What Is the Best Age to Move into a Continuing Care Retirement Community?
Aging seniors tend to need more help with day-to-day tasks, and there are a lot of senior living communities available to provide that help. Continuing care retirement communities are one of the most popular options for senior living out there since they provide an age-in-place perspective. However, since every senior ages differently, figuring out what the best age is to join one of these communities can be difficult.
What Is a Continuing Care Retirement Community?
Also sometimes called life plan communities, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) are senior living communities designed to provide care for all seniors, no matter how much daily help they need. CCRCs can do this because they are typically large communities with many sub-communities that are tailored to different levels of care.
At a CCRC, you will usually see these sub-communities as independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care. However, all these living options are intertwined, and residents of each can enjoy the CCRC’s community amenities, such as dining halls, exercise spaces, or gardens. Another major benefit of living in a CCRC is the fact that CCRCs make it easy for you to move from one level of care to another, so residents of independent living areas can move into assisted living apartments later as needed.
Who Independent Living Is for
When you join independent living at a CCRC, you’ll be able to stay in a small house or apartment that community staff will maintain for you. This means that all housekeeping and yard work will be taken care of, so you can spend your time doing other things.
Independent seniors at a CCRC often use community fitness centers, which can help them stay active and independent for quite a long time. Living at a CCRC can also help independent seniors connect with neighbors, enjoy community-wide social events, and prevent feelings of loneliness.
Who Assisted Living Is for
Assisted living is a great option for seniors who need help performing activities of daily living, also called ADLs. ADLs may include, but are not limited to, going to the bathroom, bathing, getting dressed, walking, and eating.
For seniors who join an assisted living community, staff members are available to help with ADLs during scheduled or set times every day. In some cases, staff may also be available on-call. In an assisted living area of a CCRC, residents may also have access to 24/7 emergency help, which can be extremely useful in cases of falls or medical emergencies.
Who Skilled Nursing Care Is for
Many people believe that skilled nursing care communities and nursing homes are the same. However, skilled nursing care can offer a lot of services that other communities can’t, such as IV therapy, advanced medical treatments, and specialized nursing care.
For most seniors, staying in a skilled nursing care community should only be temporary as these services are available to help seniors recover after a severe illness or injury, such as a stroke or pneumonia. However, skilled nursing care areas can also act as a long-term living option for those who need advanced medical care in a setting that is similar to a hospital, for example, for those with certain disabilities.
Who Memory Care Is for
Many CCRCs offer memory care or memory support communities, which are tailored to seniors with a cognitive disability, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These work similarly to an assisted living community; however, they typically feature security measures to prevent the wandering of residents. In a memory care community, residents may also have access to engaging activities tailored to them, such as physical, musical, or artistic games and classes.
At What Age Should I Join a Continuing Care Retirement Community?
On average, most seniors first join a continuing care retirement community in their mid-70s. However, it’s a good idea to move into a CCRC earlier than this if possible so that you can become accustomed to your new environment and enjoy the benefits of living in one of these communities. That being said, if you are over 65 and already retired, a good time to move into a CCRC is as soon as you feel comfortable.
The Benefits of Joining a CCRC Today
If you are a senior who needs help with daily activities, moving into a CCRC will unlock a lot of assistance for you. However, if you are still very independent, moving into a CCRC now will secure the assistance you may or may not need later in your life. After all, all CCRCs exist to make it easy for you to access senior care as you age.
Continuing care retirement communities also take care of house upkeep for you, and they usually host weekly social events, community classes, and other activities for you to enjoy. Plus, residents of CCRCs have access to a variety of dining options, and they may be able to get free rides to and from doctor’s appointments, stores, and other nearby locations.
If you are thinking of moving into a continuing care retirement community, consider joining Crane’s Mill. Crane’s Mill is a leading CCRC in Caldwell, New Jersey, that offers everything from transportation services to an on-site fitness center, indoor pool and hot tub, walking trails, a greenhouse, and live entertainment for all residents with no extra costs.
