Is Continuing Care Right for You?

It used to be that aging people would stay in their homes as long as possible. When they could no longer care for themselves, they would move in with a relative or – if there was no other option – go into a nursing home. These situations were far from ideal for many reasons, a major one being that it becomes increasingly difficult to pull up roots as we age. At the moment older adults ceased to be able to function at home, they had to sell a house, distribute belongings to relatives and deal with the logistics of starting over somewhere else. As a result, many people stayed at home far too long, subjecting themselves to a great deal of danger and often a shortened life.

More Options

Fortunately, older adults have a much larger palette of options today. One that has been getting a lot of attention is continuing care. Continuing Care Retirement Communities, or CCRCs, offer residents care starting from when they are still independent through the end of life. CCRCs accomplish this by providing increasing levels of care in different settings. A high-rise-based CCRC might have independent living units on some floors, assisted living on others, and skilled nursing facilities somewhere else. A more suburban community might offer free-standing cottages or town homes, with higher levels of care in nearby or adjacent buildings. Typically, all residents have some housekeeping, recreation, medical care and some meals provided, but the amount might vary depending on the community and on the individual contract.

Who Is It Right For?

Since CCRCs tend to be more expensive than other options, careful consideration is required in order to make the decision to move to one. Most require new residents to be independent, which means the decision must be made before the person really feels the need to leave their home. Many people dislike the idea of giving up some of their freedoms so soon in the aging process. But for others, this loss of freedom is more than off-set by the sense of security and safety they will get from having their future all planned out.

It is also a good situation for couples who want to stay together, but fear they may age at different rates. People who have no family around to care for them as they age may also enjoy the security and social contact available at a CCRC.

Check With Your Lawyer

It is imperative that anyone thinking of moving into any long-term care situation consult with a lawyer who will help you sort out your options.