The is a lot of variability between Continuing Care Retirement Centers (CCRCs). A Continuing Care Retirement Center is a center that provides multiple levels of care through the same community or campus throughout the life span.
By continuing you are agreeing to the Aging Uniquely Health and Legal Disclaimer at the bottom of the page.
Affiliate Disclosure: I may earn a small commission from some of the links below at NO extra cost to you. This helps me keep Aging Uniquely up and running so I can continue to be a valuable guide to my readers. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Many CCRCs include the following living arrangements on their campus, but may include more or less:
- Separate apartments or cottages on campus
- Independent Living Apartment
- Assisted Living Apartment
- Memory Care Unity (may be part of assisted living or skilled nursing)
- Skilled Nursing Facility
If you are not sure where to start with these options, please view Aging Uniquely’s Transitions in Older Adulthood Presentation.
People may move to a higher level of care or different parts of campus as their needs change. I always recommending touring the entire campus and ask about all levels of care to prepare for any future changes.
It is worth noting what a CCRC is not or does not provide. They typically do not pay for medical services, such as doctors appointments, diagnostic testing, medical procedures, home health care services, etc. Depending on your level of care, there may be nursing supervision provided at some higher levels of care, but not a 1 on 1 nursing or care service. I tend to think residency at a CCRC as more of a place to live within a community rather than a location that provides intense medical care. Some CCRCs or specific facilities within the CCRC (such as assisted living) have specific requirements to live there. These all vary and may change over time. For example, if someone is not able to be transferred by only 1 person, they may not be allowed to be in assisted living and must move to a skilled nursing facility.
While meal plan options are usually available, grocery shopping for extras is typically not provided. Some facilities do have outings to stores and can assist with transportation arrangements. Ask the specific CCRC for additional details.
You can schedule tours of facilities on your own or there are several senior advisors that can guide you through the process. While many senior advisors are passionate about the care of older adults and tremendously helpful, I think it is important to mention they are typically reimbursed by the CCRC (usually assisted living facility) when a client chooses to move into that facility.
I think of each CCRC, Independent Living, Assisted Living Facility or Memory Care Unit as having it’s own “personality.” I have been to very small assisted living facilities with consistent staff and the group is very tight-knit. I have also worked at huge CCRCs where the options for activities and groups of friends are vast and diverse. Many times, it’s not that one facility is better than the other, one just is a better fit for a specific person. Each person is unique with a unique personality and needs!
Choosing to move to a CCRC is a major decision and pros, cons, considerations and questions must be carefully examined to make the best decision for yourself or a loved one.
Here are some very general Pros and Cons:
Pros
- Sense of community and increased opportunity for community engagement and friendships
- Ability to stay in the same community even as an increased level of care is needed ( for places with multiple levels of care)
- Low home or apartment maintenance
- Additional support provided depending on community and level of care
- Additional safety depending on the community including: emergency call systems, security guard, gated community, etc.
Cons
- Costs: It can be expensive and moving in too soon without enough savings could result in not having enough financial resources later in life if there is NOT a lifetime guarantee in the contract. In some instances where the person only needs minimal services such as home maintenance and housekeeping and do not seek the social aspect of the community, the increased cost may not be worth the services and an aging in place with additional supports approach should be considered.
- The promptness and quality of services delivered may not be at the level that was expected in some instances.
- Additional rules and restrictions: pets, visitor hours, modifications to apartments, etc.
It is importance to note that CCRCs greatly vary on levels of care provided, costs and level of safety support provided. Therefore, in out next post, we will discuss important questions to ask.
Related Information:
Transitions in Older Adulthood Presentation: guidance on senior living options
Traditional Senior Living Options
Be Proactive! Look for these 18 Signs Someone is Struggling
Subscribe to our blog below so you never miss important information on Aging Uniquely!
Next: Questions to ask a Continuing Care Retirement Center (CCRC)?
Aging Uniquely Health and Legal Disclaimer:
By continuing with this site, you are agreeing that you acknowledge and understand this disclaimer in full and will not hold Aging Uniquely, parent companies or content creators liable for the information or use of information on this site because everyone ages uniquely and has unique needs. The content on Aging Uniquely sites is for general information purposes only and Aging Uniquely does not provide medical or health advice. It is not a substitute for medical or health professional advice and you should never ignore professional medical advice or delay seeking emergency care because of something you read on the Aging Uniquely website or social media platforms. If you are experiencing a medical emergency call 911 or seek emergency services. Aging Uniquely is not responsible for what may happen if you use their information in place of medical or professional advice. You are responsible for your own health and safety or how you apply this advice to adults/older adults you support. I highly recommend you consult the proper qualified medical or health profession before implementing any information from Aging Uniquely or other health related websites.