Within the next decade, children in the U.S. will be outnumbered by elderly Americans, according to U.S. Census Bureau projections. The population of seniors—people age 65 and older—is expected to roughly double by 2030. This dramatic demographic shift will create a pressing challenge: how to care for a rapidly growing number of older adults. When … Read more

Many continuing care retirement communities (commonly called CCRCs or life plan communities) require an entry fee when a resident joins. These entry fees are often refundable, either to the resident or to their heirs, depending on the contract. Under a traditional CCRC agreement, the entry fee refund typically declines over the first few years of … Read more

In fiscal year 2020, 76.5 million Americans were enrolled in Medicaid, including about 6.4 million seniors. Medicaid is the nation’s largest payer for long-term care, in part because care costs are high — average annual costs run roughly $51,600 for assisted living and about $93,000 for a semi-private nursing home room according to industry data. … Read more

Deciding whether to move into a senior living community often involves more than finding the right home. Emotional, practical, and financial concerns weigh heavily for many older adults and their families. A common question surfaces: “I know I qualify financially for this community, but what does that really look like? How might my estate be … Read more

As the senior living sector evolves, much of the discussion has centered on two visible trends: older adults choosing to remain in their own homes (aging in place) and the rise of active adult communities that appeal to younger retirees. A quieter but potentially disruptive shift is also underway across the country: the growing adoption … Read more

After a recent talk at a retirement community, a guest approached me and said he wants to move to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) but feels overwhelmed by the prospect of downsizing. He described owning more than 10 acres, several animals, and a large house, and asked, “How do I go from that to … Read more

If you’ve shopped for groceries recently, you may have noticed higher prices. USDA forecasts show grocery costs are expected to rise about 3 percent this year. Beef leads the increase, projected to be up roughly 8 percent compared with 2019, while pork is up about 4.5 percent and poultry around 3 percent. Such increases are … Read more

When deciding whether to move to a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also known as a life plan community, there are many factors to weigh. Financial details and contract terms matter greatly, but another consideration—one you won’t find in a brochure—can be just as important: your day-to-day happiness living there. Happiness applies to anyone choosing … Read more

According to the latest CDC statistics, nearly 2.1 million Americans live in the nation’s approximately 46,200 long-term care facilities. That total includes about 30,600 assisted living communities housing roughly 820,000 residents and 15,600 skilled nursing facilities (often called nursing homes) with about 1.3 million residents. Many of these individuals are among the most vulnerable in … Read more

You’ve likely heard the tragic story of the LifeCare Center nursing home in Kirkland, Washington, an early epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in that state. At least 35 residents and staff from that long-term care community died after contracting the virus. What went wrong Senior living communities are generally prepared to confront contagious illnesses such … Read more