Our 2019 myLifeSite Consumer Survey revealed several insightful findings about people considering continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also known as life plan communities. One particularly revealing question asked respondents why they were delaying a move to a CCRC.
Survey participants were given a list of eight potential reasons and asked to select up to three that best represented their feelings. Several predictable concerns appeared among the top responses: 34 percent cited the hassle of downsizing and moving, and 42 percent worried about the long-term affordability of life in a CCRC.
The most common response, chosen by more than 46 percent of respondents, was: “I don’t feel like I’m old enough for a retirement community.”
It helps to consider age distribution when interpreting this result. Among those 80 and under, 47 percent said they didn’t feel old enough for a CCRC. Among respondents age 81 and older, that reason was selected by 19 percent.
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Choosing the right time
For many older adults who still live independently but want the reassurance of available healthcare services later on, a CCRC is an attractive option. These communities combine independent living with on-site assisted living and skilled nursing care, so residents can transition to higher levels of support as needs change. Despite these flexible care options, many people—even those in their 80s—still feel they aren’t “old enough” to move.
That raises the question: When is the right time to move to a CCRC? What is the ideal age?
There is no single answer. People age differently, and lifestyle, health, and personal preferences all influence timing. The average age of new CCRC residents tends to fall in the late 70s to early 80s, but averages mask wide variation. Some move earlier, others later, based on their circumstances.
While it’s understandable not to want to move prematurely, waiting too long can mean missing many of the benefits that draw people to CCRCs in the first place.
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The advantages of making your move
If a CCRC seems like a good fit but you feel you’re not yet old enough, consider these five reasons to plan a move sooner rather than later:
- Involvement: CCRCs offer wide-ranging activities, amenities, and services both on-site and through programs that connect residents with the wider community—intergenerational events, volunteer opportunities, continuing education, and more. Moving earlier gives you more time to participate and enjoy these offerings.
- Wellness: Many CCRCs emphasize prevention and healthy living, providing fitness centers, classes like low-impact aerobics and yoga, wellness coaching, aquatic facilities, and tailored meal plans. Increasingly, communities focus on whole-person wellness—physical, mental, social, and spiritual—which supports independence and quality of life.
- Relationships: Residents frequently cite friendships as one of the greatest benefits of community living. Building a strong social network can provide emotional support and practical help as health needs change. Moving earlier increases the time available to form those meaningful connections.
- Qualifying: Most CCRCs require new move-ins to be able to live independently and often include a health evaluation during the application process. Waiting until health declines can make it harder to meet entry requirements and may prevent access to the full continuum of care a community offers.
- Smoother transition: Relocating tends to be easier when you are relatively younger, fit, and able-bodied. Moving later, when frailty or cognitive decline may be present, raises the risk of relocation stress syndrome—symptoms such as anxiety, confusion, and isolation that can accompany major transitions.
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Timing is everything
There are many factors to weigh when deciding the right time to move to a CCRC. In general, once you determine a CCRC suits your needs and preferences, it’s smart to make the move while you remain in good health and have the physical and emotional energy to manage the transition and enjoy the community’s benefits.