Becoming a Resident

The decision to move to a senior living community is an important one that requires thoughtful consideration backed by thorough research and straightforward information. This decision guide is intended to give you a way to educate yourself and the people you love about the many benefits of living at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury.

Decision Guide

This decision guide is designed to help seniors who are considering a move to Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury to analyze their reasons for making this important decision. It is also intended to help you communicate openly with your family and friends. The questions and information below provide a useful way to affirm your decision and to begin discussions with others about your future plans.

There are many. First, as a resident here, you’ll not only live in one of the most lovely locations in the Shenandoah Valley of Northern Virginia, you join a small, intimate group of friends from an incredible range of backgrounds: authors, teachers, military officers, homemakers, business and government leaders, artists and artisans.

Second, we offer a wide choice of beautiful cottages and apartments for seniors —all maintenance-free, for easy living. Third, as a Lifecare community, we provide the full range of health care services with little change in monthly fees—a sound alternative to the ever-rising cost of long-term care. Enjoy retirement living with no worries.  There’s no need to gamble on the future with regards to your healthcare or your financial freedom.

What’s more, we are financially strong, with more than 33 years of success. In fact, we are accredited by CARF-CCAC, the independent authority that evaluates continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) for fiscal stewardship and quality of services. Only 12% of all CCRCs in America earn this distinction.

And then there’s the biggest reason – our employees and professional staff, who are by far our most important asset. Our primary goal is to deliver individually-focused service and support in a residential community setting.

Here our focus is on a healthy and maintenance-free lifestyle that leaves you the freedom to spend your retirement as you like. As one of the top retirement communities in Northern Virginia, we ensure that everything here is designed for comfort, style and, above all, abundant choices — from your fitness routine to your dining venues to your plans for the day.

From our Bistro Concert Series to guest lecturers from the region’s great universities, you’ll find engrossing events happening all the time. And our state-of-the-art fitness center, walking trails and on-site medical staff all promote good health so you can enjoy everything this extraordinary retirement community has to offer.

Popular amenities make life easy and convenient. Services include a hair salon, full-service bank with ATM, postal services, library, resident business center and gift shoppe. Residents also enjoy free transportation to local appointments.

With Winchester, Virginia, as your home base, our senior living community puts you at the center of fun and fascination in every direction. Enjoy sightseeing amid spectacular scenery, relive history in great museums and on legendary battlefields, attend music and theater performances, play golf, go antiquing and more. Visit the Patsy Cline Museum, explore the Luray Caverns, hike the Appalachian Trail, or attend the Shenandoah Wine Festival. There’s so much to do and see, all right in your backyard.

We’re so sure you’ll love the Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury lifestyle, we even give you a 100% money-back guarantee.

It goes without saying – moving from your present home to a residential senior community is a big decision. In many ways, it’s a family decision that affects not only you, but your loved ones, too. Rest assured that you will be cared for and also given the freedom you desire and the caring you deserve.  Living at SVWC allows both you and your family to live life to the fullest, with the peace of mind of knowing that a caring team is and always will be available when needed.

That’s why it’s important that your family members are fully on board and support you in the decision you make.

Talk it over with your family. Discuss candidly the primary reasons why you are considering a move (e.g., health concerns, minimizing household chores and home maintenance, opportunities for socializing).

Your transition will be made easier by ensuring your family’s questions are answered, and that they are well-informed. When the time is right, offer them a tour of Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury. Let them meet our staff members and residents and hear first-hand how supportive our retirement community is and how satisfied current residents are.

These testimonies will go a long way toward easing your loved ones’ concerns and reassuring them you are making the right move. Above all, remember that your children and other family members love and care about you. Your happiness and well-being are their utmost concerns. When they see you are confident about your future, they will be confident – and supportive – too.

For those of retirement age, preservation of available finances is of utmost importance now more than ever. As a Lifecare community, Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury does not raise monthly fees when a resident transitions from independent living to another level of care. Thus residents’ investments are protected from ever-increasing health care costs. Moreover, monthly fees are predictable, as fee increases occur only annually if necessary to meet the cost of living.

Residents have a right to expect that the senior living community they choose as their home is governed and operated in a manner that allows it to remain financially sound and meet its long-term commitments to residents.

Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury is always willing to provide financial information to allow prospective residents to understand the financial condition of the organization. Examples include audited financial statements, financial forecasts, and information regarding accreditation, debt service and reserves.

At Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury, we adhere to established industry standards for full financial disclosure concerning our operations. These Best Practices are established by Leading Age™ and the American Seniors Housing Association.

It is important to us that each resident thoroughly understand our overall financial condition, the specific terms of the agreement for housing, care and other services, as well as our policies governing refund and/or repayment of initial entry fees.

Steps to Becoming a Resident

Step 1:

Contact a representative from SVWC to discuss your options for choosing your new home.  Your options range from joining our Future Residency Program and choosing an existing residence when it becomes available to reserving one of our Expansion Villas now.

Step 2:

To join our Future Residency Program, a fully refundable $1,000 deposit is required along with the completion of the Future Residency Priority Agreement. You will receive a priority reservation number based on the date that you join. When you choose an available residence, you will reserve with a 10% deposit of the Entrance Fee and sign a Reservation Agreement.  Your date of contract is set for 60 days from the time of reservation.

Reserve a Villa with a 10% Deposit (of the total entrance fee) paid in two installments. To begin the application process and secure your new Villa home, place a $5,000 Reservation Deposit. On or before April 30, 2021, pay the remaining 10% Deposit balance. Should something change about your financial or medical situation prior to moving in, you will receive a full refund of the Reservation Deposit. Should you change your mind about moving, there would be a 10% non-refundable portion retained from the Reservation Deposit.

Step 3:

If you complete a reservation on an existing apartment/cottage you will receive an application packet containing a confidential financial statement, application for residency and social history, and pre-admission medical examination report for your physician to complete. These documents are needed to perform your admission assessment. Other admission forms are also included in the packet.

If you reserve one of our Expansion Villas, you will receive an application packet as mentioned above and admission assessments will be scheduled accordingly.

Step 4:

If your new home is being renovated you can choose from a wide variety of standard selections for flooring, cabinets, countertops, etc. You also have the option to pay to upgrade or customize during the renovation process to create the space you want.

Step 5:

On your contract date your new home is ready for you to take occupancy.  The remaining 90% balance of your entrance fee is due, and your monthly fee begins.

Become a Future Residency Program Member

Moving into our community may be down the road a bit, but you can jump into the lifestyle with Priority Member Privileges right now. When you join our Future Residency Club, you can begin enjoying the Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury lifestyle now!

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