Continuing care retirement community overview
The concept of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) has been around for decades. Also known as life care or senior living communities, these establishments serve numerous seniors who have varying degrees of need for medical care and therefore nursing services. The high cost of a continuing care retirement community has made them prohibitive for some seniors, but these communities are well worth considering when it comes to making decisions about the future. Here is the top reasons to move to a continuing care retirement community:
Convenience
Variety of services and amenities. Residents in a continuing care retirement community have access to a range of activities and services, from health care needs to social events, educational classes and recreational facilities. These are available on-site or at nearby off-site locations such as shopping malls or movie theaters.
Less time spent on household chores. A continuing care retirement community typically has staff members who can help with housekeeping tasks such as laundry, cooking meals and cleaning the residence hallways; additionally some communities use professional cleaning crews to perform these services on a regular basis (such as once per week).
Less time spent on house maintenance. Residents who live in a continuing care retirement community may not need any tools besides a screwdriver since they can count on maintenance staff who will come by every so often to fix things around the apartment complex such as broken doors/windows or leaking pipes (as well as unclog drains).
Less spent on transportation. Some Continuing Care Retirement Communities provide shuttle service between different buildings within its grounds which eliminates having to walk outside if one wants to go somewhere else within their home base! This benefit really comes into play when traveling becomes necessary.
Reliability
Knowing that you can count on your continuing care retirement community to provide what you need is a huge relief. If it’s time for more care, you have a place to go. And if your needs change, having options within the community will help ensure that you always have the right level of care at hand. In addition to providing quality medical services and living accommodations. A continuing care retirement community typically puts an emphasis on safety both inside and outside the home and follows local, state and federal guidelines for health and safety regulations.
Security
Safety and security are important no matter your age, but they become even more so when you’re living in a retirement community. When you choose to live in a continuing care retirement community, you’ll be able to enjoy all the perks of home with the added benefit of having access to 24/7 emergency services if needed.
Your financial security is also enhanced by choosing to move into a continuing care retirement community. The upfront costs can seem high but once you’ve settled in, your monthly cost will be much smaller than it would be otherwise since many activities and amenities are included in your rent or membership fee.
You’ll also have peace of mind knowing that people will look out for each other while living at their independent senior living community. This may mean being woken up during an emergency or simply knowing that there’s someone around who can help if something happens in the middle of the night.
Mobility
One of the most important things you can do to keep your mobility active is to stay active. The most effective way to do that is by staying involved in the community. You can volunteer at local schools, sit on the board of directors for various community organizations and become a mentor for children or seniors in need.
You can also make sure you have transportation available to get around town if walking becomes too difficult or takes too much time out of your day. If you’re not comfortable driving anymore then think about getting a driver who comes with the car service (Uber).
A continuing care retirement community typically provides the resources needed to improve your mobility. This may include a gym or an onsite rehabilitation facility to provide additional exercise opportunities.
Socialization
There’s a reason why we all experience a decline in cognitive abilities as we age: Our brains are designed to slow down and become less efficient, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Socialization is the key to keeping your mind sharp and active. Studies show that staying socially engaged helps increase life satisfaction and reduce feelings of loneliness, which can lead to depression or anxiety.
Aging in place simply means not having to move out of your home when you get older—it doesn’t mean needing constant care from others! In fact, research shows it’s better for physical health if older adults continue living independently rather than moving into assisted living facilities.
A continuing care retirement community will provide the socialization to keep stimulated. There are normally a lot of activities to participate in and different ways of making new friends.
Health and wellness
At your new home, the staff and doctors are trained to help you with your health needs. If a resident has a chronic condition such as diabetes or heart disease, they can focus on self-management and receive support from the community.
If you need more advanced care than what’s available at your continuing care retirement community, there are facilities nearby that offer medical and healthcare services.
A continuing care retirement community will help keep people active both physically and mentally. Residents can take fitness classes with instructors or join in other recreational activities like bingo games, art classes and nature walks through beautiful parks nearby. In addition to physical activity options offered by the continuing care retirement community itself there is also plenty of opportunity for mental stimulation like book clubs where members discuss books of their choice together over lunch!
Living options
- Choose a home that suits your lifestyle. A continuing care retirement community can offer residents many options to choose from, including independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing care. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose the home that best fits your lifestyle.
- Designed to anticipate future needs. If you have an aging parent or loved one who may need assistance in the future, it’s good planning to consider choosing a continuing care retirement community with options such as assisted living or skilled nursing care that are readily available when they are needed.
- Choose a CCRC close to family. Some seniors prefer being within close proximity of their children and grandchildren so they can easily visit them on weekends or holidays for quality time together (and vice versa). A continuing care retirement community offers this option with its ability for family members—younger ones included—to live nearby for regular visits with seniors who live there full-time or part-time through varying levels of service arrangements.
Ongoing care
A continuing care retirement community will offer a peace of mind for you and your family. If your needs change, the community will work with you to create a care plan that includes all appropriate options. You can stay in the same community if necessary but also benefit from the option to move into an assisted living or memory care unit, as needed.
If you’re at risk for falls or have difficulty getting around, moving into an independent living apartment might be more suitable than independent home ownership. And if your health deteriorates over time, moving into a memory care unit may be beneficial so that residents with dementia are nearby and able to help each other out when necessary.
Amenities
- Access to additional services such as fitness centers, pools, spa or salon services.
- Access to community gardens, walking trails or other outdoor spaces.
- Cultural events and entertainment such as music concerts or art exhibits at your facility.
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.