Are Continuing Care Retirement Communities a Good Idea?

The proportion of Americans who are age 65 and older is higher than it’s ever been—and continues to grow every year. That means that for a lot of families, it’s time to start planning for how they will take care of their aging loved ones.

There is a range of options available to you as you or a loved one ages, but one particularly smart, flexible choice are assisted living facilities, otherwise known as continuing care retirement communities.

But what exactly are these facilities—and are continuing care retirement communities a good idea for you or your loved one?

Read on to learn more about continuing care retirement communities—CCRC for short—and how to find the right one for you.

Are Continuing Care Retirement Communities A Good Idea?

The entire concept of a CCRC is that it provides care throughout different phases of an aging person’s life. That can range from active retirement when a person has their own apartment, to assisted living as they get older and develop more health and mobility challenges.

So, are continuing care retirement communities a good idea? In short, yes—because they provide both consistency for the person living there and convenience for their family. 

A person living in a CCRC won’t have to pick up and move to an entirely new location as they move into a new phase of life. Aging can be a challenging, uncertain experience, and being able to seamlessly transition within a CCRC makes it a little easier.

Caring for an aging parent, grandparent or other loved one can also take a toll on families. But if you trust your relative to a trusted, quality CCRC, then you will know they will be in good hands for the rest of their life. 

Considering all of the above, you likely now have your answer to the question: Are continuing care retirement communities a good idea?

What to Look for In a CCRC

Now you know what the benefits of a CCRC can be for an aging person and their family. But it’s important to keep in mind that not all CCRCs are made equal. 

That’s why it’s important that you know what to look for. When touring different CCRCs, take note of the following details: Are the people there happy and engaged?

How does the food look? What level of training do staffers have, and how do they treat the residents? How clean and inviting is the facility?

What different floor plans are available for residents?

As long as you’re asking the right questions, you should have no problem finding the right CCC for you.

Start Looking Today

Are continuing care communities a good idea for your family? Of course, every family’s situation is different—but if you value consistency and convenience, then you can’t go wrong with a CCRC.

You should start looking for the right facility for yourself or your aging loved one today! And if you found this post helpful, feel free to check out the other informative blogs on our site.