As people near retirement, they often reconsider their living situation. Often the obvious choice is to downsize into a condominium or townhouse, however, considering a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) has many unforeseen benefits.
While downsizing to a different home seems to make the best sense for the short-term, in the long term what many don’t think about is decreased physical and or mental ability, mobility, and care. The move often is shorter than anticipated as needs change quickly and finding a place to thrive as they age is important.
What is a Continuing Care Retirement Community?
Instead of making another temporary move in their later years, many seniors choose to begin their retirement by investing in a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). CCRCs are the only option of senior care that provides all levels of senior living and addresses the physical limitations of aging. While many older adults purchase a townhome or condo with the idea of staying independent, CCRCs have the resources that allow seniors to stay independent longer.
The goal of a CCRC is to offer a full continuum of care for residents so they can age in place while receiving extra care when they need it. CCRCs provide independent living, assisted living, and skilled care nursing at a single residential campus to eliminate disruptive moves that can lead to additional health concerns. In addition to providing peace of mind for you and your family, CCRCs deliver many benefits that condos and townhomes cannot offer.
Financial Benefits: Breaking Down the Cost of a CCRC
The cost of buying or renting a unit in a Continuing Care Retirement Community can seem expensive when compared to other living accommodation options. However, for most adults, CCRCs allow them to live without worrying about the future. While the entrance fee and rental cost of CCRCs are high, they include a variety of services and amenities.
- Entry Fees– Most CCRCs require up-front entry fees. However, this is not as daunting as it sounds. These entry fees are often largely refundable depending on how long the resident lives in the community. Many Maplewood at Mayflower Place entry fees, for example, comes with a 60% refundable option, where the resident receives 60% of their initial entry fee back whenever the contract ends. Maplewood at Mayflower Place also offers additional contract options. When you begin looking into different communities, ask about these up-front costs and find out whether or not they’re refundable.
- Monthly fees– Most CCRCs do not take a “one size fits all” approach when it comes to monthly rental fees. Many facilities offer a variety of floor plans and finance options to make their facility more accessible to prospective residents. While monthly fees can be higher than paying rent on a condo or senior apartment, they also include many amenities that will become more useful as you age, such as meal delivery, housekeeping services, and help with medicine and laundry.
- Healthcare services– Many facilities include healthcare services in their monthly fees. Because CCRCs offer the entire spectrum of care, they will have high-quality nursing and medical staff on their campus at all times. In the case of an emergency, a resident will have quick and easy access to the care they require.
- Lifestyle– One of the most important elements of living a long and healthy life is to stay physically and mentally active. As a part of the monthly fee, CCRCs can offer these amenities in a supportive environment where you can engage with other residents and participate in the activities you enjoy as you age.
- Foodservice and meal plans– As we continue to age, adequate nutrition becomes crucial to our health and wellbeing. Most facilities offer a dining option, which can help you cut back on additional lifestyle expenses and the stress of having to prepare your own meals.
Lifestyle Benefits of a Continuing Care Retirement Community
In addition to providing healthcare services and a built-in community, CCRCs offer residents a stress-free lifestyle in many ways. Upon move-in, you will immediately begin to feel the benefits.
- Independence: Having an apartment within a Continuing Care Retirement Community gives you autonomy and your personal space, while also providing a sense of comfort and security.
- Programming: Most communities offer busy calendars to keep residents engaged. From book clubs, speakers, and movies to quiz games, happy hours, and crafting classes, there are a variety of activities that will keep all personality types engaged. Most communities have a specialized staff member responsible for planning monthly activities and outings.
- Exercise: Communities offer a supportive range of exercises based on ability, interest, and environment. Maintaining strength, flexibility and cardiovascular health become extremely important as we age and can help us decrease our risk of injury and other health concerns. Program directors can help you find an exercise that fits your needs and keeps you motivated.
- Dining: It’s a treat to take a break from cooking every night, especially when you’re cooking just for one or two people. CCRCs usually offer a dining room with a meal waiting for you up to three times a day, allowing you to enjoy your meal and relax without worrying about doing the dishes afterward.
- Community: Your apartment is your home but steps outside and you will have access to companionship, friendship, and interaction. It’s uncommon to become socially isolated because the staff and other residents will be around to keep you engaged.
- Extra free time: Maintaining a home takes up a lot of time! The time spent mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, or cleaning your gutters can now be spent exploring new hobbies and creating new friendships.
- Peace of mind: When living within a CCRC, all the care you need is right in your neighborhood. A team of experts is standing by to help navigate the next stages as your needs change. Communities also offer specialized support groups for caregivers and spouses. You will never have to worry about your future when you live at a CCRC.
Experience Living in a CCRC at Maplewood at Mayflower Place
America is getting older. Did you know that nearly 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day? While it might feel like it’s too soon to move into a CCRC, the truth is the sooner you make the move, the better you will be in the long run. Moving into a CCRC offers peace of mind and puts you in the driver’s seat of your successful aging.
There’s no worrying about what will happen when you need more care, if something happens to your spouse, or putting a future burden on your children and family. If you would like more information, please contact Maplewood at Mayflower Place. We have also created a guide – A Couple’s Guide to the Benefits of Living in a Continuing Care Retirement Community that you may find helpful in making a decision.
