Frequently Asked Questions about Senior Living in White Bear Lake
Q: What’s the difference between Assisted Living and Independent Living?
A: A resident who chooses the “independent living” package rents an apartment like they would in a regular apartment building. The benefit of living at The Pillars of White Bear Lake as an independent resident is the opportunity to participate in activities and entertainment, the choice to eat chef-prepared meals onsite, and the choice to have housekeeping.
A resident who chooses the “assisted living package” gets the benefits of the “independent living” package, and then also receive three meals a day, weekly housekeeping, two loads of laundry each week, an emergency safety alert system, daily safety checks, and access to our 24/7 nursing team.
Q: How much does Senior Living or Assisted Living cost? A: Cost of living does vary based on the size and style of apartment, as well as, what services you are interested in having. It is best to speak with our staff about your needs to be able to determine the cost. Q: Do you buy or rent apartments at The Pillars of White Bear Lake? A: The Pillars of White Bear Lake is a senior living rental community. Our leases are month-to-month, so there are no long-term commitments. We also offer a Stay by the Day option for Assisted Living and Memory Care in White Bear Lake, where guests can stay with us for a time as short as 3 weeks if they wish. Q: How does a person get to live in a Pillars Senior Living community? A: People who want to live at a Pillars senior community will typically visit and take a tour. We show them everything from the library to the pub, from the salon to the putting green. We help people get a feel for the community, the residents, and the leadership team. After taking a tour, many guests decided to put a reservation down on the apartment of their choice and schedule their move-in.
Q: Does Medicare or Health Insurance pay for senior living?
A: No. However, your health insurance may help to pay for some of the services you receive while living in our community. For example, if you decide to be seen by our visiting Fairview Geriatric Physicians or if you’re receiving prescribed physical therapy or hospice services from our visiting providers, those services can most likely be billed to your health insurance. Some people may have Long Term Care Insurance. Depending on your LTC Insurance Plan, that may help to reimburse you for some of the cost of the services you receive in our assisted living or memory care communities.
Q: Can we move in as a couple?
A: Yes! At The Pillars of White Bear Lake, couples can live together in their own apartment surrounded by their familiar belongings. A reduced fee for the 2nd occupant applies.
Q: Do I need a doctor’s order to live here?
A: As a part of our pre-move-in process, our Outreach and Sales Directors and our Directors of Health Services will need various pieces of information from you. Examples of needed information include: health information, financial information, family/next of kin information, etc.
Q: What’s the difference between Assisted Living and Memory Care?
A: Memory Care residents have short or long term memory challenges that make it best for them to live in a smaller, secure environment. Pillars Memory Cares’ provide residents with a warm, fun, friendly, close-knit neighborhood with individual studio apartments, community lounges and kitchens, specialized activity areas, and beautiful outside fenced gardens.
Each Pillars Memory Care offers the Ebenezer Dimensions program—designed to fully engage both resident and their families. Thanks in part from support of the Pillars Fund, we offer our residents everything from fitness and baking classes, to aroma therapy and array of activities.