1. What is Brandon Wilde?
Brandon Wilde, a non-profit corporation, is a "Life Care" Retirement Community, owned by University Health Care System Inc., governed by a local, volunteer Board of Directors of leading citizens, business executives and representatives from University Health Care System.
The campus is situated on 104 acres northwest of Augusta, Ga., at the corner of Washington and Owens roads in Columbia County.
The residences at Brandon Wilde include 188 apartments in the main building and 62 cottages, as well as the 10 new cottages and 30 new apartments in The Preserve. Brandon Wilde's "Commons" features a host of special facilities and amenities. The community also features a fully equipped and staffed Wellness Center, and a fully licensed Health Center that offers three levels of care, including personal care/assisted living, skilled nursing care and dementia care services.
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2. What is a "Life Care" Retirement Community?
A "Life Care" Retirement Community is an organization established to provide a quality residential environment in which people may live as independently and actively as they wish, secure in the knowledge that health care-related support and services are available as they may be needed.
Life Care Retirement Communities provide independent housing in central apartments and detached cottages, with common facilities, programs and services for those of retirement age. Most importantly, residents have immediate access to health care and social services, which they can utilize according to their needs.
Brandon Wilde is Augusta's first and only comprehensive Life Care Retirement Community.
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3. What kind of common areas, amenities and support facilities does Brandon Wilde provide?
Brandon Wilde has a "Commons" building that includes an attractive entrance lobby, reception area, living room, library, meditation room, outdoor terrace, atrium, club room, post office boxes, sundries store, central dining room, private dining room, convocation hall with a stage, computer room, central kitchen, elevator lobbies, administrative offices and spacious outdoor "Low Country" porches, like those found on many of Augusta's finest homes.
The community has a "Wellness Center" that houses an indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, exercise room, men's and women's locker rooms, as well as an arts and craft studio, beauty salon, barber shop and full-service bank.
The common areas in the residential apartment building feature laundry rooms, lounges, additional elevator lobbies and private, secured storage.
The "Club House" is located in The Village and is accessible to all residents. Its casual interior is designed for parties, dinners, card games and resident meetings. A spacious porch with two built-in grills overlooks a putting green and a fully stocked fishing pond.
The Brandon Wilde "Health Center" provides staff, equipment and activities for both personal care/assisted living and skilled nursing care services, as well as other ancillary health care service areas. These facilities include well appointed semi-private and private rooms and suites, complemented by separate dining rooms, activity rooms, living rooms, therapy areas, examination rooms, outdoor courtyards, gardens and patios. Life Care residents have priority access to all accommodations, based upon availability.
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4. What types of fees do residents pay for the "Life Care" concept at Brandon Wilde?
As with most non-profit "Life Care" communities, Brandon Wilde residents pay a one-time "Entrance Fee" and thereafter a "Monthly Service Fee." These fees vary depending on the type of apartment or cottage selected and the number of occupants.
Brandon Wilde's "Life Care" concept offers a significant financial advantage. Should you transfer to the Brandon Wilde Health Center, you continue to pay the same monthly fee for Brandon Wilde's Health Center nursing services as you did for the independent living apartment or cottage you occupied before the transfer. Supplemental expenses include additional meals, medications, supplies and other items and services as may be needed for your specific care.
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5. Describe the "Entrance Fee."
The Entrance Fee entitles you to the exclusive right to occupy the selected apartment or cottage and to use and enjoy the common areas, programs and amenities of Brandon Wilde for the duration of the life care contract. The amount of the fee is set when the Residency Agreement (contract between the resident and Brandon Wilde) is signed and the deposit is received. The Entrance Fee also assures Life Care residents' access to The Brandon Wilde Health Center either on a temporary or permanent basis.
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6. What are the required deposit and payment terms for the Entrance Fee?
Ten percent of the total Entrance Fee is required as an initial deposit to reserve a specific apartment or cottage location and floor plan. The deposit "locks in" the Entrance Fee at the time the Residency Agreement is signed. The payment thereby protects you from future Entrance Fee price increases.
The balance of the Entrance Fee is due on the date of occupancy.
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7. Do I get a refund on my initial deposit should I not take occupancy of the apartment or cottage when it is ready?
Should a resident or spouse of a resident die, become disabled or have a financial crisis after entering into the Residency Agreement but before taking occupancy, Brandon Wilde will refund the entire Entrance Fee deposit.
However, should a resident decide not to enter Brandon Wilde for any reason other than death, disability for financial crisis (of self or spouse) before taking occupancy, Brandon Wilde will refund 60 percent of the initial deposit.
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8. Explain how the Entrance Fee refund provisions of the Residency Agreement will apply to me after I have moved into Brandon Wilde.
When Life Care residents leave Brandon Wilde, they may be entitled to a refund of a portion of the original Entrance Fee in accordance with the Entrance Fee plan they have selected. "Refundable Plan" residents or their estate are entitled to receive the majority of the original Entrance Fee.
"Traditional Plan" residents or their estate are entitled to a partial refund of the original Entrance Fee only during the first 47 months of occupancy at Brandon Wilde. "Traditional Plan" refunds are reduced in value 2 percent per month. Refunds for both Entrance Fee plans are subject to the receipt of an Entrance Fee from a subsequent resident for a unit of the same type. Refund provisions for each Entrance Fee plan are described in full in the Residency Agreements available from any Brandon Wilde marketing representative.
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9. Will moving to Brandon Wilde have any effect on my income taxes?
Yes. Moving to Brandon Wilde may affect your taxes in two ways. First, regardless of the Entrance Fee plan chosen, a significant portion of the fees paid to Brandon Wilde may be used as a deduction on your income tax return. The amount, application, and timing of this health care-related deduction may vary according to your tax situation.
Secondly, if you are considering selecting the Refundable Entrance Fee plan, you need to be aware that the internal Revenue Service considers refundable fees paid above the set IRS exemption amount to be a below market rate loan. This means the IRS will impute taxable interest earning each year to the excess portion of your Refundable Entrance Fee. The "Traditional" Entrance Fee plan is not subject to imputed interest.
Please ask your Brandon Wilde sales counselor for the most current information on both of these tax-related matters.
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10. Describe the Monthly Fee and the services covered.
In addition to the Entrance Fee, residents pay a Monthly Fee. The Monthly Fee is assessed to provide the facilities, programs and services described throughout this Web site and is intended to meet the cost associated with the operation and management of Brandon Wilde. The Monthly Fee is related to the size and type of living accommodation and the number of occupants.
The Monthly Fee covers: one meal per day in the Brandon Wilde dining room for each resident; (other meals are available at an additional charge); basic utilities such as, electricity, air conditioning, heating , water, trash removal and municipal services (all residents are responsible for telephone and cable services); weekly housekeeping services; changing and laundering of personal bed and bath linens; personal laundry facilities; individual mailbox; security staff; convenient parking; scheduled transportation; outdoor lighting; full participation in all planned social, recreational, educational and health programming; use of Brandon Wilde's Wellness Center; 24-Hour nursing and professional staff for consulting, assistance and emergency services; administrative services; maintenance of the interior and exterior of buildings, roads, driveways and all common areas; landscaping and groundskeeping; the use and benefit of the common facilities and amenities.
Should a resident need nursing care either temporarily or permanently, the cost of nursing care in a skilled or personal care accommodation in the Brandon Wilde Health Center is included in the regular monthly fee. The resident would only pay for the additional meals per day, the cost of prescription and non-prescription medications, surgical, dental and optical services, physical examinations, ancillary costs, and any medical service beyond the available in the Brandon Wilde living in the Village. It does include the other available services mentioned.
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11. Is the Monthly Fee fixed or is it subject to change?
The monthly residential fee is subject to change. This fee is based on the cost of operating Brandon Wilde and funding reserves for future health care costs. The average increase keeps pace with inflation. Brandon Wilde operates on a not-for-profit basis for the sole benefit of its residents.
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12. Describe the dining service at Brandon Wilde.
Brandon Wilde provides residents with the finest quality in food and service. Breakfast and two meals are offered each day in the spacious, beautifully furnished dining room. Residents may choose which meal - mid-day or evening - will be their meal of the day.
Residents and their guests are seated in the dining room by a hostess. The meals are served "club style." Residents order from a menu and are served at the table by waiters and waitresses. Family and friends are welcome to any meal, and residents are invited to entertain guests as frequently as they wish.
Special diets and tray service are provided to accommodate particular health care requirements.
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13. What residential services are offered at additional costs?
In addition to the standard services provided in the Monthly Fee, Brandon Wilde provides, at added cost, the availability of additional meals each day; guest meals; limited guest accommodations; catering for special occasions; beautician and barber services; items from the gift shop; personal laundry and dry cleaning; planned group activities in the larger community for concerts, theater productions, ballet, etc.; planned group tours and travel opportunities; and covered parking.
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14. Describe the prominent features of the apartments.
The apartments at Brandon Wilde have been designed for comfort and distinctive living, yet careful consideration has been given to specifications that provide maximum safety and accessibility. These features might seem minor in day-to-day life, but they provide residents with a peace of mind.
The one- and two-bedroom apartments and cottage units feature gorgeous living spaces for maximum flexibility in furnishings; patios; balconies or bay windows; spacious closets; fully equipped kitchens with frost free refrigerator/freezer and ice maker; dishwasher; four-burner range/oven; overhead lighting; over-sink lighting; generous storage and cabinet space; bathrooms with shower and shower/tub combination and vanities; emergency call systems in bathrooms and bedrooms connected to the central system in the main building and cottages for 24-hour security and nursing assistance; smoke detector; central heating and air conditioning systems with individual thermostatic controls; insulated windows; lever door handles; and pre-wired central television and telephone outlets.
In addition, the individual cottages include a washer and dryer, garage facilities and a private patio or sun room.
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15. May residents further decorate or make changes in the apartment or cottage?
Certainly! Residents use their personal furnishings to reflect their own tastes and preferences. However, approved custom renovations are the financial responsibility of the resident, and remain the property of Brandon Wilde.
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16. What are the age and health requirements for admission to the residential apartments or cottages at Brandon Wilde?
A resident must be 62 years of age. A spouse may be 60 years of age. Residents must be in good health and capable of living independently.
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17. Who determines admittance to Brandon Wilde?
The Admissions Committee of the Board of Directors and the staff carefully screen all applications and administer the admissions policies and procedures.
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18. What is the procedure for admission to Brandon Wilde?
Following a meeting with a Brandon Wilde representative, the prospective resident selects an apartment or cottage floor plan, completes either a Waiting List Agreement or a Residency Agreement and makes the appropriate deposit. Within 30 days, the prospective resident must complete and submit the Application for Admission. The Admissions Committee reviews all applications and decides on admittance, contingent up on a financial review and the final physician's report.
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19. Describe the accommodations and services in the Brandon Wilde Health Center.
Brandon Wilde complements its independent living environment with a state-of-the-art health center with accommodations, services and special amenities on-site for those residents who can no longer remain in an independent setting.
The private personal care accommodations in The Colonnade are designed for those individuals who require some supervision or minimal assistance with the activities of daily living. This may involve supervision of medications, assistance with bathing or dressing and monitoring of minor health-related conditions. Residents who need some assistance after a hospitalization may reside in temporary rooms in The Colonnade until they have recuperated and are able to return to their independent living units. The Colonnade provides spacious private rooms and suites, as well as a private dining room, living room, activity room, sunporch/atrium and patio. Personal belongings and furniture are encouraged. All, however, must conform to health regulations, policies and available space.
Skilled nursing care in The Pavilion includes 24-hour supervision and assistance in activities of daily living and health-oriented care. The facilities include 36 private rooms, 14 semi-private rooms, a special care unit for residents with Alzheimer's and dementia-related disorders, private dining rooms, living rooms, activity rooms, patios, bathing rooms and a nurses station. The skilled nursing care accommodations exceed the State of Georgia Licensure requirements.
The Brandon Wilde Medical Director, a local licensed physician, oversees the operation and performance of the Brandon Wilde Health Center.
The Health Center is staffed with a Nursing Home Administrator, Director of Nursing, Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses convenience and quality of the on-site services and facilities of the Health Center, and especially from the economic benefit of the "Life Care" concept.
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20. Who determines when a resident will move to a different level of health care or receive additional health services?
Such a determination is based on the physical and mental health and safety of the resident. The decision to transfer a resident to a different level of health care is made by Brandon Wilde's Medical Director, Director of Nursing and the Executive Director using a professional assessment procedure.
Such a move is made only after consultation to the extent practical with the resident and the resident's family and physician.
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21. If transferred to the Brandon Wilde Health Center, when would a resident be asked to give up his or her apartment or cottage?
Many stays in the Health Center are temporary. A resident is asked to give up his or her apartment or cottage only after it has been reasonably determined that the stay in the Health Center will be long term and a move back to the apartment or cottage unlikely.
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22. What are Brandon Wilde's ancillary health care services that are not included in the Monthly Fee?
Brandon Wilde may arrange at your request ancillary health care services such as a physical therapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, rehabilitative treatments and equipment, ambulance services, limited pharmacy or laboratory tests, companion services, and bandages, etc., at additional cost to the resident. Some of these services will be billed separately by the professional providing the services.
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23. What happens when a resident becomes ill or injured and needs attention?
Qualified nursing staff is available 24 hours a day in the Brandon Wilde Health Center and may be summoned by telephone or the emergency call system in each resident's apartment or cottage.
The staff provides the resident with prompt attention and if necessary, contacts a physician, calls an ambulance or offers emergency assistance.
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24. May a resident at Brandon Wilde move into a different apartment or cottage in the future?
Yes, residents have priority access to all accommodations over waiting list applicants. Priority is based on a "first come, first serve" basis and is contingent upon availability. Residents may request to be placed on the waiting list for specific apartment or cottages. Additional charges, if any, will be based on fees in the effect at the time of the move.
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The information contained on this page may be amended or changed as new policies and other information become available. |
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