Life Care Communities

Residential facilities, usually licensed by the state, which provide a place to live and lifelong health care including surgery, medication, physical therapy and round-the-clock care for people who can afford to pay a sizable entry fee (which may be as much as $200,000) and a monthly maintenance fee which covers rent, meals, housekeeping, linens, utilities and other basic services. Healthy residents maintain independent living in apartments, studios or cottages while residents whose health problems require constant medical care are guaranteed a bed in the community's long-term care nursing home. Monthly fees are generally regulated by the state and facilities are required to maintain an emergency fund to cover residents who find themselves unable to make the payments.