A CCRC – continuing care retirement community – is a place that provides an independent living situation, possibly rehabilitation services, and various levels of personal care. In a continuing care retirement community, a person can receive a seamless continuum of care courtesy of the community’s professional team. As needed, they will be able to move between levels of care and spend the rest of their life in the community.
If you’re searching for something more than just a retirement community, some distinct advantages are offered by today’s CCRCs. Residents are provided unique and impressive benefits in these environments, so if you’re considering a retirement community, this should be on your list of living options to check out.
Let’s see what these types of communities have to offer.
Relationships to Last a Lifetime
Meaningful, deep relationships can be fostered with other residents in a CCRC. These are likely friendships that will last a lifetime – even if you need to move from one type of care situation to another, and back again. When reviewing the many retirement community options available today, be sure to take a tour so you can see, for yourself, all each community has to offer. Talk to the care team and to residents, because these are the people you will see every day.
Save Money
Not everyone thinks about the money that can be saved by living in a retirement community, but that should be a consideration. The numerous costs and expenses associated with living in your own house are all combined into one payment when you reside in a retirement community. Frequently, for many individuals, the cost is actually less, because the benefits are far more.
Rehabilitation and/or Fitness
In independent living, there will be programs that focus on mental and physical fitness offered/provided. If a more concentrated program is needed, such as rehabilitation, a CCRC should have the available professionals, equipment, and dedicated space to accommodate a resident’s rehab needs.
Personal Care
So residents who do need care can experience a high quality of life, full-service care is available as one type of living option in a continuing care retirement community. Residents may live in a single room, an apartment, or in some other type of residence, and there are caregivers/nurses on duty around the clock to monitor their needs and provide care to residents.
The situation may only be brief and temporary for some residents (after an illness, accident, surgery, etc.) until they are once again healthy enough to resume independent living. This is one of the biggest benefits of a continuing care retirement community – the ability to transition back and forth, as needed, without having to travel to another community/location entirely.
Independent Living
Rather than living alone through your golden years, there are numerous advantages to be enjoyed by spending your retirement in an independent living community. You will be able to share interests and hobbies with a community of friends who are as active as you are. Some locations even allow you to bring your pet with you – a dog, a cat, etc. – and in fact, encourage it.
Should there come a time when you experience a bit less independence and need some assistance, a more appropriate living situation will be right around the corner in a CCRC.
