Tom Ryan and his wife, Rosemary, moved to Smith Crossing from Frankfort about a year ago. Since then, the retired State Farm Insurance executive has noted that fees associated with living in the continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located in Orland Park have helped make that a good financial decision.
The entry fee of 90 percent is refundable to the Ryans’ estate or if they decide to move to another retirement community. Permanent residency also includes a $48,000 credit per person for long-term care applied over four years at a rate of $1,000 per month. Long-term care options include: assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing care services. And, should the Ryans remain at Smith Crossing long enough to outlive their resources, they won’t have to worry about what will happen, thanks to Emilie’s Fund, which annually provides approximately $1 million of support to Smith residents who have outlived their means.
The Ryans aren’t the only Smith Crossing residents sold on life in the community, which recently received its second five-year accreditation and its first Gold Seal from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Smith Crossing is one of only 13 CCRCs in Illinois and 500 in the nation to hold an accreditation from CARF, which sets the gold standard for CCRCs worldwide.
Like Tom Ryan, Tony Sorrentino and Lorraine Kane recently shared their insights about the benefits of their Smith Crossing lifestyle at a recent luncheon for prospective residents who were given a tour of the retirement community that is home to 281 older adults.
“The biggest mistake people make is not considering the value of the amenities offered by a retirement community. Just in terms of dollars and cents, they need to figure what they actually get for the cost and compare that monthly fee with what they pay to live in a house that no longer serves their needs,” Ryan says.
For Sorrentino, a former engineer, much of the value of the community comes with meeting interesting and talented new neighbors. Sorrentino recently remarried and moved to Smith Crossing from Frankfort with his bride, Marilyn.
Sorrentino says he evaluated Smith Crossing and compared it to other retirement communities much on the order of considering specs for contracts he had once overseen.
“What we experience at Smith Crossing greatly exceeds our expectations,” he says. “We’re very pleased with our neighbors, with the staff and with our new home.”
Kane, a third speaker for the luncheon, recently moved to Smith Crossing. She still works two days a week at Suburban Towing, a local company that she owns and operates with her son, Jack, Jr.
She decided to downsize and move to a retirement community after her husband, John, passed away three years ago. For her, Smith Crossing fit the bill in terms of offering plenty of trips, planned activities, a Senior FITness Center, spa, library, and lots of opportunities to play bridge and pinochle. She also says she appreciates the places relatives can enjoy while visiting: a movie theater, pub, community store, courtyards and lunch Bistro.
“My grandkids say the Bistro is just awesome,” she says. “Beyond that I love my new apartment, and I love the elegance of the main dining room, the table cloths with napkins and fresh flowers. I appreciate the cleanliness. The staff is just fabulous too.”
Smith Crossing, at 10501 Emilie Lane in south suburban Orland Park just north of I80 and west of LaGrange Road, recently opened the final phase of a $37 million expansion to increase its capacity by nearly 60 percent.
For more information, call 708-326-2300 or visit SmithCrossing.org.
