How is a CCRC Different from an Assisted Living Facility or a Nursing Home?
The main thing that makes a Continuing Care Retirement Community distinct from other types of retirement communities or facilities is that they operate under the “continuum of care” concept.
This means that a person will typically enter a CCRC while still healthy and independent and, in exchange for a fee, will be guaranteed by the community that the appropriate level of care will be provided in the future as their lifestyle and health care needs change.
This is different, for example, from a stand-alone Assisted Living Facility or a Nursing Home whereby a person enters the community only after they are already in need of some form of assisted living or care.
Continuing Care Community: A Retirement Option for "Baby Boomers"
There are several things have changed the face of retirement communities and have helped to create the growing demand for CCRC’s. First, baby boomers are beginning to retire and, therefore, over the next couple of decades the retirement population will continue to expand.
Additionally, with breakthroughs in medicine people are living longer today than ever before. This is good but it also points to the potential need for more long-term care, or custodial care, as it is referred to in the industry.
Finally, the retirement lifestyle today is much different than it was many years ago. People are more active. Retirement used to be viewed as slowing down. Now it tends to be viewed as a transition to a life of more flexibility and independence rather than merely slowing down. You see this mindset with people who are well into their seventies and even beyond.
Therefore, many of the communities today are developed with these things in mind so a person has the opportunity to remain totally independent and active, while also having the assurance that as their needs change the appropriate level of care will be provided.
Selecting the right continuing care community is a significant decision. You can reach Carolina Continuing Care Consultants at 877-699-CCRC (2272) or info@carolinacontinuingcare.com to schedule a confidential meeting to explore the options.