Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) are sometimes called life care communities. Entering one is usually a once-in-a-lifetime choice and that's the appeal. Many have large campuses that include separate housing for those who live very independently, assisted living facilities that offer more support, and nursing homes for those needing skilled nursing care. With all on the same grounds, people who are relatively active, as well as those who have serious physical and mental disabilities, all live nearby. Residents then move from one housing choice to another as their needs change.
While usually very expensive, many guarantee lifetime shelter and care with long-term contracts that detail the housing and care obligations of the CCRC as well as its costs.
Living Spaces
A wide variety of independent living units may be available:
large and small apartments, cottages, cluster homes, or
single-family homes. In addition to usual features, they may
include grab bars, a monitored emergency call system and other
safety features. Residents of these units are usually active,
older people.
Assisted living units may be small studio or one-bedroom apartments with scaled down kitchens. These may have group dining areas and common areas for social and recreational activities. Residents typically need some assistance in daily living activities but also want some independence.
Nursing home accommodations are usually furnished one-room units for two or more persons with an attached bathroom. Residents require skilled nursing care (short term or long term) and may benefit from rehabilitative therapy to maintain or improve their abilities.
The Cost
The costs of living in a CCRC can be quite high and unaffordable
to those with low or moderate incomes and assets. Most
communities require an entrance fee and monthly payments. These
fees can range from lows of $20,000 to highs of $400,000. Monthly
payments can range from $200 to $2,500. In some places, residents
own their living space, and in others the space is rented. In
some communities, the entrance fee may be partially refundable.
Frequently three different fee schedules may be available:
- Extensive contracts, which include unlimited long-term
nursing care at little or no increase in the monthly fee.
- Modified contracts that include a specified amount of
long-term nursing care. Beyond that specified time, you are
responsible for payments.
- Fee-for-service contracts in which you pay full daily rates for long-term nursing care.
Entry Requirements
Some CCRCs are affiliated with a specific ethnic, religious, or
fraternal order, and membership may be a requirement. The
majority of CCRCs require potential residents to have a medical
examination to assess their physical and mental status. Selected
pre-existing conditions may cause a CCRC to refuse an applicant.
Some CCRCs require residents to have both Medicare Part A and B.
Naturally, residents must be able to meet the entrance fee and
monthly payments.
AARP Resources
Caring for Your
Parents
Several free online courses to help you plan to care for your
parents.
Selecting Senior Housing
Eight practical tips to ease the transition.
Additional Resources
Continuing Care Accreditation
Commission
Offers state specific listings of accredited CCRCs and other
useful information.
Helpguide
Helpful tips about CCRC'S.
How to Evaluate a CCRC
eHow.com suggests eight things to ask about when considering a CCRC.
