1.  What is Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center? 

2.  Is the Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center only for Baptists? 

3.  Where is Martha Franks located? 

4.  What types of residences does Martha Franks offer? 

5.  What types of common areas and amenities are available at Martha Franks? 

6.  What types of fees are paid by residents of Martha Franks? 

7.  Is the monthly fee subject to change? 

8.  What services are included in the montly fee? 

9.  What residential services are offered at an additional cost? 

10.  What health care services are available at Martha Franks? 

11.  Can an individual enter the Health Care Center without living on campus first? 

12.  Who determines when a resident will be relocated to a level of health care? 

13.  I have a specific question not on this list.  Where can I submit this question?

Martha Franks is a full service continuing care retirement community, duly licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs of the State of South Carolina.  The community offers independent living, residential care, assisted living, and skilled nursing.  Martha Franks reflects a new generation in design for today's retirement communities.  The community offers residents the opportunity to live in cottages, patio homes, apartments, residential care and skilled nursing. 
 

The community is open to all faiths.  Currently, there are residents representing all the major church denominations.

The 55 acre campus is located in Laurens, South Carolina, near downtown, one block from West Main Street.  The First Baptist Church, First Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, and the Atonement Lutheran Church are all nearby.  Laurens is located in the beautiful Upstate of South Carolina, just a 45 minute drive from Greenville, Spartanburg, or Greenwood and a 60 minute drive from Columbia, the state capitol.

Martha Franks is truly a community of choices.  Independent living is offered in one bedroom and alcove apartments, two and three bedroom patio home clusters, and in the Cottages at Martha Franks.  Residents desiring a cottage may choose from eight floor plans.  For individuals needing a little more help with their daily living activities, the main complex offers residential care and assisted living.  Skilled nursing care is provided in an 88 bed facility, which includes a 20 bed Special Needs Unit for individuals with Alzheimer's or other dementia-related disorders.

Common areas and amenities are located throughout the campus at Martha Franks.  The majority of the indoor common areas are located within the main complex.  They include: the dining room, chapel, library, lobbies, laundry rooms, activity room, beauty shop, offices and conference areas, porches, post office, and monitor room. 

The Villa, a historical home serving as a centerpiece for the campus, is available for social functions.  A guest home, fishing lake, picnic shelter, and walking trails also enhance the lifestyle of the residents.

As with most non-profit retirement communities, residents of Martha Franks' patio homes, cottages and apartment homes pay an entrance fee and a monthly fee.  These fees vary depending on the type of residence selected and the number of occupants.  Several entrance fee plans are available. 

Residents living in the Residential Care facility pay only a monthly fee; no entrance fee is required.  Skilled nursing residents pay a monthly fee based on a daily rate.

The monthly fee is reviewed annually by management and the Board of Trustees.  This fee is adjusted based on the actual costs for the services, staffing, operations, depreciation, and other operating costs provided.  Martha Franks maintains its costs at the lowest feasible level consistent with sound financial practices.

The monthly fee entitles the residents at Martha Franks to enjoy the following services, programs, and amenities: current plans offer either one or three meals a day; all utilities except telephone; basic cable TV and closed circuit TV; weekly housekeeping and linens in the residential care area; laundry facilities; building, appliance, and grounds maintenance; lighted parking; planned social, spiritual, recreational, educational, and cultural activities; transportation for scheduled shopping and off campus activities; personal mailbox; security monitoring; and an emergency call system.

In addition to the services provided in the monthly fee, residents of patio homes, cottages and apartment homes my purchase additional meals and housekeeping services.  Guest meals, barber and beauty shop services, out-of-town transportation for medical purposes, minor personal repairs, certain medical procedures, and personal laundry are some of the items and servies available for an additional charge.  In the residential care facility, a resident may purchase assistance with bathing, dressing, personal laundry, and whirlpool bathing.

Martha Franks is committed to providing a full array of health services and licensed skilled nursing care.  All areas of nursing are under the direct supervision and responsibility of the on-site licensed health care administrator, the Director of Nursing, and the Medical Director to assure the best in quality care. 

Martha Franks offers private pay beds in both private and semiprivate rooms.  Medicare certified semiprivate rooms are available. 

In the health care facility, there is a strong emphasis on rehabilitative nursing through physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy.  Radiological, laboratory, and podiatry services are also offered.  Special features in the skilled nursing area include a gardening room, raised flower beds for those in wheelchairs, a reading room, and a saltwater aquarium. 

Twenty of the 88 beds at the health care center are dedicated to care for the unique needs of the resident with dementia.  This area emphaiszes secured freedom, a relaxed atmosphere indoor and outdoor gardening, resident pet therapy, and a  specially trained, professional staff.

11.  Can an individual enter the Health Care Center without living on campus first? 

We cncourage you to make your home at Martha Franks before nursing care becomes a necessity.  In doing so, you will experience more of what Martha Franks has to offer. 

Martha Franks does admit residents directly into both residential and skilled nursing care.  As we provide both short- and long-term rehabilitative and therapeutic programs, residents from outside the Martha Franks community will find that their needs can be met at our Health Care Center.

12.  Who determines when a resident will be relocated to a level of health care? 

The decision to transfer a resident to a level of health care is made by the resident's personal physician, the Director of Nursing, and the Administrator.  Such a move is only made after consultation to the extent practical with the resident and the resident's family. 

Martha Franks' policies enable residents to remain in their homes as long as it is in the best interest of the resident, their neighbors, and the community at large.

13.  I have a specific question not on this list.  Where can I submit this question?  

We would be more than happy to address any questions not on this list.  Please submit those to us on our online Feedback Form.