If you’ve ever had a concerns whether you’re ready to retire, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) might be the answer to your prayers. These communities were developed specifically for people who want to age in place and maintain their independence, continuing care retirement communities offer many of the benefits of retirement living without any of the challenges.
In other words, a CCRC provides seniors with an ideal blend of home-like amenities and services so they can live their golden years with as little risk of isolation and loneliness as possible. The good news is that there are plenty of affordable places to find one in your area.
What is a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community)?
A CCRC is a community where residents can live independently and later transition to more care as their needs change.
Typically, seniors have three main options for retirement communities: independent living, assisted living, and nursing homes. A CCRC combines the benefits of all three by allowing seniors to remain in one community throughout their entire retirement.
Residents are able to live independently in a private apartment. As they become less mobile or need extra assistance with daily activities like bathing and dressing, they may transition into assisted living apartments that usually include common spaces such as dining rooms and activity rooms.
The community also has skilled nursing facilities for residents with serious medical issues who require 24-hour care. All levels of care are located on the same campus so that residents don’t have to move from one facility to another if their health situation changes over time.
What are the benefits of moving to a Continuing Care Retirement Community?
A CCRC is a place where you can live, work, and play. It’s a place where you’ll have a choice of housing options and services, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care. As your needs change over time, you can move from one level of care to another without leaving the community.
Active lifestyle
You’ll find plenty of opportunities with a CCRC for socializing and staying active through scheduled events and activities. The CCRC will typically have access to fitness equipment and other activities to keep active.
Care levels
This means that you can move into a community knowing exactly what you need from your senior living experience. For example, if you just need help with housekeeping tasks or assistance with meals, then you might choose independent living at an affordable cost. If you need more care, such as assistance with bathing or medications, then you may choose assisted living.
When should you consider moving to a Continuing Care Retirement Community?
When should you consider moving to a Continuing Care Retirement Community? There are some situations where moving into a CCRC may be the right choice. Let’s take a look at some of those situations:
Safety issues
The main benefit of this type of community is the built-in support network that comes with community living. Whether your loved ones live far away or you’re looking for a strong sense of community, a CCRC will provide you with helpful resources and companionship.
Support
Many seniors want to remain as independent as possible, but still require additional assistance to complete daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and medication management.
Rather than spending money on in-home care staff, many seniors find it more convenient and cost-effective to move into a CCRC where these services are included in the monthly fee.
Amenities
A CCRC will offer a wide range of amenities and services to fill the needs of residents at various stages of their lives. Because all levels of care are available under one roof, you (and your spouse) could age in place without ever having to move to another location.
The independent living section of the CCRC provides spacious apartments with full kitchens and maintenance services which allow you to enjoy your retirement with minimal hassle from household duties. It offers community events, trips, activities, and classes that you can participate in as little or as much as you like.
In the assisted living section of the CCRC, meals may be served in a restaurant-style dining room or brought directly to your apartment. You can also get help with dressing, bathing, or transferring safely into bed. Personal care assistants will come to your apartment to provide medication reminders and assistance with other daily tasks like grooming or walking around the community if mobility is an issue for you.
The skilled nursing section of the CCRC is for individuals who need 24/7 health monitoring, as well as short-term rehabilitation, and stays for those recovering from an injury or illness.
Conclusion
If you’re contemplating your future and considering where you would like to retire, a CCRC is an option worth exploring. A CCRC provides peace of mind, a sense of community, and a variety of services and amenities all in one location. They offer a safe, secure, maintenance-free lifestyle that leads to an active, healthy, and independent life.
About us
GreySteps is where you will learn how to find the best senior care options for yourself or loved ones. We provide guides and resources for independent living, long-term acute care hospitals, hospice and other senior care options.