Thoughts on moving to 55plus community

[Aerides]

What is the difference between a ccrc and assisted living or indepdendent living? Is it dependent on the place and how it defines it?

Wow I just looked up deerfield i had no idea such things existed. So nice.

Check out other threads, CCRC's vary, but essentially, good ones:

You buy in and move in while healthy and active, maybe some needs but certainly not assisted living. Activities, meals, etc., good, expensive ones are going to be like 55+ country club style living. But then you are all set.
You "graduate" at the same price if your care needs advance. You would then move into areas of the community with greater care. You don't get told "ah well now you need memory care we don't do that or it's $3000 more per month"

Assisted/Independent/Memory tend to be more specific, and don't necessarily have the facilities for full wide ranging care.

 

[athena53]

What is the difference between a ccrc and assisted living or independent living? Is it dependent on the place and how it defines it?

Wow I just looked up Deerfield I had no idea such things existed. So nice.

Yes, it does look nice. After Mom died, Dad moved to Independent Living- a small town house with the main building nearby, where he could get meals and join activities. Later he moved to the main building and it was more of an apartment. He'd had to give up his driver's license after some bad scrapes and walking to the main building was difficult for him. He had a serious stroke in early 2021 and then needed LTC. The place where he lived didn't offer it but family in the area selected a good facility and he lasted there for 18 months.

I recently visited family in Atlanta and my Aunt, who is over 90, is in a facility there. It was one of the few Assisted Living places I didn't find depressing. She has her own bedroom and bath and a common living area and kitchen she shares with another woman. Staff are wonderful. They have movie nights and excursions to places like ice cream shops. I hadn't seen her for over a year (my cousin, her daughter, is there almost daily) and, while her cognitive skills are still declining, her mobility has actually improved because she's getting PT. That's the kind of place I want- one that does everything they can to give you the best quality of life possible and not just warehouse you till you die. I'm willing to pay for it.

 

[livingalmostlarge]

I do worry for my mom socially. But unfortunately I think she's going to need to decide for herself.

 

[braumeister]

Check out other threads, CCRC's vary, but essentially, good ones:

You buy in and move in while healthy and active, maybe some needs but certainly not assisted living. Activities, meals, etc., good, expensive ones are going to be like 55+ country club style living. But then you are all set.
You "graduate" at the same price if your care needs advance. You would then move into areas of the community with greater care. You don't get told "ah well now you need memory care we don't do that or it's $3000 more per month"

Assisted/Independent/Memory tend to be more specific, and don't necessarily have the facilities for full wide ranging care.

Important also to realize that this refers to those CCRCs with "Type A" contracts. (as opposed to types B and C). As always, read the fine print.

 

[Happyras]

Well, YB88 and I are neighbors. We close on a home in Trilogy (Redmond WA) before Christmas. Lots of second thoughts, particularly on the price we had to pay to win the bid war. It seems all the SpaceX, Starlink, Microsoft and Amazon folks buy their parents homes there with no thought on cost. Its a tough market, but folks are literally dying to leave there. Ours is an estate sale. I keep telling myself I can always sell if I am not satisfied living so close to neighbors and under the control of the HOA. Keeping our current home gives me that option to go back while not having to liquidate all my tools and tractors! Thank you all for your good comments.

 

[Car-Guy]

Lots of land here but I only maintain 10 to 12 acres these days. The rest is slowly going back to nature. (See I'm supportive of "green") The DW and I have often talked about selling out and moving to a 55+ community near a small/mid size city in the future, so I can understand the need/value. Based on the experiences of others I know that have lived in such communities, I will be looking for one with good R&R and a strong homeowners association to back them up. (I may even volunteer to be on the board) Certainly won't bother me, "at this point in my life", to have a lot less maintenance.