The Covington

As retirement facilities go this one is very nicely appointed, with a formal dining area and beautiful grounds. Lots of activities and increased levels of care.
Just don’t forget they aren’t doing this for free and you should be as diligent monitoring the finances as you would with any other business. Little things like soliciting employee fund donations to people who forgot that they already contributed last month, or costs of in-​room assistants in addition to the monthly rent… unless you think $ 21K per month is no big deal…
Other than that it is a terrific place.

I walked into the main building at the Covington today after returning from a walk with my grandpa. We walked in smiling and waved hello to the front desk woman. She just stared at us, giving me a disgruntled expression before looking me up and down. I stopped smiling after she looked away and stared at her in return. After a few seconds, she realized l was still looking at her in disbelief and said ‘hi’ as though she was annoyed. I don’t care how bad of a day one may be having, if your position is working the front desk of an old persons home, you need to be polite as the representative of the building. I didn’t catch her name, but she is not new and she is a fat Mexican woman with glasses. I’ll change my review when this is resolved.

I was helping my in-​laws search and find a great place to move to, as they were needing support with meals and general daily needs. I was referred to the Covington by a business associate, who said it was «the Disneyland» of CCRC’s. I went and screened the property and WOW, what a «first class» operation! We looked at 4 other retirement communities in South Orange County and the Covington was heads & shoulders above any of the others we saw. The grounds are immaculate, the food was very good and the staff is very professional and kind. A great part of this community is that is is «not for profit» and therefore not subject to the «bottom line» challenges that other properties deal with, and they are not subject to buy-​out by other competitors. There is a large entry fee, but it does off-​set the monthly fees, and 90% of the entry fee is refunded back to the estate when the residents leave. They also have a skilled nursing section (with their own staff), so in the event that ²⁴⁄₇ care is ever needed, the resident does not have to move somewhere else-​as it is in most other retirement homes. This community has thought of pretty much everything that a retired person will ever need, and in a first class setting. They even allow small pets without «another fee». My wife and I now have such relief, as we know her parents will be safe and taken care of, no matter what their needs are. If I was in the market for a retirement community, I personally would live at the Covington, but I’m not old enough yet.

Very nice place and would recommend to anyone.