RiverWoods Frequently Asked Questions

A benefit most people don’t fully consider is the increased engagement the lifestyle brings. A new study of people living in continuing care retirement communities found that 69 percent fared better than their peers on three important measures of emotional and physical health: social contact, intellectual engagement, and volunteerism. Conducted by Northwestern University and Mather Lifeways Institute on Aging, the 2018 study also found that residents of communities with entrance fees had lower rates of depression and better overall diet than people living in rental communities.

With beautiful residences, no home maintenance and a rich calendar of classes, cultural programs, and resident-run clubs and events every year, we offer a highly engaging lifestyle designed with aging well in mind. But many residents believe the greatest benefit is having a secure plan for the future with priority access to health care and support services. Our Benevolent Care program provides peace of mind for qualified residents who outlive their financial resources through no fault of their own.

Life at a CCRC has peace of mind at its core. With multiple levels of care at each Asbury community, you won’t have to change communities if you require more attention or support over time. Wellness also plays a big role, with each Asbury community’s associates and residents collaborating to develop programs that address social, emotional, physical, intellectual, spiritual, and vocational health. At Asbury residents are instrumental in transforming our communities with their unique personalities and talents. Residents remain independent while enjoying more opportunities to engage and interact both on campus and in the community beyond.

Each Asbury community has multiple levels of care at each location, but the large majority of residents live independently in one of numerous residence styles that include apartments, duplex cottages or townhomes. Continuing care can actually prolong independent living, as residents avail themselves of wellness and supportive services such as in-home personal care. In independent living, residents may be as private or involved in community events and programs as they like. You are welcome to enjoy guests in your home, and many of our communities have guest accommodations on-site.

If health needs change, residents have priority access to on-campus assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation services, and skilled nursing and respite care. In-home personal care and additional health services such as pharmacy and geriatric primary care are available. On- and off-campus transportation is available to help get you to appointments. Please see our Healthcare Services for complete information about the services available on our campus.

Some couples move to an Asbury community with different health needs or develop health conditions during their time here that require different levels of living, such as assisted living or personal care, memory care, or skilled nursing. In those cases, one spouse may choose to remain living independently while the other person moves to different neighborhood on campus.

A significant benefit of our continuum is the care coordination that residents gain from our community’s Care Navigation Team. This team jumps into action to support residents who require hospitalization or are returning home from being hospitalized, and helps them transition between different health services on campus.

All residents pay a one-time entrance fee plus a monthly fee. Fees vary widely based on based on the residence you choose and whether you choose a Refundable Plan* or the Standard Non-refundable Plan. If two people live in the residence, there is no additional entrance fee, but a second-person monthly fee applies. See our Entrance Fee & Pricing page underneath the Residential Living tab for details and to learn the many services and amenities those support. Because there are so many choices, we recommend that you meet with a retirement counselor to find out which makes the most sense for you.
*Carefully read the continuing care agreement for the conditions that must be satisfied before Asbury is required to pay the Entrance Fee Refund.

The Asbury Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that works to ensure that qualified residents who outlive their resources through no fault of their own are able to continue living in our communities. These residents are able to apply for and receive support to cover their expenses, regardless of whether they live in residential living or assisted living. The Asbury Foundation actively seeks donations for Benevolent Care, including a special endowment fund, to offset the costs of providing this support.

Asbury does not offer Type A Life Care contracts where a higher entrance fee offsets the future cost of health care services. At Asbury’s communities, residents pay for their health care services as they are needed. Because of this, the Internal Revenue Service does not recognize any part of the Entrance Fee or residential living monthly fees toward a medical deduction. However, it is possible that fees paid for assisted living or for skilled care services may be eligible for a medical deduction. Please see a tax analyst to learn whether your financial circumstances would allow you to deduct these expenses from your income. See our Entrance Fee page for more information about Contract Type.

While faith plays an important role in the lives of many residents here, Asbury Communities’ campuses celebrate people of all beliefs, cultures, and backgrounds. We offer a wide range of spiritual programming, including ecumenical services. We are an equal housing opportunity provider with communities that support people of all abilities. Please contact us for further details.

Under the direction of the Executive Director, a management team is responsible for the day-to-day operations and overall functioning. Those teams work in collaboration with Asbury Communities, Inc., which is the operator of this community and provides expertise and support in finance, human resources, clinical and legal services, marketing and communications, and strategic planning. Resident input is central to the culture of person-centered services and care here. Seeking out feedback from residents, associates, and family members – and honoring that feedback – is embedded in community operations. Each community also has Resident Committees and Councils that work in collaboration with campus leadership.