What is a Continuing Care Retirement Community?

Continuing Care Retirement Communities provide lifetime shelter and access to health care services. Residents can move from independent living to assisted living, nursing, and rehab care as needed. This type of community offers meals, housekeeping services, social activities and recreation. Sometimes residents must enter the community by starting at the independent living section. Many continuing care communities are private, not-for-profit, or have a religious affiliation. The independent living section is usually an apartment or small, semi-detached cottage. Residents may transition to other levels of the community (with other levels of care) as needed. A team, usually consisting of a doctor, nurse, social worker, and a family member, will convene to determine whether the resident should move to the assisted living or nursing section.