Aging in place

Continuing care retirement communities cover all aspects of senior living.

Seniors who are ready to leave their traditional homes behind for the next stage in life can find medical and custodial security at continuing care retirement communities. They offer every facet of care based on each resident’s individual needs: independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing, all on one campus.

CCRCs allow residents to “age in place.” While residents are in good health, they can enjoy all the benefits of independent living, such as having their own apartment or condominium in a maintenance-free environment. They are free from responsibilities such as yardwork or home repairs and have more time to pursue recreational activities. As residents age and they are slowed by illness or physical decline, they can smoothly transition to an assisted living facility, which provides services for people who need help with daily tasks. Skilled nursing is for residents who require higher levels of care.

Memory care units are available at many CCRCs for residents with Alzheimer’s disease, allowing for medical and custodial care of the resident while their spouse receives professional assistance.

Many continuing care retirement communities have accommodations resembling five-star hotels, with appealing amenities such as pools, dining areas, libraries, fitness/spa centers and areas for private physicians to visit residents. Many also provide extensive services such as housekeeping, transportation and social and educational programs.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Double The Offerings

Continuing care retirement communities in Lake County are few, but one offers not only the full spectrum of health care but also access to the amenities of The Villages.

Freedom Pointe, part of Brookdale Senior Living, provides four levels of care: independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Residents can be moved to the next level of care as needed.

In addition to the facility’s own amenities—indoor pool, spa, café/bistro, restaurant-style dining, beauty and barber shop, fitness center—residents also enjoy access to The Villages’ executive golf courses, town squares, swimming pools and tennis, among other activities, according to brookdale.com.

One financial option at Freedom Pointe is a Life Care contract that includes an upfront buy-in fee and a monthly service fee. In return, Life Care guarantees accommodations and care even if a resident’s assets are exhausted through no fault of their own, depending on the contract chosen.

Entry fees for Life Care communities typically range from $150,000 to $300,000, brookdale.com states. Residents may have the option of a refundable contract that returns a portion—up to 90 percent—of the entry fee to a designated beneficiary, and tax deductions may be available for portions of the fees. Rental options also are available in which residents pay a monthly rental fee based on the level of care, with no buy-in fee.

various insurance entities can be utilize d insurance policies may be used, subject to some restrictions. Custodial care is not covered and must be paid out-of-pocket.