While research continues to show that up to 90% of older adults want to remain in their own homes as they age, such “aging in place” can create numerous issues for them and other loved ones. This is why one of the most significant innovations in senior living and care over the past few decades is the concept of continuing care at home (CCAH). 

The CCAH model offers a promising alternative to traditional retirement communities, assisted living, and nursing homes. By allowing older adults to receive any needed care and support in their own homes, CCAH addresses many of the physical, emotional, and social challenges that come with aging. At the same time, it enables people to safely remain in the home they love for longer. For some, the continuing care at home model may just be a best-of-both-worlds solution for many older adults.

What is continuing care at home?

In our blog posts, we often discuss the concept of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also called a life plan community. CCRCs are a specific type of retirement community offering residents various amenities as well as progressive levels of on-site assistance — a continuum of care from independent living to assisted living/memory care, and typically all the way to full-time skilled nursing care. 

Depending on the specific type of contract they have with the community, CCRC residents typically pay a sizable buy-in/entry fee as well as a monthly service fee. In exchange, they receive housing, a meal plan, a vast array of amenities, a variety of social/entertainment offerings, and access to that continuum of care services, should they ever need it. 

But as we mentioned, the vast majority of older adults strive to remain in their own home for as long as possible. This decision is often about people’s perception of “independence”  and/or a desire to remain in a beloved home; it may also be a matter of cost. (Though as we’ve shared, staying in the home may not always be less expensive than moving to a CCRC or other retirement community.)

But regardless of a person’s motivations for their senior living decision, a continuing care at home (CCAH) program (sometimes called  a “CCRC without walls”) will oftentimes merge the comfort and security of staying in one’s own home with the peace of mind that comes with living in a CCRC.

>> Related: Crunch the Numbers: Aging at Home vs. Moving to a CCRC

How continuing care at home programs work

CCAH programs are typically offered by and administered through CCRCs or other senior living and care providers. Similar to a standard CCRC contract, a continuing care at home agreement usually includes a one-time upfront “membership fee” as well as a monthly service fee, but the total expense will be lower than moving into the CCRC (especially for those who own their own home outright). 

Depending on the terms of the CCAH contract, your “membership” to the community may grant you access to certain CCRC amenities such as the pool and fitness center, on-campus programs and events, and dining. In other cases, a CCAH contract functions more like a long-term care policy, primarily granting the member access to the care services they may eventually require.

You may also get what is sometimes termed “priority access” to the community’s continuum of care services. Should you need assistance that can safely be provided outside of a care setting, the community’s caregivers (physical therapists, aides, nurses, etc.) would be dispatched to your own home. If you require more complex in-patient long-term care, the costs will often be covered by the program.

In short, CCAH programs eliminate the requirement to buy-in or rent a residence on the CCRC’s physical campus but offer many of the benefits of living in a CCRC. Retirement communities that have implemented continuing care at home programs have effectively extended the reach of their services far beyond the walls of their facility.

>> Related: “…but I love my home”: Is Staying in Your House the Right Move?

A closer look at what a CCAH contract/membership buys

Each community that sells CCAH contracts will provide a slightly different set of offerings. Generally speaking, however, CCAH may include access to:

  • Community amenities and events: Use of the community’s wellness facilities and programs (such as group exercise classes), as well as on-campus social and educational programs, and dining privileges
  • Dedicated care navigator: Oversees regular needs assessments like medical monitoring of health conditions and medication management
  • Personal care assistance: Help with daily living activities, including bathing, dressing, grooming, and meal preparation
  • Home health care: Skilled medical care, such as nursing visits, therapy (physical, occupational, or speech), and wound care
  • Other support services: Assistance with transportation and companionship

Unlike traditional home care, CCAH usually includes a long-term plan that is flexible enough to adjust to the evolving needs of older adults. A key feature of CCAH is the assurance that, as health conditions change, members will continue to receive necessary services either in their own home, or with a smooth transition to the CCRC’s campus if more complex care is needed.

Some example CCAH programs

More and more CCAH programs are being launched across the country. Each one will be slightly different, offering its own unique set of services, requirements, and pricing. It’s important to understand exactly what you will (and won’t) get with a membership to a specific program.

Springpoint Choice

One example of a CCAH program is administered by Springpoint, which owns numerous nonprofit CCRCs and affordable senior housing communities in the Mid-Atlantic region. Touted as a “standalone alternative to long-term care insurance” (or a supplement to it), a Springpoint Choice membership gives older adults access to Springpoint CCRCs’ on-campus social and wellness amenities while also ensuring they get the care they need within the comfort of their home. 

And importantly, for added peace of mind, if a Springpoint Choice member requires more complex care services in the future — care that can’t be delivered in a private home — their Springpoint “personal care navigator” will make all necessary arrangements for this transition. Whether the member requires rehabilitation services, memory care, assisted living, or 24/7 skilled nursing care, the membership will cover the costs within one of Springpoint’s communities.

Kendal at Home

Another CCAH program called Kendal at Home is offered by Kendal, a nonprofit provider of senior living and care services operating across eight states. In some respects, the Kendal at Home program is set up much like a long-term-care insurance policy, though it does offer certain unique perks akin to Springpoint’s CCAH program.

For example, similar to Springpoint Choice, Kendal at Home is a membership program that provides older adults the ability to remain in their own home but also access the care and support services they might need as they age. It provides members with 24/7 access to a care coordinator who assesses members’ needs as they arise, ensuring they get the specific type of assistance or services they require. Should hospitalization be needed, a care coordinator will even visit the hospital to monitor and facilitate outpatient care requirements.

Unlike Springpoint Choice, however, Kendal at Home does not grant members access to their communities’ amenities. It does have member-organized groups for shared interests though (for example book clubs or other hobbies), providing members with opportunities to socialize and remain engaged. 

And should a Kendal at Home member who needs long-term care services decide they want to move to an assisted living or skilled nursing facility, their membership will pay for the facility (if it meets the guidelines of the member’s plan). Plus, membership benefits are portable throughout the continental United States, meaning members are covered for travel or even a permanent move. 

>> Related: Home- and Community-Based Services: An Increasingly Popular Care Option

The benefits of continuing care at home

Although CCAH won’t be right for everyone, such programs can offer a number of benefits to older adults, their families, and even society as a whole.

Independence and comfort
CCAH lets older adults age in place, remaining in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.

Personalized care
CCAH programs offer customized care plans addressing medical, emotional, and social needs, ensuring the right level of care at the right time.

Improved quality of life for family caregivers
Families of CCAH members can often stay more connected to their loved ones in their own home. Additionally, CCAH provides family caregivers with professional care support, reducing stress and burnout while improving their quality of life.

Cost-effectiveness
In many cases, CCAH can be more affordable than an assisted living community or nursing home, eliminating the cost of in-patient room and board. It also offers more predictable pricing, which can ease the financial burden on families.

Better health outcomes
People in CCAH programs may experience better health outcomes, including fewer hospital readmissions, thanks to personalized care and the comfort of home.

Reduced burden on healthcare systems
Utilizing CCAH can reduce strain on hospitals and long-term care facilities, leading to more efficient use of resources.

>> Related: The Unexpected Costs of Caring for an Aging Parent

CCAH: A best-of-both-worlds senior living solution

Continuing care at home is a forward-thinking solution for our nation’s aging population —many of whom prefer to “age in place.” By offering a wide range of services and the flexibility to adapt to changing health needs, CCAH empowers older adults to live with dignity, independence, and comfort in their own homes while also providing peace of mind and flexibility.

As more people strive to age in place, CCAH programs will likely continue to grow in popularity. For older adults and their families, this approach offers a holistic, compassionate way to navigate the challenges of aging and long-term care while preserving peoples’ independence and quality of life.

 

 

Originally posted May 19, 2016; updated Feb. 24, 2025

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