| Many
of these active adult communities are amenity rich, with
everything from equestrian facilities to Olympic size
swimming pools and private lakes, and many are expensive
because of these amenities. Often unmistakable
from resorts, they tend to attract a certain
socioeconomic group and often have full-time activities
directors as well.
Beyond active adult communities, there are 55+
apartment communities, many which have a flat fee and
then extra services, sometimes including on-site
healthcare, for a separate fee. These, too,
can sometimes feel like a resort hotel.
Continuing care retirement communities, also known as
CCRCs, our campus-like communities that offer a
continuum of care, usually including independent living
homes, which may be apartments or houses, assisted
living and nursing home care. The idea behind these is
to give residents a sense of security, knowing that
healthcare is close at hand when needed as they age. One
thing to keep in mind about continuing care retirement
communities is that residents must be in good mental and
physical health before moving into one.
Assisted living facilities may be stand alone
retirement homes and/or communities, or they may be on
the same campus as a nursing home. Assisted-living
is for people who need help with everyday living
activities, such as bathing and eating, but who do not
need medical care. People in assisted living
usually live in one large building or a series of
buildings on a campus. Meals are usually
congregant but not always, and lots of activities keep
residents busy and active. These facilities
usually charge a flat monthly fee and then charge extra
fees for extra services. Before moving into an assisted
living community, make sure you know what is included in
the monthly fee and what is not included.
Nursing homes are for people who need not only
assistance with everyday living but also need medical
care.
So the idea of retirement homes, while still
traditional in many ways, is evolving to meet the needs
of a generation that changed nearly everything about
America. Baby boomers are going to live well into
their 80s and 90s, and they are not content with having
the limited choices that their parents have and
had. If anyone can change retirement and
retirement homes for the better, it is this generation. |
