept offers its residents unique health care benefits, as well as significant financial advantages and security. The LifeCare benefit assures the availability of long-term nursing care or assisted living in the Deerfield on-site health center at the same monthly rate as in the apartment or cottage. The resident has to pay only for the additional two meals per day during the stay in any level of care in the Deerfield health center and any ancillary health care services not included in the Monthly Fee. Upgraded accommodations in health care are available at an additional charge.

Deerfield offers two mid-rise apartment buildings, 57 new cottages and eight villas, along with the unique blend of existing cottages and cluster homes in the charming St. Giles neighborhood (the original Deerfield).

The apartments and cottages feature wall-to-wall carpeting, numerous closets and storage areas, fully-equipped kitchens, utility rooms, washer and dryer, bathrooms with tub and/or shower and vanities, emergency call system with 24-hour security and emergency health care assistance, fire and smoke detectors, individualized heating and air-conditioning systems for each residence, lever door handles, pre-wired cable, telephone and computer modem outlets, and a patio or balcony.

Residents may reflect their own personal tastes in their furnishings and decorating; however, any structural changes must be approved by management and are the financial responsibility of the resident

A community center and wellness center comprise most of the common areas and amenities. These include a handsome lobby, a casual dining Bistro, a well-appointed formal dining room, private dining rooms, beverage lounge, outdoor terrace, guest rooms, library, a large multipurpose room, a bank, billiards/poker room, enclosed aquatic therapy center and lap pool, woodworking shop, arts and crafts studio, classroom, computer lab, aerobics and exercise/weight room, croquet court, beauty and barber salon, physical/occupational therapy, and central mailboxes. Deerfield is one of the few retirement communities to have its own free-standing chapel, St. Giles Chapel, and a chaplain as a staff member. Services are held in the chapel every Wednesday afternoon and Sunday, as well as on special occasions.

Deerfield offers its residents in independent living two meals per day with the finest quality of food and dining services. One meal per day is included in the Monthly Fee. Residents may choose which meal they prefer.

The Bistro, an informal cafe environment, provides convenient serving hours, buffet-style service, and “take-out” meals. For a more intimate dining experience with waited service, residents may reserve a table in the Fine Dining Room on specified evenings. Residents may entertain guests as frequently as they wish; reservations are requested for guests. Private dining rooms are available for residents to use for special occasions, and the terrace is available for outdoor dining.

As common in most nonprofit retirement communities, the residents of Deerfield invest in a one-time Entrance Fee upon occupancy and an ongoing Monthly Service Fee. These fees vary depending upon the size of residence selected and the number of occupants.

The Entrance Fee entitles the resident to the exclusive right to occupy the residence and to use and enjoy the common areas, amenities, programs and services at Deerfield, including health center facilities.

The Standard Entrance Fee Plan provides for reimbursement for any resident who leaves the community for any reason within 48 months of occupancy. Under this plan, the Entrance Fee declines at 2% per month for each month of occupancy during the initial 48 months plus a one time 4% non-refundable charge.

For those who wish a return on their investment beyond the four-year period, Deerfield offers two Refundable Entrance Fee Plans: a 50% Refund and a 90% Refund. These have higher Entrance Fees, yet provide the indicated refund upon leaving, no matter how long a resident lives at Deerfield.

The 50% Refundable Entrance Fee Plan prorates the reimbursement for any resident leaving the community for any reason during the first 23 months at 2% per month plus a 4% non-refundable charge. After 23 months of occupancy, the refund is never less than 50% of the Entrance Fee paid.

The 90% Refundable Entrance Fee Plan prorates the reimbursement for any resident leaving the community for any reason during the first 6 months at 1% per month plus a 4% non-refundable charge. After 6 months of occupancy, the refund is never less than 90% of the Entrance Fee paid.

The Entrance Fee is based on the size of the residence. An additional Entrance Fee is charged for a second resident.

The Monthly Fee entitles Deerfield residents to enjoy the following services, programs, and amenities:

• One meal per day in the dining room of choice
• Special diets and tray service when approved by authorized staff
• All utilities, except telephone and cable television
• 24-hour security staff and systems
• Weekly housekeeping
• Weekly laundering and changing of bed linens
• Maintenance
• Groundskeeping
• Lighted parking
• Planned social, spiritual, recreational, educational, and cultural activities
• Scheduled transportation for local medical appointments and shopping
• Chaplain services
• Arts and crafts programs and activities
• Aquatic programs
• Exercise and wellness programs
• Additional storage space
• On-site health center with Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing accommodations
• 24-hour emergency assistance
• Routine clinic services

The Monthly Fee varies according to the size of the residence. An additional Monthly Fee is charged for a second resident.

Yes. Deerfield will adjust fees at a rate that reflects costs of operation and maintenance of appropriate reserves on a sound financial basis. Notification of any increase in the Monthly Fee is given to all residents no less than 30 days in advance. This adjustment generally occurs on an annual basis.

Yes. The Internal Revenue Service allows residents to deduct the portion of both the Entrance Fee and the Monthly Fee that goes toward paying medical expenses. The Entrance Fee deduction is taken in the year the fee is paid; the monthly fee deduction is ongoing. The deductible amount is calculated annually by Deerfield and provided to our residents. Residents should contact their personal tax advisor regarding this deduction.

Deerfield is committed to providing a full continuum of health services and licensed nursing care. To achieve that goal, Deerfield provides the following:

• Assisted Living
  Assisted Living for residents who need assistance in the activities of daily life is provided in our on-site health center in 40 assisted living suites, private residences with living room, bedroom, full bath and kitchenette.
• Skilled Nursing Care
  For recuperative, long or short-term nursing care needs, the Deerfield health center provides residents with 24-hour care, accommodations, and services for Skilled Nursing in 32 private rooms with private baths and 16 private rooms with shared baths. An innovative neighborhood design provides a reassuring residential atmosphere.
  All areas of Health Services are under the direct supervision and responsibility of a licensed administrator, the Director of Health Care Services, and the Medical Director, a licensed physician, to assure quality care.
• 24-Hour Emergency Assistance
  Deerfield’s nursing staff is available 24 hours per day, 365 days a year and is accessible to residents for assistance or consultation. The emergency call system located in each home summons both nursing and security.
• Clinic
  Deerfield provides clinical services for residents at scheduled times for consultation, medication administration, treatments, and prescribed therapies. There are charges for some services.

MAHEC

Deerfield is indeed fortunate to have joined forces with MAHEC (Mountain Area Health and Education Center) to provide Deerfield residents with on-site physician care through MAHEC’s Family Medicine Geriatric Fellowship Program. Through the newly-instituted program, residents have access to a team of providers, including a nurse practitioner, two fellows and two physicians. The Deerfield clinic is staffed five mornings a week, Monday through Friday.

MAHEC is a member of the North Carolina AHEC system, one of the oldest and most extensive AHEC systems in the country. MAHEC has joined with community partners in Western North Carolina such as Deerfield to provide a range of quality training settings for Fellows of their Geriatric Medicine Program.

As a highly desirable area for retirement, Western North Carolina has attracted a population that is aging much more rapidly than the rest of the state or nation. With this growing population, and a highly developed health care infrastructure, Asheville and the surrounding area is an ideal location for Geriatric clinical training and for future practice. The fellowship is fully accredited by the Residency Review Committee (RRC), and accepts board certified or board eligible family physicians or internists for this one year fellowship. Successful completion of the program leads to eligibility to sit for the geriatric medicine added qualifications examination (CAQ) of the American Board of Family Practice and the American Board of Internal Medicine.

• In-Home Supportive Care
  Deerfield’s In-Home Supportive Care includes delivered meals, assistance with bathing, grooming and dressing, medication or medical treatments, routine temperature, blood pressure and pulse rate checks, or other support services on a temporary basis. There are additional charges for some in-home assistance services.
• Therapies
  A specially designed area for speech, occupational, physical, and hydrotherapies is located in the wellness center and staffed by licensed therapists. There are charges for these services.

Emergency medical treatment and specialized services are available at Mission Hospitals or Thoms Rehabilitation Hospital. Both are only a short drive from Deerfield. Mission is the medical center for all of Western North Carolina and includes a trauma center and the outstanding Owen Heart Center. Mission has been named one of the top 100 minor teaching hospitals in the United States, and one of the four top hospitals in the U.S. by Commonwealth.

Yes. Deerfield accepts direct admissions into both the Assisted Living center and the Skilled Nursing center, but only if there is space available without jeopardizing the needs of Deerfield’s residents. Such admissions are subject to the current fees for health care and are not qualified for LifeCare. Residents desiring direct admission to the health center follow the stated admissions procedures for applicants for residency.

Yes, pets are permitted in independent living cottages and apartments, upon approval by management and subject to Deerfield’s stated pet policies. In addition, Deerfield’s health center incorporates a progressive, healthful environment of care and philosophy into residents’ daily lives through pet therapy.

Yes. Deerfield has a Future Residency Program, which ensures future residents a priority position for the residence of their choice, as well as benefits of access to meals, programs, and facilities, and priority for admission to the on-site health center should care be needed before moving to Deerfield. The $1,000 Future Residency fee is applicable to the Entrance Fee, but does not “lock in” the Entrance Fee.

To meet the admissions requirements for LifeCare, a resident must be 62 years of age or older, in generally good health, ambulatory, able to live independently without assistance, and free of any communicable disease. Deerfield does not discriminate with respect to sex, race, religion, or place of origin.

To become a resident at Deerfield, you are invited to sign up for the Wait List by filling out the Future Residency Agreement.

TO SIGN UP FOR THE WAIT LIST

1. Future Residency Agreement
   The Future Residency Agreement provides you with a priority number, based on the date of sign up. You are asked to indicate the type of residence preferred and the projected move-in date. The Future Residency Agreement does not “lock in” the Entrance Fee.
    
2. Future Residency Deposit
   You are asked to make a deposit of $1,000, payable to Deerfield. The full amount is refundable for 30 days from the date the agreement is signed. Thereafter, $500 of this deposit is refundable should you cancel the Agreement, or the total amount is applicable to the Entrance Fee later.
    
3. Disclosure Statement
   We will provide you with a copy of our current Disclosure Statement, which fully describes the organization, facilities, policies, services, fees, financial condition and projections and other vital information related to Deerfield.
    
4. Application Forms
   After signing the Future Residency Agreement, you are requested to fill out and return the following forms within 30 days:
   1. Application for Admission
   2. Personal Health History
   3. Confidential Financial Statement
    
5. Admissions Committee Review
   Once your applications are received, the Admissions Committee of the Board of Directors will review the information. Please be assured that all information provided in the application process is handled with complete confidentiality. You will be notified in writing of preliminary approval of acceptance. If your application is not approved, you will receive notification, an explanation and a full refund of the Future Residency Deposit. The review takes from 20 to 30 days.
    
6. Availability of Residence
   Based on your priority number and on the type of residence specified and projected date, you will be contacted when residences are available. You have the right of refusal with no change in your status. Upon accepting the residence, you will proceed to the Residence and Services Agreement, thereby locking in the Entrance Fee; the Physician’s Health Form; and the Move-In Process.
    
7. Residence and Services Agreement
   The Residence and Services Agreement is accompanied by a deposit equal to ten percent (10%) of the Standard Entrance Fee for the residence you have selected, less the $1,000 Future Residency Deposit. The 10% deposit is fully refundable for 30 days from the date the agreement is signed. After that, the deposit is refundable as described in the Residence and Services Agreement.
    
8. Physician’s Health Form
   Prior to move-in, your physician will fill out and send to Deerfield the Physician’s Health Form with information from a physical examination completed not more than six months earlier.
    
9. Move-in and Balance of Entrance Fee
   You will have 60 days from the signing of the Residence and Services Agreement to move in or assume financial responsibility for the residence. The balance of the Entrance Fee for the refund option you select is payable then. You will be asked to arrange your move with Deerfield’s Move-in Coordinator.
    
10. Benefits for Future Residents
    Future residents may dine at Deerfield at a special rate and will receive the Harbinger, a publication detailing events of interest to our future residents. Future Residents also have a priority for admission to the health center, based on space available.