A senior living option for some older individuals who still are in good health are continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). A CCRC may consist of 100 to 500 living units. The units may be single-family homes, groups of cottages or in an urban high-rise. Some of the units are especially for residents who have special health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
CCRCs offer independent housing and assisted living services, in addition to services such as housekeeping, 24-hour nursing and health care, meals, recreational/social activities, maintenance and transportation. Because of the vast array of services CRCCs offer, a resident can enter the community while he is still healthy and can remain in the community and receive more intensive care should his health decline. Unlike an assisted living facility, a CRCC will not discharge a resident. Residents are practically guaranteed a place to live for the rest of their lives.
Cost is the one significant downside of CRCCs. The fees are very expensive and can rule out a CRCC as an option for low- or middle-income seniors. According to an article on the AARP website, entry fees can range from $100,000 to as high as $1 million. Monthly fees can run from $3,000 to $5,000, more or less depending on the level of care, type of contract, and the CRCC’s size and geographic location.
Your local Agency on Aging may be able to provide information on CRCC’s in your area.
