I think there may be some confusion about CCRC's... Not all are assisted living or nursing homes... or places to go to die.
As we're in our late 70's we've been living in our "Liberty Village" complex since 2004. It includes the regular homes that we live in, 1500 to 2000 sf, and the rest of the "steps"... Apartments, Assisted Living, Rehab Center, Nursing Home and Alzheimer unit.
We still have a home in a Florida Community, and a camp on a lake here in IL, and still bike, canoe, maintain cars, do repairs, and continually maintain the seawall... (the ongoing project). ... and still party, though not as late as before...
Getting older doesn't mean we lie down to die, but CCRC living does make life simpler as landscaping, lawns, and snow removal are done for us, and the homes are designed with the amenities that make getting around easier for any kind of disability.
The nice part of this is that we can integrate into the community, and have the peace that comes with knowing that if anything happens healthwise, we won't have to make major changes, or uproot the social part of our lives. We're guaranteed access to any other part of the community, and won't have to put a burden on our children.
Everyone ages at a different rate. Age 75 was bit of a turning point for us. Some afternnon naps, less auto travel, more TV... and overall, more quiet time for computers, reading and of course, TV.. The bike rides down to 5 miles at a time rather than 15, the paddling for only an hour at a time, and walking the mall replaces our walks in the park.
So now, with the approaching dementia... a matter of easing into the late years, rather than a sudden upset in lifestyle. A big part of the comfort in this period of transition, comes from being with people our own age, and not trying to keep up with a younger neighborhood.
It's not for everyone. We have some friends and neighbors who still do world travel at age 90, and unfortunately many who have already had to make the move into the apartments... (meals, transportation and housekeeping included) and others who are now in assisted living. Many of these are people younger than us.
It's what I call Phase II... Lower expenses, less activity, and most important... security.