Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) provide a “continuum of care”—lifetime shelter, activities and access to health care services. The resident can move as needed from independent living through assisted living, to nursing and rehabilitation care. Meals and housekeeping services are offered, as well as many social and recreational activities. A resident pays an entrance fee and monthly fees, and usually must enter the community through the independent living section. Many retirement communities are private, not-for-profit organizations or have a religious affiliation.
LIFESTYLES
Most residents enter a retirement community while healthy and active.
They live independently in an apartment or small, semi-detached cottage.
If
a resident begins to have health problems and becomes less able to
do things for him or herself, he or she is able to stay in the community
and move among its different lifestyles (or levels of care) as needed.
Independent living
Assisted living
Nursing Home/Rehabilitation
SETTINGS
Retirement communities offer services in a number of settings. Most retirement communities in Maryland offer a campus setting. However, new options are becoming available, including continuing care at home, condominium living and co-operative living.
SERVICES OFFERED
Retirement
communities make many types of services and activities available
to keep residents healthy, mentally stimulated and an active
part of the community.
Medical
Meals
Activities/Socialization
Transportation
Nursing/Personal
Care
TYPES OF CONTRACTS
The type
of contract you choose determines the types of services
and amount of long-term care that are provided without additional fees.
The contract
is complicated and should always be reviewed by an attorney experienced
with this type of agreement. (An elder law attorney may be the most experienced
in this area.) In Maryland, the types of contracts include:
Extensive
Modified
Fee-for-Service
Life Care in Perpetuity
A new program recently approved by the Maryland Department of Aging, life care at home varies from a continuing care retirement community in that care is provided at the individual's home for as long as possible. This is the least expensive of the types of continuing care retirement programs. A care coordinator makes arrangements for all services that are needed. If the individual has a need for in-home aide services, adult day care, transportation or other services, the care coordinator would make the arrangements and most of the costs would be covered under the contract with the life care company. A variety of service providers would be under contract with the program, including assisted living facilities and nursing homes.