By offering multiple levels of care, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) offer price predictability and peace of mind.
The more you understand your retirement options, the easier it is to find one that lets you live the way you want. A continuing-care retirement community, or CCRC, brings all those options to you in one package.
There are lots of different senior living options available today, each of which offers a slightly different set of services and amenities. Those include nursing homes, naturally occuring senior communities, and assisted-living residences. Here are a few of the most common:
55+ Active Adult Communities
When you buy a condo, townhome, or even a stand-alone house in a 55+ active adult community, you can enjoy having property management like landscaping and snow removal included as part of an HOA fee, but you pay your own utilities. Other amenities and clubhouse fees may be extra. This is purely independent living, with no options for health care or assistance if you ever need it.
Senior Rental Communities
With so many different types, senior rental communities can be confusing, so it’s important to understand exactly what’s included in your flat monthly fee. Some just cover rent, some also include meals, and some will cover all that plus housekeeping and some services and amenities. The flexibility of this option can be a benefit or a drawback. The good news is that you don’t pay for care unless you need it. However, the kind of care you do eventually need may not be available onsite—such as skilled nursing or memory care. That can create big unknowns. Will you be able to afford the care you might need one day, and will you need to move again to get it? Also be sure to check age restrictions. Many are 55+ communities, but not all.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
In a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), sometimes called a Life Plan community, you live in your own apartment or cottage independently, maintenance-free, and with dining options, services, and amenities included. Should you ever need it, CCRCs offer multiple levels of care, all on one campus, so you or your partner can progress to whatever level of care you require without ever having to move. CCRCs like Acacia Creek offer a variety of contract types based on the financial arrangements you prefer and whether or not you’d like care to be included. One such contract is called Life Care. By including health care costs up front, with Life Care, you don’t have to worry about rising costs, and you get the security and peace of mind that you’ll get the care you need, if you need it, at a predictable monthly rate.
Why Choose a CCRC?
- Maintenance-free living
- A focus on supporting your active lifestyle
- Priority lifetime access to the care you need
- Predictable monthly fees through all levels of living
- Protection from financial and healthcare uncertainties
The Hidden Costs of Retirement
Financial considerations are part of any retirement plan, whether you stay in your own home or move to a community. The decision comes down to your comfort level. Pay more now or later? Plan for predictable costs or see what your health and the market give you? What is flexibility worth to you? Consider not just what each option costs today, but expenses you’ll no longer have to pay for. Also, think about what you’ll do if you need care in the future when health care costs are higher.
ACACIA CREEK RETIREMENT COMMUNITY inspires residents to live an active, meaningful life. Our mission as a senior community is to enrich the independence, well-being, and security of our residents through exceptional services and care based on Masonic values.
To learn more about Acacia Creek or our senior housing opportunities, contact us at WWW.ACACIACREEK.ORG/CONTACT
