When most people think about their later years, they imagine aging in place, staying in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible. But as Ron Roel explores in this episode of 45 Forward, there’s another model of aging that’s transforming how we think about growing older: Life Plan Communities.
In this conversation, Gurwin Healthcare System President and CEO Stuart Almer shares insights into how Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) like Fountaingate Gardens are redefining what it means to age, not just with security, but with purpose, connection and genuine peace of mind.
Understanding Life Plan Communities
For many on Long Island, Life Plan Communities are still relatively new. Unlike traditional retirement communities or nursing homes that operate independently, Life Plan Communities integrate all levels of senior care into one comprehensive system.
“What we’ve created is really an all-inclusive lifestyle approach,” Stuart explains in the podcast. “Someone can move from a private residence into Fountaingate Gardens, a beautiful, high-end independent living community, and they are in a sense buying into the whole system.”
This means if your health needs change (whether you require assisted living, skilled nursing or memory care), you’ve already planned for it. And you won’t have to leave the community you call home.
Located on our 36-acre campus in Commack, Fountaingate Gardens opened just over three years ago as part of the Gurwin Healthcare System, which has provided quality senior care on Long Island for nearly four decades. Our community consists of 129 apartments across three interconnected buildings, plus our state-of-the-art Clubhouse that serves as the social heart of our community.
How the Financial Model Works
One of the most common questions involves the financial structure. Fountaingate Gardens Life Plan Community is an entry fee model that offers built-in healthcare security and a predictable financial future, making it easier for members to manage their personal finances.
Stuart outlines our two main contract options:
Type A (Life Care Contract)
Under this contract, one upfront fee covers priority access to unlimited lifetime care in any of Gurwin’s programs, should health needs ever change. If one spouse needs assisted living, the Life Care Contract provides a seamless transition without additional cost while the spouse remains in their Fountaingate Gardens apartment. When eventually vacated, 50-80% of the entry fee returns to the member or family, depending on the option chosen
Type B (Modified Contract)
Includes 60 days of lifetime coverage in assisted living or skilled nursing. This option is ideal for those with existing long-term care insurance.
Our monthly fees cover property taxes, all utilities, most meals through a meal credit program, fitness center with personal trainer access, heated saltwater pool, underground parking, and all amenities. “Someone might initially say, ‘Wow, this is expensive,'” Stuart admits in the podcast. “But when you look at all the costs they’re now paying for, it often becomes very affordable.”
Current members frequently tell us, “It’s so easy. I don’t have to worry about who’s going to mow the lawn or pay this bill. I never even turn on my oven.” Our community removes daily burdens that make aging at home increasingly stressful.
The Reality of Aging in Place vs. Aging in Community
Ron raises a point that resonates with many: surveys show 80-90% of people in their 50s want to age in place. It’s understandable until reality sets in. Ron shares his own basement pipe leak as an example of how home ownership challenges evolve:
“There is a time when a lot of people say, you know what, I do not want ‘assisted’ living, but ‘assistive’ living,” Ron observes. “You want to be independent but have these things are taken care of.”
The shift isn’t about giving up independence. It’s recognizing that true independence might mean having support systems in place before you desperately need them. It means planning when you’re not in crisis.
Creating Community Beyond Healthcare
While the healthcare continuum provides crucial peace of mind, what truly makes Fountaingate Gardens work is the vibrant community life. Our dedicated lifestyle enhancement staff keep residents engaged through art classes, book clubs, fitness programming, trips to theaters and beaches and social activities.
Our campus includes a dog park (we’re pet-friendly), two putting greens, electric vehicle charging stations and extensive walking paths through beautifully maintained gardens. Many programs are member-driven, creating ownership and purpose often missing in traditional senior living.
The Healthcare Advantage
As part of the larger Gurwin Healthcare System, our residents access services most Long Island independent living communities can’t provide: on-campus pharmacy, seamless care transitions, proximity to major medical centers such as Memorial Sloan Kettering, Catholic Health and Stonybrook Hospital, along with convenient access to dialysis, ventilator care, memory care, adult daycare and home care..
Because Gurwin’s foundation is healthcare, our staff are trained to notice subtle changes in members’ health or well-being and respond before small concerns become crises.
One striking detail Stuart shares: in an industry where turnover typically exceeds 50%, Gurwin’s organization-wide turnover sits at just 22%. This isn’t accidental. It’s the result of intentional leadership and what our staff calls the “Gurwin way.”
As Ron observes during the conversation, “If you want to check out a company, look at how they treat their staff and you’ll have a pretty good idea of how they treat their customers.”
Planning Before the Crisis
Throughout the conversation, both Ron and Stuart emphasize planning ahead. Not during a crisis, but when you have clarity to make thoughtful decisions.
“Plan for the future,” Ron emphasizes. “Hopefully you have a sense of where you and your partner are, that maybe you’ll need assistance at some point.”
The decision to move to Fountaingate “takes time,” Stuart notes. “It’s a process before they realize, okay, this is the right decision, because we need a little assistance. We’re independent, but we kind of see where things are going.”
To help with that process, we offer in-depth tours and complimentary trial stays. “Come live with us for a couple of days,” Stuart explains during the podcast. “That’ll be the best test of whether you’re comfortable here, if you like the people, if you feel like you’ll fit in.”
Peace of Mind for Families
While our members are independent adults making their own decisions, adult children often play an important role. “When we speak to the children, they’re so happy that mom and dad chose us because they don’t have to worry about where they’re going to be over the next many years,” Stuart shares.
The peace of mind extends both ways: members gain security and community, while families gain confidence that their loved ones have a clear plan for whatever the future holds.
What This Means for You
Life Plan Communities like Fountaingate Gardens represent a fundamentally different approach to aging, one that acknowledges the realities of growing older while actively working to make those years as rich, connected and purposeful as possible.
It’s not about giving up independence. It’s about ensuring you can maintain it for as long as possible, with security knowing that if circumstances change, you won’t have to start over in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by unfamiliar faces.
As Stuart puts it, “Anyone who comes here will see what it’s really like. And it really is warm and friendly and engaging.”
That warmth, engagement and sense of genuine community, combined with comprehensive healthcare and financial planning, transforms the Life Plan Community model from a safety net into something more: a blueprint for living well in the years that matter most.
Ready to explore whether Fountaingate Gardens might be right for you or a loved one? Schedule a tour or arrange a trial stay.
