Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We have the answers you’re looking for. If you don’t see your question below, don’t hesitate to give us a call at 314.262.8272. Click below to see questions about…
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
In-Home Services
Affordable Housing
When is the right time to think about moving to an LSS community?
If you came to this page looking for answers about your future, then now is the right time. The ideal time for a person to move into a Continuing Care Retirement Community is while they are still active and able to enjoy a lifestyle free from the hassles and headaches of maintaining a household. Then, should your needs change, you will have priority access to the care you need just steps away.
How do I know moving into a senior living community is a sound decision?
Residents in our community quickly find out what a relief it can be to leave behind the financial worries that come with home ownership. The result: less stress and fewer surprises when it comes to their monthly budgets. They’re finding that life at a senior living community can be a major part of a wise financial strategy.
What will I pay to enter an LSS community?
Prior to moving in, most of our independent living residents pay an Entrance Fee. This amount helps us to keep your monthly service fees lower throughout the duration of your residency in our community. When you move out, we refund up to 95% of your Entrance Fee, depending on programs available at your location. Many of our communities offer rental options as well, in which no Entrance Fee is required.
Will my house sell in today’s economy?
We understand that you’re worried about watching your house depreciate in value, but the market is still in a state of transition. While it is taking longer on average to find a buyer, homes in our area are still selling. In the meantime, Lutheran Senior Services offers a bridge loan program to give you additional time to find a buyer. As a result, you can move in today and pay the Entrance Fee after you sell your house.
Are there financial options available for paying the entrance fee?
In today’s economy, everyone is looking for ways to get the best value for their money. Our stewardship directors offer creative ways to make your move workable, including options to lower your Entrance Fee. For example, by gifting your home to Lutheran Senior Services, you can convert your property into a tax-advantaged income stream. To learn more about ways to reduce or even eliminate your Entrance Fee, call 1.877.THANX2U, or email us at 
.
What levels of care are available at LSS communities?
Many LSS communities are full Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). This means that, in addition to offering independent living apartments and patio homes, they also offer assisted living or residential care, as well as skilled nursing care. Each of our CCRCs also offer memory care for residents living with Alzheimer’s; depending on the location, these programs may offer assisted living and/or skilled memory care. When you move into a Lutheran Senior Services CCRC, you gain priority access to higher levels of care, so that no matter how your needs change, the help you need is available just steps away. St. Louis-area residents can receive additional assistance through LSS In-Home Services, which offer medical and nonmedical programs to help you maintain your independence.
Can I bring my own furniture when I move in?
Absolutely. Your apartment or patio home is your home, and as such, you can furnish it however you like. You are also welcome to change the paint, wallpaper, carpet, tile, countertops, or fixtures to make the residence uniquely yours. Let our move-in services staff help you lay out your new floorplan and make arrangements for moving day.
What will I do with the rest of my belongings?
Our residents tell us that part of the appeal of moving into a senior living community is in making a fresh start. We completely understand the overwhelming decisions that accompany downsizing, especially if it has been several years since your last move. Our move-in services staff offers in-home assessments, guidance, and referrals that will help turn your downsizing into “rightsizing”.
Is my pet welcome at your community?
All Lutheran Senior Services CCRCs welcome pets, although some stipulations do apply, depending on the location. Be sure to ask the senior living counselor at the community of your choice to learn more.
Do I have to be Lutheran to move in?
Absolutely not. We welcome and respect people of all beliefs in our communities. As a result, our communities are home to people from a diverse mix of backgrounds. That principle applies to our staff as well; while we come from a variety of different traditions, LSS employees are united in our pursuit of serving older adults as Christ would serve them.
What can LSS In-Home Services do for me?
Lutheran Senior Services offers a wide variety of programs in the St. Louis area designed to meet the specific needs of seniors. These range from medical care to help around the house to preventative programs. Whether you are living in your own home or at one of our St. Louis-area communities, our friendly staff members are here to help you live life to the fullest, wherever you choose to live. To learn more, click here to visit our In-Home Services page.
What services are available through LSS Home Health?
Designed to help you recover from an injury or illness, LSS Home Health offers assessment, treatment, and education from caring professionals. Our nurses can provide wound care and help you understand your medical condition, while our therapists offer physical, occupational, and speech therapies. The LSS Home Health agency is Medicare certified. To learn more, click here to visit our Home Health page.
What does LSS Private Duty offer?
Private Duty is meant to serve as your “extra pair of hands”, offering extra help with the activities of daily life. From dressing and grooming to housekeeping and transportation, our range of personal and supportive care services is broad and easily tailored to meet your needs. To learn more, click here to visit our Private Duty page.
When should my loved one consider LSS Hospice Care?
While these services are for anyone whose life expectancy is six months or less, we recommend getting to know our compassionate, experienced Hospice Care staff as early as possible after diagnosis. In most cases, this can help us to create greater comfort for the patient and better assist families in preparing for the future. To learn more, click here to visit our Hospice Care page.
What is the LSS Good Neighbor Program and how does it work?
Lutheran Senior Services’ Good Neighbor Program has been linking clients with independent caregivers since 1976. Partially funded by the United Way, this free referral service can help you find providers of nonmedical in-home services. We also offer a handyman referral service as a public service. To learn more, click here to visit our Good Neighbor Program page.
What kinds of assistance does LSS Volunteer Money Management include?
Funded in part by the United Way, this service can connect you with a volunteer who can help organize your mail, send bill payments, manage your budget, organize personal papers, and much more, all under your direct supervision. To learn more, click here to visit our Volunteer Money Management page.
How can Living Safe Technologies help me maintain my independence?
Many older adults have an emergency call button in their home that triggers a call for help. With Home For Life Solutions’ state-of-the-art wireless sensors, you don’t even have to push a button when you’re in distress. Our passive monitoring sensors preserves your privacy while watching out for emergency situations in your home, from extreme temperatures to intruders to slips, trips, and falls. To learn more, click here to visit our Living Safe Technologies page.
How can LSS Outreach Social Services help me?
If you are concerned about how you will be able to live safely in your home, our Outreach Social Services staff members can offer solutions to meet your needs. We can provide assistance over the phone, through an in-home assessment, during an office consultation, or through geriatric care management. To learn more, click here to visit our Outreach Social Services page.
What is Senior LIFEsteps?
Senior LIFEsteps is a nationally recognized assessment, provided by health care professionals to help determine the best options to help seniors live independently. Provided through LSS Outreach Services, this test’s confidential results offer simple-to-understand recommendations about services and living arrangements that have helped other seniors in your situation. To learn more, click here to visit our Outreach Social Services page.
How can LSS Geriatric Care Management help me and my family?
If managing all the aspects of care for an aging loved one become too great, Geriatric Care Management is here to help. Provided through LSS Outreach Social Services, this program can coordinate, manage, and monitor health care services for seniors. Our geriatric care managers have the industry experience needed to find the best possible choices and solutions for your loved one. To learn more, click here to visit our Outreach Social Services page.
What is LSS Affordable Housing?
Lutheran Senior Services operates nine HUD 202 Affordable Housing communities in the St. Louis area to help older adults with fewer economic resources. Working in conjunction with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, these locations offer comfortable, secure residences, as well as a wealth of educational, social, and wellness-based activities to help our residents live life to the fullest.
Am I eligible to live at an LSS Affordable Housing community?
LSS Affordable Housing communities welcome older adults age 62 or better. (One of our communities, Centennial Plaza Apartments, allows residents under 62 who require handicap accessible housing.) Eligibility for housing is based on income limits as set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. To inquire about the current income guidelines, click here to find an LSS Affordable Housing community in your area.
How do I apply to become a resident?
The process for becoming an Affordable Housing resident begins with filling out an application for housing. To get started, call the site manager for the community of your choice. click here to find a location in your area
How much rent will I pay?
If you are eligible for Affordable Housing, your rent will be determined based upon your income. At some of our locations, utilities are included in the rent; ask the site manager at the community of your choice for more details.
How long does it take to get housing?
Many of our Affordable Housing communities have waiting lists. The length of those lists vary by location. To inquire about the average wait time for a community in your area, call that location’s site manager.
Are pets allowed in LSS Affordable Housing communities?
Many Lutheran Senior Services Affordable Housing locations welcome pets, although some stipulations do apply, depending on the location. Be sure to ask the site manager at the community of your choice to learn more.
What if I have special needs?
Many of our locations offer handicap-accessible apartments specially designed to serve your needs. To learn more about availability, be sure to ask the site manager at the community of your choice.
Will I have to pay a security deposit?
Yes. Your security deposit will be equal to one month’s rent before any utility allowance is deducted. The deposit is refundable when you move out, as long as all rent and other charges are paid.
Do your communities allow pets?
All LSS Affordable Housing residents are welcome to bring one pet, but some restrictions apply regarding size. An additional pet deposit is required upon move-in.
Are your communities smoke-free?
At this time, Hilltop Manor in Eureka, Missouri; Westfield Manor in Belleville, Illinois; and Rose Hill House II in Kirkwood, Missouri, are smoke-free locations.
