LiveWell By Blakeford FAQs

LiveWell By Blakeford is a membership program for people who are healthy and independent and wish to live in their own homes as they age. LiveWell combines features of retirement community living, home care assistance, and long-term care insurance into one innovative package.

You should join now and not wait until later. LiveWell is for healthy and active individuals who are aged 60 and older. If you have a change in health status or functional abilities, you may no longer qualify. Additionally, joining LiveWell means you have a plan in place, no matter what may happen. Our LiveWell members say that they experience significant peace of mind knowing they have a plan, a provider, and professional support ready if they ever need it.

Long-term care costs are incredibly high – nursing homes in our area cost from $85K to $125K per year, per person. Further, the likelihood that we’ll all need assistance is very high. Seventy percent of us 65 and over will need some care in the future, and for an average duration of 3 years. By paying now, you will set up your costs so they are predictable over time, and they won’t change because you are accessing services through your LiveWell plan. And finally, you will see considerable savings over the cost of unplanned and unexpected care, which means lifelong asset protection.

LiveWell is for people who are 60 years of age or older and live in Davidson, Williamson, and Wilson Counties. LiveWell is for people who are making a future plan for their long-term care needs, and you must be healthy and independent to be eligible for membership. It is not an immediate service to those who are in need of assistance.

The application includes a friendly visit from our RN care coordinator who will talk with you about your medical history, your lifestyle, and conduct a brief memory screening. It also includes signing a release so that the program can request your recent medical records. It can take about 2-4 weeks to become a member after participating in the application.

Family and friends are excellent resources, but it’s hard for them to do it all. What if you can no longer drive? What if you develop a chronic illness and you need regular assistance with household chores? What if you have surgery and need help as you recover? Are your friends and family members able to take off work to assist you? Would they be able to transport you to weekly medical appointments or drop by daily to help you with your care needs? LiveWell members join because they want to be in control of their decisions, want to have a professional resource to turn to for assistance with care, and don’t want to create a burden on family or close friends.

Yes, it makes good sense to consider LiveWell, even if you have LTCi. Your policy provides financial relief only in the case that you have a high level of need (typically defined as needing “substantial assistance with 2 out of 5 activities of daily living”). However, your policy will not organize care or caregivers, stipulates waiting periods and maximum limits, and has strict eligibility requirements. Joining LiveWell ensures that you are completely covered and will have access to the care you need as soon as you need it and for as long as you need it. Plus, your LiveWell membership provides you with a personal care coordinator who is your connection to the program and your advocate and is available 24/7/365.

No. Medicare only pays for long-term care if you require skilled services, like physical therapy or short-term in-patient rehabilitation. It does not pay for non-medical assistance with transportation, personal care, home chores, or medication assistance. Statistics indicate that these are the things for which you are most likely to need long-term care assistance.

Seniors who are unsure if they want to remain in their own homes for the remainder of their lives – especially in the event of a spouse or significant other passing away – may feel more confident knowing that they can easily transition to Blakeford’s Independent Living residential community if they change their mind. The LiveWell member must meet the medical and financial criteria set by Blakeford at Green Hills and must complete a Life Care Residency Agreement. They then have two options: 1)  Retain the LiveWell membership, and LiveWell will cover care in the new residence; 2) Terminate the LiveWell agreement. 90% of the LiveWell Membership Fee will then be applied toward the cost of the Entrance Fee at Blakeford at Green Hills.

It is the care coordinator’s job to assess the need and to recommend the care plan that meets that need. However, it’s our intent to include our members and their families in that decision-making process. For example, we had a member that fell and broke his hip. We worked with that member, his spouse, daughters, doctors, and physical therapists to develop the most appropriate care plan. Through communication and collaboration, we’re able to develop a care plan that is just right for each of our members.

LiveWell has several different plans (Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Sterling are the most popular) and coverage amounts. Each plan has different pricing, based on an in-depth actuarial analysis. Each plan has two fees. A one-time membership fee, which is based on the age you are when you join and then an ongoing monthly fee. If you are interested in discussing which plan is best for you, we’d be happy to review plans and pricing and provide you with a specific quote on the recommended plan for you.

As an affiliate of Blakeford, LiveWell is backed by a successful nonprofit organization with a 25-year history of serving Middle Tennessee. Members of LiveWell have access to all the expertise and services that Blakeford has to offer, and LiveWell members receive priority if they ever choose to move into Blakeford at Green Hills. LiveWell is accountable to the same high standards and business management as Blakeford, Inc.