The Vista Blog

If you are planning a move to a continuing care retirement community, also known as a CCRC, there are many things to consider. Which features should you prioritize when choosing a CCRC to call home?

Is a CCRC right for you?

A CCRC 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, as a CCRC resident, you will enjoy an independent, vibrant lifestyle with access to a variety of amenities and services. If you need assisted living or health care one day, a CCRC will provide these services right in the same community or on the same campus. This makes CCRC living much more convenient and often easier to financially plan for.

Depending on the lifestyle you’re looking for, your concerns, and your budget, there are many important characteristics of a CCRC to consider when choosing one to call home.

Where is the community located?

When choosing a new home, one of the most obvious factors to consider is your desired location. While many potential CCRC residents choose to move down south, where the weather is warmer and the cost of living is cheaper, you may prefer to stay close to your hometown and near your loved ones. It’s also much more convenient (and affordable) to relocate somewhere close by.

What are the services and amenities available?

CCRCs offer many on-site activities, events, and amenities for residents to enjoy. Before choosing a CCRC, you may find it helpful to make a list of amenities that are most important for the lifestyle you picture for yourself. Do you want an on-site pool or a state-of-the-art fitness center? Is a robust calendar of engaging classes, health and wellness programs, exciting entertainment, and fun socials important to you? Are you looking for a community with beautifully landscaped grounds and stunning views? Having a checklist of must-haves in hand will help make it easier for you to decide when touring any potential CCRCs.

What type of lifestyle does the community offer?

Are you looking for a vibrant atmosphere with a busy social calendar? Is a spacious apartment with ample privacy more important to you? Are you looking for a community with a close proximity to nature or city attractions? Make sure the CCRC you choose cultivates the type of lifestyle you are looking to enjoy during retirement.

How is the food?

When moving to a CCRC, the on-site restaurants are a huge perk. What’s better than having several delicious dining options just steps from your door? Before choosing a CCRC, make sure they offer quality cuisine, diverse options, and accommodations for any dietary restrictions you may have. Whether the CCRC features restaurants that offer an inviting atmosphere, rotating menus, and even al fresco dining are factors to consider as well.

How much will it cost?

CCRCs offer a variety of contract types with different fee structures. Typically, you will pay a one-time entry fee and then a monthly service fee for routine maintenance, access to included amenities and services, and depending on your contract type, access to a continuum of care services if you ever need them, such as assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing. When choosing a CCRC, be sure to carefully consider each option and how it best meets your individual needs.

Two common options for CCRC contracts include:

• Life care contract: This contract includes any necessary care services in a flat monthly rate – in other words, your monthly service fee is the same regardless of whether you are living independently or receiving additional care services in assisted living or skilled nursing.
• Fee-for-service contract: A fee-for-service plan will be less costly at first because any future necessary health care services will be paid for separately if and when you need them. However, depending on the market rate for these services in the future, this option could become costlier in the long run.

Is The Vista the right CCRC for you?

The Vista boasts a variety of apartment floor plans, a peaceful mountain atmosphere with breathtaking views, a perfectly curated calendar of social activities, chef-inspired cuisine in two diverse venues, and numerous state-of-the-art amenities to suit any prospective resident’s lifestyle preferences. If you are considering a move to a CCRC in Bergen County, we are confident that this premier community will tick all of your boxes. For more information or to schedule a tour, please call (201) 848-4200 or provide your contact information using our quick and easy form.