Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CareStaff Assisted living is a new retirement living alternative that offers seniors and their families the security and peace of mind they deserve. Residents are able to live independently in their own homes while receiving just the right level of service they need to stay independent through a third party CareStaff agency. Usually, CareStaff agencies, and other third party healthcare providers offer an extensive and varied program of services tailored to each individual. The services range from help with simple chores to a comprehensive program that enables each resident to have access to round–the-clock personal care assistance in his or her private home. Other services include medication reminders and help with daily activities such as dressing, grooming, bathing, and ambulation.
Presently, we do not directly provide healthcare assistance. If a resident needs care assistance, we will help and link residents to third party CareStaff agencies, healthcare providers, and hospitals. He/she has the option to directly hire a CareStaff from an agency. All our homes are designed with a room with Toilet and Bath for a CareStaff.
This is your home. Family and friends are always welcome.
Please inform the management about the disturbance. Management will follow up and will attend to the issue.
Electricity, telephone, water, and cable/internet charges are your personal expense depending on actual usage.
There is an adult swimming pool for you and a children’s pool for your relatives’ and friends’ children when they visit you.
Yes, we can accommodate the needs of both male and female residents in our grooming salon. Additional fees will be charged for the services.
All our homes are designed for accessibility and wheelchair use. We try in every way possible to serve your needs and to keep you as part of our family.
We prefer to allow our residents to continue to rely on their personal doctors. However, we have a wellness office on the premises staffed on a scheduled basis. There is also an examining room for regular physician visits.
Yes, we can plan activities for a variety of purposes such as shopping excursions, day trips, special events, and tours to many nearby tourist attractions. Corresponding fees will be charged for those trips.
Activities are held within our building and elsewhere. Our full-time event director plans a full program of recreational activities, trips, special events, and seminars, which provides for a wide range interests.
Yes, we have an exercise room and an art studio, multipurpose room, card room, billiard room, and library for the enjoyment of all our residents.
There are public transportation systems that can easily be tapped. Should you need special arrangements, car rentals can be arranged for you by the concierge.
For meals ordered thru our provider, they are served by our professional, friendly servers in our dining rooms. Choices of entrees are available.
Yes, we are happy to accommodate your request temporarily, for a small delivery charge.
Our staff is on-call around the clock. Each home is provided with emergency pulls in both the bedroom(s) and the bathroom(s). If you require additional care temporarily, we will help you arrange for it with hospitals and care agencies in the area.
We have personnel on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You will have to provide your own air conditioning units for your homes. You can opt for either window type or split type air conditioning system.
Yes, you can have pets. Quantity and type of pet shall be governed by the house rules.
You are free to smoke in your home and in designated smoking areas.
We have no maximum, but we do have a minimum age requirement of 55 for the lessee.
Our building is structurally sound and can accommodate waterbeds.
The night staff will be able to let you in. However, for the security and safety reasons we ask that you advise the concierge at the front desk if you will be late.
We have an arts and crafts room where residents can make minor repairs and work on hobbies using either your tools or ours.
You are free to choose any table that has been set up. Our dining room manager may also suggest the best seating to facilitate efficient service.
We consider your diet. We plan our menus for nutrition and health as well as for flavor and appeal. Our Heart Smart menu at each meal features low –fat, low-sodium, and low-cholesterol dishes.
Yes, your guests are welcome to join you in the dining rooms. All you need to do is call ahead (a day in advance if possible) to make a reservation.
We do not have extra guest rooms in case you need more space for your visitors but that should not be a problem as our developments are close to the locations with hotels and B&Bs.
Residents usually prefer to bring their own furniture and personal belongings. Our website show suggested layout to give you an idea of the space.
Yes, cable television is available at an additional charge to be provided by the cable company operating in the area.
Housekeeping services are available for a fee which will be provided thru a third party supplier.
Yes, each home is provided with extra closet space. The CareStaff room can be used as an additional storage space should you decide not you have a CareStaff.
Laundry and dry cleaning services are available to all residents thru a third party provider that is arranged by the developer. Each home is also provided with a laundry area with the taps ready for easy connections.
The vehicular traffic and the rest of the community is segregated to ensure safety while moving around the development. Central Parking is only provided in the clubhouse area. Limited parking space for rent is provided in the development with monthly rental fee.
Each home has a fully appointed kitchen so that you can cook if you’d like to. You can also opt for prepared meals to be provided thru a third party concessionaire.
Yes, the entrance fee enables us to make the rental rate more affordable for you We will collect this upon reaching 75% lease out of our community and can be paid over a 1 year period. This will have to be paid in full before we start the actual construction of the unit you have chosen. This can be refunded should you decide to terminate your lease with us with proportionate reduction based on length of stay with us.
The monthly rent will be set at the onset of the lease agreement and will escalate at 5% per year. The monthly Association dues will be set on a yearly basis. We understand that raising this fee is a concern to all our residents. We are sensitive to this issue and we will prioritize expenses that we have to spend for to ensure the promised quality development for you. However, we don’t want to have to control costs by reducing the quality of service.
All monthly fees are quaranteed through your residency agreement against increase for XX months; you also have the opportunity to sign a _____-year agreement against increase for _____with capped increases . We do require a_____- day cancellation notice.
We have 5 home sizes with different sizes to meet different people’s needs. We have:
- One-Bedroom Standard Plan
- One-Bedroom Premium Plan
- Two-Bedroom Standard Plan
- Two-Bedroom Premium Plan
- Three-Bedroom Premium Plan
Each home unit comes with a CareStaff room with Toilet/Bath. Of course, monthly fees are based on the location and size of each apartment.
You’ll find a very sophisticated emergency alert system in each apartment for an immediate response in case of need. Also, we have staff on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and cameras around the development.
The property is owned by Lanebrook Enterprise and will be managed by a reputable property management company to ensure professional and world class management.
We have about 70-100 homes per community. We will only confirm the final timetable of the development and completion ready of occupancy upon lease out of 75% of the available homes as we do not want to have a sparsely lived-in community for you. Upon confirmation of the final timetable, you will be required to pay for the membership fee over a 1 year period and the construction of the units will commence upon full collection of the membership fee. Construction will take about 6 – 8 months and then your units will be ready for occupancy. We will keep you posted of the construction progress so you can plan your move-in.
Yes! We recognize the benefits of gardening in your life in many ways – physically, mentally, and spiritually. It is a healthy activity that you can enjoy, so we designed your LANEBROOK home with a small garden plot in front of your house so you can grow plants.
Yes! We understand how pets are important in keeping you company and providing the comfort you need. LANEBROOK Communities even designed a Pet Park where you can hang out with other Community Members who have pets.
Once you are an SRRV Visa holder, it opens the door to vast opportunities and benefits. These include:
- Option to retire permanently: You may live, work, and study in the Philippines.
- Multiple entry privileges: You may travel outside the Philippines and re-enter anytime
- Exemptions from:
- Income tax over your pension and annuities;
- Exit and re-entry permits of the Bureau of Immigration;
- Annual registration requirement of the Bureau of Immigration;
- Customs Duties and Taxes with regard to the importation of household goods and personal
effects up to US$7,000.00;
- Travel tax, if you stay in the Philippines is less than one year from the last entry date; and
- I-Card.
As an SRR Visa holder, the PRA can assist you in obtaining basic documents from other government agencies. These include, but are not limited to:
- Alien Employment Permit
- Driver’s License
- Tax Exemption/Extension Certificate
- Tax Identification Number
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance
The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) is issued by the Bureau of Immigration through the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). The SRRV is a special non-immigrant visa that provides its holders with multiple-entry privileges and indefinite stay in the Philippines and is especially designed for those who wish to live in the Philippines on an extended or permanent basis. However, the SRRV requires a specific amount of time deposit or investment in the Philippines.
The SRRV is valid for so long as the visa holder remains a member of good standing of the Program and provided his time deposit and/or investment exists in the Philippines.
Any Foreigner with entry visa issued by the Philippine Embassy who is at least 35 years old or former Filipino citizens who are now holders of foreign passports and at least 35 years old are eligible to apply for the SRRV.
In order to secure the SRRV, the following deposit requirements must be complied with:
Retirement Option and their Required Time Deposit
- With Pension – 50 years old and above – the required time deposit is US$10,000.00 plus a monthly pension of US$800.00 for a single applicant and US$1,000.00 for a couple
- Without Pension
- 35 to 49 years old – US$50, 000.00 time deposit
- 50 years old and above – US$20, 000.00 time deposit
- Former Filipino Citizens (at least 35 years old, regardless of the number of dependents – US$1,500.00)
- Ambassadors of foreign countries who served and retired in the Philippines, current and former staff members of international organizations including ADB (at least 50 years old) -US$1,500.00
It must be emphasized that the required time deposit can be converted into enumerated areas of investment after one (1) month from the date of the issuance of the SRRV. The only allowed areas of investment are the following:
- Purchase of condominium unit/s;
- Long term lease of a house and lot, condominium or townhouse unit/s;
- Construction of a residential unit on a leased parcel of land;
- Purchase of Proprietary Membership/Golf shares in golf clubs;
- For former Filipinos, purchase of a lot not exceeding 5,000 square meters in urban areas or three (3) hectares rural areas to be used for business or other purposes.
As for the documentary requirements and pursuant to the issuance of the PRA, the following must be submitted:
- PRA application form;
- Government Fee of US$1,400.00 for the principal and US$300.00 for each dependent (spouse/children).
- Original passport with valid entry status;
- Medical Examination Clearance: can be secured abroad (with English translation) duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consular Office. If the applicant is in the Philippines, this can also be secured at the PRA One-Stop Shop;
- Bank Certificate of Dollar Time Deposit inwardly remitted to any PRA accredited banks;
- Police Clearance only, for retiree-applicants whose stay in the Philippines is thirty (30) days or less from date of last entry, which must be secured from the applicant’s country of origin (with English translation) duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy or Consular Office. Police Clearance (from the applicant’s country of origin) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance for retiree applicants whose stay in the Philippines is more than 30 days from date of last entry. This also applies to spouse and dependents 18 years of age and above;
- Photographs, 12 pieces 2”x2”;
- If the spouse is also applying for SRRV, Marriage Certificate or Marriage Contract translated into English (if necessary) and duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate nearest the applicant’s residence if the marriage was contracted abroad. If the marriage was solemnized in the Philippines, original Marriage Certificate; and
- If dependent/s is/are also applying for the SRRV, original Birth Certificate/s of dependent/s born in the Philippines or Birth Certificate/s or Household Register translated into English (if necessary) and duly authenticated by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate nearest the applicant’s residence abroad.
Experts and expats are keen on sharing what makes a great retirement haven and we’re sharing them with you:
- Real estate: Cost is just one factor; what really matters is what you get for your money. Prices fluctuate, but value is most important.
- Special benefits: Some countries have assembled benefits packages to entice expat retirees. Can you get discounts on airfares, utility bills, restaurants, cinema tickets, and property tax? If so, how big a discount can you get?
- Cost of living: Consider day-to-day expenses like groceries, movie theater tickets, eating out, and gas; the cost of a flight back to the U.S. to visit folks; and all the hidden and often unconsidered costs like traveling around your new home and exploring neighboring towns.
- Fitting in: It is important for you to feel at home in your new home. How easy will it be for you to integrate into a new country? Do the locals speak good English or do you need to speak the local language? Are the locals welcoming and friendly to foreigners? Is there an existing, active expat community?
- Entertainment and amenities: What indoor and outdoor entertainment does the new place have? Are there outdoor activities given the climate and terrain? Is it easy to see movies in English? Are there many concerts or cultural events available?
- Health care: So much depends on your personal situation and health care needs so your access to affordable, high-quality health care is important. Are there hospitals and clinics manned by highly qualified medical staff nearby? What is the overall quality of both public and private health care systems in the country?
- Infrastructure: What is the rate of the quality of roads and public transport available? Do you need a car or is the bus system up to scratch? Is Internet available and is it fast and reliable?
- Climate: Tastes in climate may vary: what is too hot or cold for one older adult can be just right for another. What are the temperature, rainfall, and humidity in your target country?
For now, LANEBROOK offers Independent Living. We help meet the needs of active older adults who need little or no assistance with activities of daily living. As these needs change, LANEBROOK Community Members can seek assistance from nurses, caregivers, or nannies, which we can help you scout for as part of our Assisted Living care option. The services of a care staff is affordable and easy to get in the Philippines. Your LANEBROOK home is also built to accommodate your caregiver should you decide to have them stay with you. A service room is attached in front of your house for easy access to your care staff without impeding your privacy.