Savannah Couple "Reinvents" Retirement at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida

GAINESVILLE, FL -- Like many mature adults, Clyde and Sandra Smith of The Landings in Savannah found planning for the future in today’s uncertain economic times a challenge. But after much research, they found a way to protect their assets, safeguard their estate, and build a more secure future – all in a stimulating environment with a focus on preventive health, personal growth and enrichment.

The Smiths will live at Oak Hammock at the University of Florida which opens this spring -- a community in Gainesville, FL, that offers a long-term healthcare program called Life Care in a town that AARP Magazine named one of the "15 Best Places to Reinvent Your Life."

"When we found Oak Hammock, we recognized that it will be just what we are looking for – a community that will provide us a home for active, independent living now and quality care for whatever health needs we have in the future," Clyde said.

Value, Security, Asset Protection
It’s no secret that the cost of long-term care can be financially devastating with a lack of planning. According to the American Council of Life Insurers, "Estimates show that within the next 30 years, expenses for home-health and skilled-nursing care will quadruple, reaching $68,000 per year for a home health aide and $241,000 for a year of skilled nursing care."

Yet, many people fail to factor long-term care into their financial planning equation. People like the Smiths, who want to control where and how they’re going to live – if they ever do need long-term care – are turning to the protection and other benefits of life care communities like Oak Hammock at the University of Florida.

"We want our next move to be well suited to that stage of our lives, just as previous moves have been right for each of those times," Sandra said. "We can’t hold onto a past that’s no longer available. As we have seen with our aging parents, changes are more traumatic when we’re older, and decisions are more difficult to make. We’ve made a decision before circumstances require us to change our life style, and we’re excited about it. We think that Oak Hammock will be just right for us."

Some of the ways Oak Hammock provides exceptional value, security and asset protection include:

But, the Smiths and others say, that’s just the beginning. A college town with many options for arts and entertainment, outdoor recreation and some of Florida’s finest health care (as cited by AARP Magazine) are more reasons to call Oak Hammock home.

"Clyde and I are happy living at The Landings, and we’d like to keep living here, but when the burdens of home ownership and physical care outweigh the joy we have in our house, garden, club, and local friends, we know we’ll have to move," Sandra said.

Reinventing Retirement Living
Oak Hammock is a Life Fulfilling Community based on a 21st century model that focuses on life-long learning, fitness and health – all wrapped up in a resort-style environment with intellectual stimulation and interesting neighbors. Because Oak Hammock is affiliated with the University of Florida, the Smiths and other members will have campus privileges similar to those enjoyed by university faculty and staff. This includes access to sports – featuring the University of Florida’s 1921 Donald Ross-designed golf course -- performing arts events, library and research facilities and more.

Oak Hammock features 18 different home designs in a spectacular 136-acre wooded setting, a 22,000 square-foot fitness center, two heated pools and an impressive list of amenities including a performing arts studio, arts and crafts studios, a business/computer center and woodworking shop.

Clyde and Sandra, both avid gardeners, bird-watchers and "not-too-serious" bridge-players at The Landings, said the climate and terrain of Oak Hammock are similar to Savannah, reminding them of the Old South, not Coastal Florida.
"We will miss the Georgia marshes – but not the coastal sand gnats – and we won’t miss the coastal hurricane threats and evacuations," the Smiths said.