Help me find a retirement community for my parents in NOVA

[Anonymous]

My 80 year old parents, who have lived in NOVA for 45 years, are finally ready to sell their house and move to something more manageable. They are independent now but slipping fast.They would like to stay in NOVA so I can help out as needed. I'm hoping others have BTDT and can share recommendations.

Here's their wishlist:
Under $4000 all in except meals and medical
Senior community with organized activities
3 BR with balcony for plants and bird feeders
Well maintained grounds and a view
Big building with an elevator and 4+ floors
Communal art room a plus - mom is an artist
Communal dining area with low commitment meal plans
Opportunity for progressive care as needs change
Non isolated community - outings accessible to non drivers

Thoughts? Is this wishlist realistic? We're at the very beginning of this process and I appreciate any advice, cautionary tales, etc. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I can't imagine how you could possibly find this for 4K. My mom is in assisted living at 5800/mo including meals (cafeteria style) subsidized (in another state) and she has just one tiny bedroom. It's lovely but it's considered cheap for assisted living. Have you even begun to price this out?

[Anonymous]

Ashby Pond.
Not sure it will meet their financial requirements, though.

[Anonymous]

OP here: They don't need assisted living yet. They know they will need a bigger budget as their needs increase. Now they are looking for a retirement community with little or no meal plan. They could just rent a nice apartment for $4K in a big building with amenities but they really want a senior community. And something that will grow in services as they age.

[Anonymous]

The Virginian in Fairfax. Or the Jefferson in Ballston. Not sure if they have 3 BR units.

[Anonymous]

Check out aplaceformom.com. It's a senior living referral service. They should be able to give you some ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check out aplaceformom.com. It's a senior living referral service. They should be able to give you some ideas.

They were very helpful when we were looking for my MIL.

I am not sure that 80 and slipping fast is well-suited to moving now and then moving again in a couple of years, so as you help them look, keep an eye out for what you'll need as they decline. Things can go very bad, very fast, and their choices will be limited, but I'm guessing they aren't willing to to more than give up their current house and there's no point in fighting about it. But have the information at your fingertips (sorry to be a downer and I hope I'm wrong, but it's a pretty common pattern).

[Anonymous]

From what I remember, assisted living in the Shenandoah Valley is significantly cheaper than around here.

The Sunrise type facilities have almost everything you describe but they are ~$5600/mo (including nursing assistance) and the rooms are not large.