What to Look for in a Continuing Care Retirement Community
If you are planning a move to a continuing care retirement community, you may be unsure where to start. Depending on the lifestyle you’re looking for, your medical concerns, and your budget, there are many factors to consider when looking for the next place you will call home!
What is a CCRC?
A continuing care retirement community, also known as a CCRC or life plan community, is a long-term care option for older adults who want to stay in the same place through different phases of the aging process.
For example, a CCRC resident will move into an independent-living apartment and then transition to assisted living when they require additional help with daily activities or skilled nursing when they need medical care. At The Vista, we offer our residents access to a variety of care services in the other communities on Christian Health’s campus should they need them at any point.
The following are some of the most important characteristics of a CCRC to take into consideration when choosing one to call home.
Contract Types
CCRCs offer a variety of contract types with varying financial stipulations, depending on how inclusive of a package you are looking for. Typically, a one-time entry fee is paid (often funded by the sale of a current home), and then a monthly service fee is charged for routine maintenance, access to included amenities and services, and depending on your contract type, access to a continuum of care services should you end up needing them in the long-term, such as assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing.
Be sure you understand the financial terms of your CCRC agreement before signing.
There are two different types of contracts offered at the Vista:
- Fee-for-Service Contract: Often chosen by those who would like to self-insure or who have long-term care insurance, with a fee-for-service contract you will pay the then-current rate for whatever care services you need when you need them, minus a 10 percent Vista resident discount.
- Life-Care Contract: This contract type includes access to care services in the monthly rate, so if you, your spouse, or both of you require assisted living, memory support, or long-term skilled nursing care, you would continue to pay the same monthly fee that you were paying in your Vista apartment, plus charges for ancillary services. This option may save you significant money if you require long-term care for an extended period.
Services and Amenities
Most CCRCs offer a plethora of on-site activities, classes, and amenities for residents to enjoy. When shopping for a CCRC, make sure the one you choose ticks all your boxes and provides access to the types of amenities most important to you.
At The Vista, our residents live an inspired and active lifestyle, filled with enriching cultural experiences, social activities, stimulating entertainment, and health and wellness programs. Our community boasts an array of amenities, including a fitness center, a heated indoor pool, a performing arts center, on-site dining, a spa and salon, a library, an art studio, and a diverse calendar of planned social activities, classes, gatherings, and educational programs.
Location, Location, Location
When choosing a new home, one of the most important factors to consider is location. While many potential CCRC residents choose to move places where the weather is warmer or cost of living is cheaper, an increasing number of retirees are choosing to stay close to family and relocating to a retirement community near their hometown.
It may also be easier to relocate your belongings to a CCRC close to home – moving can be costly, and a long-distance move will only increase your expenses.
Quality Dining Options
Retirement means less responsibility and taking it easy – what better way to do that than to let someone else do the cooking? When moving to a CCRC, the on-site restaurants are a huge perk – so you want to make sure they offer quality cuisine and diverse options! The Vista is home to two restaurants that serve delicious meals with friendly, attentive service – The Gallery Café and Bistro, our all-day eatery for casual, homestyle meals, and The Waterstone, our fine-dining option for upscale dishes and Sunday brunch.
Health Care Services
A main advantage of moving to a CCRC is the assurance that you will have access to assisted living and medical care as you age. It is imperative to make sure the CCRC you choose offers quality care for older adults through every stage of the aging process to guarantee you are well cared for in the future.
At The Vista, we promote a healthy, active, and independent lifestyle for our residents to keep them in their homes as long as possible. However, if and when they need it, they will have access to the extensive continuum of compassionate care services on the Christian Health campus, including assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing.
Lifestyle Factors
Are you looking for an active and engaged social life? Is a beautiful, natural setting important to you? Do you prioritize having a spacious apartment home? Make sure your CCRC caters to the type of life you are looking to enjoy during retirement.
At The Vista, we offer a variety of apartment floor plans to meet your needs, a peaceful mountain atmosphere with breathtaking views, a perfectly curated calendar of social activities, and numerous state-of-the-art amenities to suit any prospective resident’s lifestyle preferences.
Want to learn more about life at The Vista?
If you are considering a move to a CCRC in New Jersey, The Vista might be right for you. For more information or to schedule a tour, please call (201) 848-4200 or provide your contact information using our quick and easy form.