…in one’s own home is a question many seniors ask themselves as they age and contemplate whether or not to move into a retirement community.  Once the decision is made to move to a retirement community, the next big question is what type of community best meets their individual needs.
 
While there are many living options for seniors, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) offers its residents a continuum of services, usually through a contractual agreement on the same campus.  These services may include independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and sometimes memory care.
 
Contractual arrangements for care vary among different communities; those seniors that choose a CCRC’s that offers a life care option are seeking the financial certainty and stability a life care contract brings in these uncertain economic times.   The biggest difference between a life care community and others is that a resident’s monthly service fee does not increase based on the level of care a resident may needed.  It is a predictable monthly fee for a lifetime whether the resident is independent or in need of skilled nursing care.  Also residents who become financially unable to pay their monthly fees may be subsidized by the community.  This guarantees the same access to services with no interruption in care.
 
In addition, most life care communities offer all health care services on the same campus. The idea is that, after qualifying through a health and financial application process, residents will never have to move again, except between levels of care as needed.
 
For more information on CCRC’s in North Carolina please visit the Department of Insurances web site at http://www.ncdoi.com/FED/SE/fed_se_home.asp.
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