Insights from The Orlando Senior Help Desk: Choosing a Senior Living community, Continuous Care Retirement Community, or rental community

A Continuous Care Retirement Community is the same as a Life Plan Community. In both cases a continuum of care is provided — independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Some CCRC’s offer memory care, and some do not.

When healthcare needs change, the CCRC is equipped to handle the new needs on their campus. This is not true of most rental communities, which may offer a few levels of care but not the entire array.

The disadvantage of a CCRC is the price. Most require a sizeable entrance fee ranging from $10,000 to $100,000,000. While moving out of a senior community...