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Life plan communities, also known as Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), are senior living communities that offer a range of housing and care options all in one place. They allow residents to move between independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care as their needs change.
Key Features:
- Continuum of Care: Provides independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care.
- Entrance Fees: Typically require a substantial upfront entrance fee, along with monthly fees.
- Life Care Contracts: Offer various contract options, including life care, modified care, and fee-for-service.
- Amenities and Services: Include dining, housekeeping, transportation, social activities, and wellness programs.
- Social Environment: Fosters a strong sense of community among residents.
- Long-Term Planning: Provides a sense of security and peace of mind for future care needs.
Who Benefits from Life Plan Communities?
- Seniors who want a long-term plan for their future care.
- Individuals who desire a social environment and community support.
- Those who want to simplify their living arrangements and reduce the burdens of home maintenance.
- People who want to ensure they receive appropriate care as their needs change.
The Misconception: Life Plan Communities are Just “Fancy Nursing Homes” and “Places Where You Lose All Your Independence.”
The Interesting Angle: Life Plan Communities are Like “A Pre-Paid, All-Inclusive Cruise Ship for Your Retirement” – They’re About Planning for a Secure and Active Future, Not Just Preparing for Decline, and It’s About Gaining Freedom from Worry and Enjoying a Worry-Free Lifestyle!
- The Common Misunderstanding:
- People think life plan communities are only for the very frail and that they’re restrictive and expensive.
- The Real Story: A Pre-Paid, All-Inclusive Cruise Ship for Your Retirement
- Think of life plan communities as a place where:
- You plan for your future: You know you’ll have access to care if you need it, just like a cruise ship has medical facilities.
- You enjoy resort-style living: Dining, activities, and amenities are provided, much like a cruise.
- You build a strong community: You connect with other residents and staff, like making friends on a cruise.
- You gain peace of mind: You don’t have to worry about future care decisions, like having everything taken care of on a cruise.
- It is about proactively planning for the future: Not reactively dealing with issues as they arrive, like pre-booking excursions on a cruise.
- It’s about investing in a secure and fulfilling future, not just paying for a place to live.
- It’s about gaining freedom from worry, and not losing personal freedoms.
- Think of life plan communities as a place where:
- Why This is Powerful:
- It changes the idea from “expensive nursing home” to “lifetime investment.”
- It shows that life plan communities are about more than just healthcare.
- It helps people see the benefits of long-term planning and community.
- The “Get it Wrong” Factor:
- People think they’re only for very frail seniors, but they’re for active and independent individuals.
- They think they’re restrictive, but they offer a wide range of activities and amenities.
- They think it is only about healthcare, and not about a lifestyle.
Why Life Plan Communities are Important:
Life plan communities offer a unique approach to senior living by providing a continuum of care in one location. This helps seniors:
- Plan for future care needs: Ensures they receive appropriate care as their needs change.
- Maintain a sense of community: Fosters social connections and reduces feelings of isolation.
- Simplify living arrangements: Eliminates the burdens of home maintenance and allows for more time to enjoy life.
- Gain peace of mind: Reduces anxiety about future care decisions.
- Enjoy a wide range of amenities and services: Provides access to dining, activities, and wellness programs.
How to Find Life Plan Communities:
- LeadingAge: A national association of nonprofit aging services providers, including life plan communities.
- CARF International: An independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human service providers, including life plan communities.
- Link: https://www.carf.org/
- AARP (American Association of Retired Persons): Provides information and resources on senior living options, including life plan communities.
- Link: https://www.aarp.org/
- Online Directories: Websites like SeniorLiving.org and MyLifeSite provide directories of life plan communities.
- Consult with Financial Advisors: Financial advisors can help you assess the financial aspects of life plan communities.
Resources for Life Plan Communities and Related Information:
- LeadingAge:
- A national association of nonprofit aging services providers, including CCRCs.
- Link: https://www.leadingage.org/
- CARF International:
- An independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human service providers, including CCRCs.
- Link: https://www.carf.org/
- AARP (American Association of Retired Persons):
- Provides information and resources on senior living options, including CCRCs.
- Link: https://www.aarp.org/
- MyLifeSite:
- Provides information and resources on CCRCs, including a directory of communities.
- Information can be found by searching “MyLifeSite”
- SeniorLiving.org:
- Provides comprehensive information on senior living options, including CCRCs.
- Link: https://www.seniorliving.org/