There are a wide range of options for elderly people looking for a residence that can handle their specific needs. One option that you or an elderly loved one may be interested in is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). CCRCs offer benefits that personal care homes or other residences that provide care don’t offer. Here are some reasons you might want to consider a CCRC for yourself or an elderly loved one.

 

A Wide Range of Care Options

Generally speaking assisted living comes in short term and long term options. Short term assisted living are for those recovering from an illness or surgery who are expected to be able to return home at some point. Long term care is for people who can no longer live on their own and need assistance with day to day activities. A CCRC can offer these levels of care and more.

CCRCs combine a wide range of care options. Some even include living for elderly people who don’t need any assistance at all. As the care needs increases, the facility is capable of providing more and more levels of care to accommodate the resident. Typically, a physical move within the facility isn’t needed unless there is a need for a high level of care. Then, it may be necessary to move to another physical location that my even be located of site.

 

Options Come at a Cost

A CCRC offers a wide range of options, but they do come at a cost. First, a CCRC will require a potential resident to pay an entry fee. Once that has been paid, a monthly fee that matches the care level will also be charged. Entry fees may be prorated and returned depending on the amount of time spent at the CCRC.

As with any care community, the cost can vary wildly from one community to another. Typically, more expensive communities will offer more amenities. Others may offer less in the way of services available but will come at a much lower cost. As always you will need to find a balance between yours or your loved one’s needs and the level of care that they can afford.

 

A Word on Medicaid

When you speak of care facilities of any type, Medicaid typically becomes a topic of interest. In most cases, due to the start-up money involved, Medicaid will not cover the costs associated with a CCRC. That is simply due to the needs based nature of the Medicaid program. People who are able to afford the entry fee have too much in the way of assets to qualify for Medicaid.

 

Elder Law Attorneys Can Assist with Contract Details for a CCRC

Remember, before you sign any long term contract with a CCRC or other care facilities, contact your elder law attorneys first. If you need legal assistance recovering an entry fee from a CCRC or have other elder law issues, contact Stano Law Firm.