We're Glad You Asked

Choosing a retirement community is a thought-provoking and often bewildering process. It means deciding about a lifestyle that will work best for you now and in the future. It means selecting a neighborhood where you feel at home among people whose interests you share. Most of all, it means eliminating worries about your future.

People have asked us hundreds of questions as they have considered their move to this unique community. We have gathered a list of the most frequently asked questions in the hope of making the decision about your future a bit easier.

Q. What is Santa Marta?

Santa Marta is a resort-style community for people 62 and over that contains three defining elements. First, it is a residential neighborhood that encourages wellness through an active independent lifestyle and the companionship of close friends. Second, it provides services, events and special amenities that enhance independent living. Third, it provides every resident guaranteed access to on-site assisted living, memory support and private nursing care at little or no additional cost should they ever need it. Because Santa Marta provides all this, and does so without the concern of the escalating costs of health care, it is called a Life Care community.

Q. What is so special about a Life Care community?

Life Care is like having a "lifetime guarantee" ─ all the care you might need in the future and lifetime coverage for the cost of that care. Living at Santa Marta eliminates the time-consuming chore of home maintenance, fear of becoming a burden to relatives, the concerns of aging among strangers, and worries about the availability and cost of quality long-term care. Life Care at Santa Marta combines unparalleled financial security and peace of mind, with a truly independent lifestyle and wide range of services and amenities, in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Kansas City.

Q. How much does it cost?

The cost of living at Santa Marta is made up of a one-time entry fee that is 90% refundable to you or your estate regardless of how long you live there and a monthly service fee. The entry fee and monthly service fee depends on the floor plan you choose.

Q. What does the monthly service fee cover?

You will find you scarcely have to write any checks once you move to Santa Marta. The monthly fee covers just about everything: full interior and exterior maintenance of your apartment home or villa and the beautifully landscaped grounds including a heated underground parking garage. The community amenities and recreational activities include a fitness center, indoor heated pool and therapy spa, chapel, card and game rooms, library, business center, beauty salon and barbershop, formal living and private dining rooms. Residents of Santa Marta are also given a monthly dining credit of $490 to use in our on-site restaurant, Botticelli's, or café Della Terra. We provide all utilities (with the exception of your phone and internet), weekly housekeeping and laundering of your flat linens, on-site security with emergency call systems in each apartment home or villa, scheduled transportation, plus unlimited use of assisted living, memory support and private nursing care when or if needed.

Q. Will the monthly fees go up?

Yes, it is reasonable to expect annual increases in the monthly fee to offset increases in the cost of utilities, staff salaries and operating expenses. The industry average increase is between three to five percent.

Q. What happens if my spouse needs nursing care and I don't? Do we have to pay two fees? Do we have to move from our apartment home or villa?

No, you will not have to pay two fees and no, you do not have to move from your apartment home or villa. This is the true financial protection of Life Care. Even if one of you is in your apartment home or villa and the other is in nursing care, memory support or assisted living, you pay only the monthly fee for your apartment home or villa plus two extra meals for any long-term care.

Q. How do I reserve an apartment home or villa at Santa Marta?

You place 10% of the entry fee on the apartment home or villa of your choice. You do not pay anything else until you move in.

Q. What if I decide not to move in?

If you have to cancel your reservation due to reasons beyond your control, you would receive your full deposit back. If you simply change your mind, you still receive your deposit less a $500 processing fee.