Continuing Care Communities

A CCRC (also called a life plan community) provides multiple levels of care — independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing — on a single campus. Residents typically pay a substantial entry fee plus monthly fees. If care needs change, they can transition to higher levels of care without moving to a new community.

Entry fees range from $100,000 to over $1 million depending on location, unit size, and contract type. Monthly fees run $2,000–$6,000+. Type A (life care) includes healthcare costs in monthly fees; Type B (modified) provides limited healthcare included; Type C (fee-for-service) charges full price for any care used. Type A provides the most financial predictability.

Ask to review audited financial statements, understand exactly what the entry fee covers and whether any portion is refundable, ask the ratio of staff to residents at each level of care, review the resident contract with an elder law attorney before signing, and ask how often monthly fees have increased over the past five years.

Medicare covers short-term skilled nursing care within a CCRC after a qualifying hospital stay. Medicaid acceptance varies — some CCRCs do not accept Medicaid, which means residents who exhaust assets could be required to leave. Before selecting a CCRC, understand its policy for residents who outlive their financial resources.