Sorting through the various retirement living alternatives can be a daunting task. Some communities offer little to no services if your circumstances change and you are not able to live independently, while others are equipped to provide assisted living and even skilled medical care if and when you need it. As you weigh these options,

“It’s the best gift my parents could have possibly given us at this stage of life.” Comments like this are common among adult children whose parents live in continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), sometimes referred to as life plan communities. Research reveals that family members who care for an aging loved one often experience clinically

There are five main types of continuing care retirement community (CCRC) contracts: Type A (“Extensive” or “Lifecare”) requires a high entry fee and a relatively stable monthly service fee that typically includes residential services, amenities, and health care. This is considered an allinclusive option with predictable future expenses, regardless of healthcare needs that may arise.

Entry fees required by many Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs or “life plan communities) are often refundable if a resident decides to move out or in the event of death. Sometimes referred to as a “return of capital,” refundable entry fee contracts typically range between 50 and 90 percent of the entry fee and, unlike

Advances in medicine and technology are helping people to live longer than their parents and grandparents. However, a longer lifetime often necessitates the need for more long-term care services. That is why it is vital to have a plan for the later years of retirement. Phases of Retirement According to Bernard Krooks, a lawyer specializing

Years ago, your parents probably sat you down to have “the talk.” Now it may be your turn to initiate a potentially awkward conversation. Choosing where to live throughout their retirement years is one of the more important—and complex— decisions your parents will make. By initiating this dialogue, you can help kick-start the decision-making process

“What is the difference between a not-for-profit community and a for-profit community?” This is a popular question among prospective residents of Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), also referred to as Life Plan Communities. Many not-for-profit CCRCs are single site organizations, although some are part of a larger group. The distinguishing feature of a not-for-profit CCRC,

A lifecare contract is one of several types of residency contracts offered by continuing care retirement Communities, also referred to as CCRCs or life plan communities. Such a contract is similar to long-term care insurance (LTCI) in the sense that a resident is buying a contract that limits the out-of-pocket cost for long-term care services

Most Continuing Care Retirement Communities have entry requirements, which may include some or all of the following: Entry fee to cover the housing unit’s cost and other services and amenities, including contractually provided access to health care. Minimum age requirements. By definition an “age-qualified” retirement community can only allow residents age 62 or older. 1

A Continuing Care Retirement Community, also referred to as a CCRC or Life Plan Community, contractually provides access to a continuum of care to its residents, typically including independent living, assisted living, memory care and/or skilled nursing care. New CCRC residents are typically required to be able to live independently upon moving in, but they

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs or “Life Plan Communities) can be a wonderful solution for older adults who are independent and active today, but who seek the peace of mind that comes with living in a community that can provide assisted living or health care services if and when needed. But how do you know

Choosing to move to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) is a big decision—one that necessitates through research and planning on your part. You want to be certain that you are selecting a community that will uphold its contractual responsibilities to provide you with a continuum of care services, if needed, by remaining financially solvent.

If you’ve begun researching senior living communities—such as a continuing care retirement community (CCRC, also called a life plan community) or another type of 55 and over community—you’ve likely read about these communities’ minimum age requirements. Some find this topic to be a bit confusing, particularly as it relates to those who have a unique

A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC, or “Life Plan Community”) can be a wonderful solution for older adults who are independent and active today, but who seek the peace of mind that comes with living in a community where assisted living or health care services will be provided when needed. A CCRC is the only

According to Pew Research Center, approximately 10,000 Baby Boomers turned 65 today, and about that same number will reach retirement age every day for the next decade. That’s a lot of retirees! And that’s one of the reasons the retirement living industry is booming in our country with more and more senior living communities opening

When you move into a Continuing Care Retirement Community, also referred to as a CCRC or Life Plan Community, you expect the community to provide housing and health care for life. Therefore, before you make a commitment to a CCRC, you should explore its financial stability, and that of its parent organization, if applicable, to

The vast majority of Continuing Care Retirement Communities require an entry fee. Naturally, people often ask, “What is the purpose of the entry fee?” Before answering this question it is helpful to understand the history of entry fees. The CCRC concept began about a century ago when faith-based and other charitable organizations sought to provide

There are basically five different types of CCRC contracts offered among communities, and variations of each: Type A (lifecare) contract: All other things being equal, a resident with a lifecare contract will pay more while living independently, either in the form of a higher entry fee or a higher monthly service fee. The trade-off is that

August 24, 2018 – The fall course offerings through the Lifelong Learning Series at Carroll Lutheran Village are now available for registration.  The series of programs include art, yoga, swimming, meditation, technology, health and fitness and more. The Lifelong Learning Series continues as part of the Carroll Lutheran Village wellness initiative in partnership with the

Determining what differentiates one type of retirement community from another is a point of confusion for many prospective residents and their family members. Try searching for the term “retirement community” online, and you’ll get thousands of results ranging from active adult communities to nursing homes, and everything in between. How is one to narrow down

August 23, 2017 – The fall course offerings through the Lifelong Learning Series at Carroll Lutheran Village are now open for registration.  The series of programs include art, yoga, swimming, pottery, technology and meditation classes. The Lifelong Learning Series continues as part of the Carroll Lutheran Village wellness initiative in partnership with the Carroll County Arts

December 22, 2016 – The winter course offerings through the Lifelong Learning Series at Carroll Lutheran Village are now available for registration.  The series of programs include art, yoga, swimming, technology, movement and meditation classes and more. The Lifelong Learning Series continues as part of the Carroll Lutheran Village wellness initiative in partnership with the