Life at The Covington
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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What does retirement living at The Covington offer?
A. Life at The Covington offers an unregimented lifestyle at the most prestigious retirement community in Orange County. Free from the burden of maintaining your own home you can enjoy a community that fits your changing needs. The Covington is located on a hilltop cooled by ocean breezes with a spectacular panoramic view of the Saddleback Mountains and valley. We offer a wealth of services and activities to enrich your life socially, recreationally, educationally, and spiritually in the company of people who share common interests. As a continuing care retirement community, we offer three levels of care so that you may remain in your own community, surrounded by friends, as your needs change.
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Q. What is a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community)?
A. A CCRC is a community designed with different levels of care to meet residents changing needs. It provides the assurance that you will have access to an increased level of care should the need arise.
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Q. What levels of care does The Covington offer?
A. The Covington offers three levels of healthcare: Independent Living, Assisted Living including Memory Impairment Care, and a Skilled Nursing Facility. Independent Living offers residents the freedom to live independently in an active community. For residents living in Independent Living, extra in-home services can be provided for certain circumstances-for example if you need help bathing or dressing. If over time you need more assistance with daily activities, Assisted Living offers thirty apartments ranging from studios to one and two bedrooms. Ten suites are also available in our memory impairment neighborhood, The Courtyard.

If the time comes that you need ongoing care and services, it is reassuring to know that you'll receive nurturing care in the 24 private suites of the Skilled Nursing Facility. In a CCRC you can remain in your own community with familiar surroundings and the companionship of close friends even as your needs increase.
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Q. Are Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing included in my entrance fee?
A. We do not charge residents for services until such time as they actually need them; therefore, healthcare costs are not included. You are, however, entitled to 10 days of care per year in our Skilled Nursing Facility with a 30-day maximum lifetime benefit as part of your monthly fee.
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Q. Is The Covington close to area hospitals and medical offices?
A. We are close to two excellent hospitals: Saddleback Memorial and Mission Regional which are both about 10 minutes away. Hoag Memorial, in Newport Beach, and South Coast in Laguna are 15-20 minutes away. Both Hoag and South Coast have Medical Centers in Aliso Viejo. Kaiser Permanente has several facilities in the area and in 2007 a new one will be opening nearby.
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Q. Who owns The Covington?
A. The Covington is a nonprofit, nondenominational community owned and operated by The Episcopal Home Communities, an established provider of quality care for seniors since 1923.
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Q. What is the advantage of a nonprofit community?
A. As a nonprofit community we are not charged with the task of returning a profit to investors. In lieu of paying dividends to stockholders, we are able to reinvest the proceeds above the cost of operation into enhanced services for our residents. As a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, we are also exempt from paying most property taxes. Because of our favored tax status, we have a responsibility to provide services not only to the residents, but to benefit the community in which we are located.

Gifts made to The Covington are fully tax-deductible. If you are interested in exploring the many options available for enhancing your own income while making a deferred gift, please let us know. Planned gifts can increase your current income significantly and simultaneously yield substantial tax deductions. Appreciated stock or real estate, for example, incur no capital gains when gifted to a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation; in addition, the total value at the time of the gift may be deducted.  We can provide advice and counseling free of charge to you, if you would like to consider such a giving opportunity.
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Q. How do I reserve a home at The Covington?
A. Once you select a residence and have completed the application process, you will sign the Deposit Agreement and tender a deposit in the amount of 20% of your entrance fee. The deposit is placed in a trust account and will accrue interest, all of which is refundable should you decide to cancel your reservation. This deposit reserves your cottage or apartment. A separate non-refundable processing fee of $750 is also required. At move in you will pay the balance due of the entrance fee as well as your first month's fee.
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Q. How does the 90% Re-occupancy Benefit work?
A. Once your residence is re-occupied, The Covington will return 90% of your entrance fee to you should you leave, or to your estate should you pass away. The 90% Re-occupancy benefit is guaranteed no matter how long you reside at The Covington. Should you leave within the first 90 days of occupancy 100% of you entrance fee will be returned.
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Q. What types of residences are offered at The Covington?
A. We are the only retirement community in the area to offer both single and duplex cottages in addition to our apartments. We offer three spacious cottage floor plans ranging from 1 bedroom, 1 ½ bath, and den to 2 bedroom, 2 bath, and den, all with attached garages. Our eleven apartment floor plans range from 1 bedroom,1 bath to 2 bedroom, 2 bath, and den.
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Q. What is covered in the Monthly Fee?
A. The monthly fee covers 30 meals per month in the dining room plus a daily continental breakfast in The Marketplace. It covers all utilities including electricity, water, gas, and trash pickup (personal telephone excluded). In addition, cable television, a 24-hour call system, weekly housekeeping, grounds keeping, repairs, maintenance, local transportation and ten days per year (30 lifetime benefit) in the Skilled Nursing Facility are included.
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Q. What kind of health and fitness activities do you offer?
A. We are committed to enhancing the well being of our residents. As part of your monthly fee, you receive preventative health services such as an annual health assessments, weekly blood pressure monitoring, and minor first aid in our Wellness Center.

In addition, you will have access to the fitness center and exercise room. Our exercise equipment is especially geared toward seniors with air pressurized weights that provide smooth resistance. Our fitness center also offers exercise classes and an indoor lap pool with water aerobics classes and a spa. Individually tailored and monitored fitness programs, physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy are also available for an additional charge.
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Q. What are the dining services like?
A. The 30 meals per month included in your monthly fee can be used for lunch or dinner in the dining room. Your thirty meals accumulate within each month, but do not carry over from month to month. Our fine dining service will offer you a choice between the standard fare, weekly menu, or the chef's specials of the day. In addition, a daily continental breakfast is served in The Marketplace. We have two private dining rooms available for parties, special occasions, or family gatherings. You may apply any of your 30 meals toward special occasions, or you may wish to have us cater it.
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Q. Can extra meals be purchased if needed?
A. Yes, of course. Your key card will record all meals including those over your monthly allotment. Extra charges will appear on your monthly statement in addition to your normal monthly fee.
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Q. What kinds of activities are available?
A. The Covington provides a wide range of social, educational, and cultural activities, including art classes (painting, weaving, pottery), bridge tournaments, billiards, lectures, and educational instruction. There is a large woodworking shop in the basement. You may garden will fellow green thumbs in the community garden area or stroll along the walking path around the community. Our outdoor areas are enhanced by large grassy areas and a putting green. For entertainment, performers are often brought to the Covington to perform for residents. And for an additional cost residents can attend trips to venues such as the Orange County Performing Arts Center.
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Q. What kind of security measures are provided at The Covington?
A. Every precaution is taken to provide for your safety and security. We have slip-proof showers and tubs with grab bars. Our 24-hour emergency response system includes a remote pendant to carry on your person. The Covington has the latest in fire and heat detection technology. It is a gated community monitered by security personnel. In addition, security cameras are installed at building entrances, in the parking garage, and throughout the campus. The elevators are also equipped with emergency telephones.
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Q. What are the qualifications for moving to The Covington?
A. You must be 60 years or older to join the community. You will be asked to complete a Confidential Financial Application and Confidential Health Information Form, as well as a Physician's Report. Our evaluation is based on both financial and health factors within the parameters set by the state.
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Q. Are pets allowed?
A. Small pets are allowed as long as they are well behaved and do not create a nuisance for other residents. You are responsible to clean up after them. There is a one time, non-refundable $500 pet fee. Please request a copy of The Pet Policy for more information.
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Q. Will I still need my health insurance?
A. Yes, and as a condition to our Care and Residence Agreement, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B, or a substitute accepted by The Covington.
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Q. May I retain my family physician?
A. Yes, we encourage you to retain your family physician. Our Medical Director will confer with him or her whenever possible in case of an emergency.
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Q. Why should I decide now?
A. Retirement living has changed–it is a more active and independent lifestyle than it was even ten years ago. People are retiring earlier and enjoying a more carefree lifestyle while their health is good. Making the decision now relieves your children and their families of the possible burden of having to make these decisions under duress. An important decision like this is best made while you can still enjoy the benefits of a community like The Covington.