Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Residential facilities, usually licensed by the state, which combine all three levels of care (independent living, assisted living and nursing home care) in a single setting. CCRCs offer older adults long-term contracts which guarantee a place to live and access to specified personal and health care services. Residences may be apartments, townhouses, duplexes, clusters or single family homes and offer differing arrays of service, usually including a common dining room, exercise and activity areas, outdoor recreation and swimming pools. New residents are expected to move into the community when they are healthy and able to maintain an independent lifestyle, and may be asked to pay a sizable entry fee plus monthly maintenance fees, may have the option of a month to month rental arrangement or may purchase and develop equity in the property. Depending on the contract, specified health services may be covered by the entry fee, may be included in the maintenance fees or may be paid for at the time of need. The monthly fee also covers meals, housekeeping, linen and personal laundry, utilities and other basic services.