When considering making a move to a retirement community, there are many options to consider. Trying to keep track of the differences in what each community offers may seem overwhelming or confusing. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be. In this article, you’ll learn the ins and outs of one type of community, a Life Plan Community, and the benefits that set this living option apart. Previously known as Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), Life Plan Communities are characterized by offering a flexible independent living option that encourages an active lifestyle. They offer residents the benefits of independent living with a range of health services within a socially active community, providing exceptional amenities and access to residences offering support should your needs ever change.
While some traditional retirement communities can only offer one standard of living, Life Plan Communities offer a range of care levels for everyone’s individual needs, including everything from fully independent living to expert round-the-clock skilled nursing care.
Compared to communities only offering only independent living or specific levels of care, there are three main things which set Life Plan Communities apart:
1.     Resort-style amenities, dining and wellness services
Life Plan Communities are known for providing a wide array of activities designed to keep you active, healthy and happy. You can experience these activities through the immersive onsite amenities that Life Plan Communities offer as a part of their mission to promote an active lifestyle among residents.
Life Plan Communities can keep you entertained with movie or game nights, keep you social with parties and dances and keep you active with Zumba and onsite fitness classes. The activities are endless, so be sure to request a monthly calendar of events and activities to stay up-to-date on the many things going on day-to-day at your community.
To make things feel like home, Life Plan Communities also almost always allow you to customize and personalize your residence, meaning you can change the paint, counter tops, cabinetry, appliances and more. You can spend more time relaxing and engaging in activities and events while your maintenance, cleaning, gardening and pet care needs are met by the dedicated community employees.
If it’s fine dining you’re after, you’ll be more than happy with the culinary offerings at Life Plan Communities. Casual, formal and on-the-go options make it easy to satisfy cravings and enjoy meals with friends and family alike. No matter where your taste buds lead, you’ll enjoy the inspired menus complete with health-conscious options to accommodate a wide range of dietary needs and preferences.
Not far from your front door, Life Plan Communities also offer a wide array of wellness services onsite, as well. There is something for everyone – you can try indulging in practical wellness services such as exercise equipment, personal training and luxurious pools and spas. For mental wellness, many communities also offer educational workshops and university-style lectures on a variety of topics to keep your mind sharp and your thirst for knowledge quenched. No matter how much, or how little, you want to do, a Life Plan Community offers the flexibility to plan each day on your terms.
2.     24/7 access to health care
When you move into a Life Plan Community, your agreement will include a plan for health care if and when you need it in the future. If you begin to need assistance at any point after becoming a resident of a Life Plan Community, you’ll easily be able to move to the care level that offers the best support for your needs within the community.
The individual plans that Life Plan Communities offer residents vary, though most offer a discount or number of covered days in the event that care is needed. Â These benefits factor in your current health status. One such example is Life Care, the most inclusive and predictable plan, or plans that have a limited healthcare benefit or fee for service arrangements. Most Life Plan Community residents are active and in good health when they join the community and can live independently. However, residents have peace of mind that their needs will be taken care of at a Life Plan Community should their health status change.
There are typically four different levels of care offered to residents:
- Assisted living: Individuals who can live semi-independently but could still benefit from some day-to-day assistance.
- Memory support: Individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
- Skilled nursing: Individuals with medical conditions that require moderate to total assistance with everyday life.
- Rehabilitation: Individuals recovering from injury, illness or hospitalization.
These levels of health care can shift with time. For example, if you suffer a fall and need short-term rehabilitation, you can return to your independent or assisted living residence once you have recovered.
3.     Individualized payment options
Many Life Plan Communities offer a variety of residency agreements or may customize agreements to fit your financial situation. That’s why it’s important to ask what’s available at the community you’re interested in, to get a better sense of your options. Generally, most have a one-time entrance fee that may be partially or fully refundable to you or your estate. Then a simple monthly service fee covers the rest. That monthly payment covers on-site dining options, amenities and activities, health care services and maintenance. These fees can vary depending on if it will be just you or you and a partner living in a residence and how many bedrooms and bathrooms you would like to have in your residence. Many people use any equity secured from the sale of their home to pay some or all of these fees.
Some rental communities may offer rental residency agreements. In this case, the monthly fee covers services and amenities. Paying on a month-to-month basis, you still have access to all of the resort-style amenities and services. However, such communities may not include the long-term health care benefit, meaning you may have to pay out of pocket should your health care needs change in the future.
Have more questions? Consult with the experts.
The experts at Sun Health Communities have answered these questions and more in our guide, 15 Questions About Retirement Planning. The guide is available to download to answer all of your questions, completely complimentary.
Sun Health Communities owns and operates three award-winning Life Plan Community locations, Grandview Terrace, La Loma Village and The Colonnade, as well as the Sun Health At Home program. Each community location provides exceptional independent living lifestyle, complete with resort-style amenities and dining options, as well as assured access to a full suite of health services. Sun Health At Home combines the benefits of traditional brick-and-mortar retirement living with a focus on helping members remain happy, healthy and independent in the homes they love. Learn more about the exceptional retirement living options offered by Sun Health Communities.
