Retirement Communities

Unlike other senior living facilities, Continuing Care Retirement Communities offer different types of housing for seniors who require varying degrees of care. Residents who are able to mostly care for themselves may live in apartments, cottages, houses or town-homes. Meanwhile, elderly residents who need around-the-clock supervision live in more of a nursing home setting. The combination of medical programs and housing units allows residents to receive all the care they need without needing to be moved to an entirely different facility.

To join a CCRC, prospective residents sign lifelong contracts guaranteeing they will receive housing, services and nursing care. Many seniors join CCRCs while they're still capable of living alone. They gain peace of mind knowing that they'll always have a home and that their needs will always be cared for. Residents can sign contracts granting unlimited nursing care, or they can sign agreements that promise help from nurses for a limited amount of time.

The downside to Continuing Care Retirement Communities is they are expensive. The monthly fee for living at a CCRC can range from $400 to $2,500. Several factors influence the monthly fee, such as whether residents are living alone or require any kind of special service. Some CCRCs require new residents to pay an initial fee which can be as high as $400,000. Make sure to know whether your insurance company would contribute to the costs of living at a Continuing Care Retirement Community.

Remember, adults must be capable of living on their own when they first join a Continuing Care Retirement Community. If you're thinking of joining a CCRC, you would be wises to reach your decision sooner rather than later.