• Community contracts with an outside agency
• Provided by on-staff caregivers
• Resident may hire in-home caregivers

Apartments

Unlike a studio apartment, this floorplan includes at least one-bedroom that is separate from the living area, and possibly multiple bedrooms. A full kitchen may also be available.

Assisted Living

State regulated facility offering supportive care to residents who are unable to live independently and require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) including management of medications, bathing, dressing, toileting, ambulating and eating.

Contract Type (Residency Contract)

CCRCs offer a variety of contract types that define the costs and services related to the resident's agreement with the community. There are basically five contract types: Lifecare, Modified, Fee for Service, Rental, and Equity. A single community can offer more than one contract type. See below or get additional details on contract types here.

Cottages/Villas

Also referred to as patio homes, this housing option typically includes two or three single-story adjoining homes. Usually larger floorplans than an apartment.

Entry Fee

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs or “life plan communities'') often require an entry fee prior to occupancy. The entry fee may be refundable at some point in the future. Be sure to read the residency contract for details on refundable entry fees.

Equity Contract

This contract involves the actual purchase of real estate or a membership. The level of residential services and amenities included in monthly fees or membership dues will vary by community. The cost of assisted living or nursing care will also vary by community. An equity contract may provide some discount for assisted living or nursing care but others may be fee-for-service.

Fee for Service (Type C)

Residents transitioning from independent living to assisted living, memory care, or nursing care will begin paying the then-current market rate for those services. All other things equal, it offers the lowest entry fee compared to other entry fee arrangements. Communities with no entry fee, but a contractual obligation to provide healthcare are also considered Fee for Service for the purposes of these profiles.

Independent Living

Residents generally lead an independent or mostly independent lifestyle. Independent living is not licensed to provide assisted living or other types of care, although these services may be delivered as in-home care. There are no skilled nursing beds in independent living.

Licensed Provider

If a community is a part of a broader network of communities, the publicly used name of the CCRC may not be the same as the name of the licensed provider. The licensed provider is the entity that is actually licensed with the state to provide services, if state licensing is required.

Lifecare (Type A)

Residents transitioning from independent living to assisted living, memory care, or nursing care will continue paying the then-current rate for the independent living residence in which they were residing. Requires the highest entry fee relative to other entry fee arrangements. Monthly fees may increase for inflation adjustments or other operational reasons. With this type of contract a resident is essentially pre-paying for health-related services such as assisted living or nursing care that may be needed in the future.

Lifecare (with Equalized Rates)

Residents transitioning from independent living to assisted living, memory care, or nursing care will begin paying a monthly rate equal to the then-current rate of a pre-specified independent living residence, which is typically somewhere in between the lowest and highest priced residences. This means that some residents could pay more when they require care services and others could pay less, depending on what they were previously paying for their independent living residence.

Medicaid Certified

This means the community’s skilled nursing and assisted living facilities are Medicaid certified, and when applicable, accepts Medicaid reimbursements for residents who no longer have the financial means to pay for care themselves. Learn more about Medicaid eligibility.

Medicare-Certified

This means the community’s skilled nursing facility is Medicare certified, and when applicable, accepts Medicare reimbursements. Learn more about Medicare eligibility. Keep in mind that unlike Medicaid, Medicare does not cover non-medical care such as assisted living or custodial care if that is the only care required.

Medicare Nursing Home (CMS) Star Rating

In the case where the skilled nursing facility is Medicare-Certified then the Centers for Medicare Services (CMS) publishes a rating based on a five star rating scale, with five out of five being the best. Learn more about ratings. Learn more CMS star ratings.

Memory Care

A specialized type of care provided to those with varying degrees of dementia or Alzheimer’s. It may be provided in an assisted living community or nursing home. A more comprehensive approach may be found in a memory care facility, designed specifically for those with memory care needs.

Modified Contract (Type B)

Residents transitioning from independent living to assisted living, memory care, or nursing care will begin paying the then-current market rate for those services, less a discount. Alternatively- or additionally- residents may receive a certain number of service days in the healthcare center at no additional monthly charge, before they begin paying the market rate.

Parent Company

If the CCRC is owned by a larger organization, the parent company may have a different name than any of the individual communities that it owns or operates.

Private Pay

A healthcare center or assisted living facility that is private pay does not accept reimbursements from Medicare or Medicaid.

Rental Contract

There is no entry fee associated with this type of arrangement. Residential services, amenities, and care may sometimes be less available than an entry fee community. Residents under contract may not be provided guaranteed or priority access to assisted living and nursing care. As with a fee for service contract, the resident will pay for care at the full per diem cost.

Single-site / Multi-site

A community may be a stand-alone organization on a single-site, or may be owned by an organization that operates more than one community; i.e. multi-site.

Skilled Nursing Care

Aside from hospital care, this represents the highest level of care, which may be acute or long-term. The majority of individuals in skilled nursing require 24-hour nursing and/or medical care. In most cases, these properties are licensed for Medicaid and/or Medicare reimbursement, but some are private pay. Skilled Nursing Care facilities may include a minority of assisted living and/or Alzheimer's/dementia care.

Studio Apartments

A floorplan where the living room doubles as the single bedroom. Usually includes a small kitchen area. Smallest type of floorplan available within a retirement community and is more common in assisted living settings.

Townhomes/Duplexes

This housing option typically includes two or three multi-story adjoining homes. Usually larger floorplans than an apartment.

Third-party Manager

It is common practice for communities, including single-site facilities, to contract with a professional services firm to manage daily operations. The third-party manager will have a different name from the retirement community.

1. Are you offering any assistance in helping prospective residents sell their homes or pay the entrance fee?
2. Are there any additional contracts or refund options available which are not included in this profile?
3. Is any portion of the entrance fee deductible for tax purposes? If so, what was the deductible amount in the most recent tax year for those who qualified?
4. How can I be sure the community is well-managed financially, and prepared to meet all current and future obligations to residents?
5. Is there a wait list? If so, how long, and for which units?
6. Is there an active residents’ association? If so, how are they represented in terms of decisions made by the board/management/ownership?
7. Do you have any plans for expansion or renovation? How is that to be financed and what impact will it have on current residents?
8. What services are included in my base monthly fee? What services are available at an extra cost?