Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also called life plan communities, frequently require an entry fee that secures lifetime housing and priority access to healthcare services. Often a significant portion of that entry fee is refundable to the resident if they move out, or to the resident’s heirs after death. Prospective residents commonly ask whether a … Read more

Many people associate Medicare primarily with hospital stays (Part A) and physician services (Part B), but it also influences decisions about senior living. When I speak with groups considering retirement communities—especially continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs)—I’m frequently asked how Medicare affects those choices. I will address Medicare’s role in choosing a retirement community in a … Read more

Many new senior living residents use equity from the sale of a home to cover most or all of their move into senior living. But some people no longer own a home or sold their house earlier when downsizing to an apartment, and now must consider other ways to fund the move. This choice is … Read more

Research consistently finds that most older adults prefer to “age at home.” Still, many choose a retirement community—such as a CCRC (continuing care retirement community, also called a life plan community)—because it better aligns with their long-term goals and offers peace of mind. One of the strongest reasons people move to a CCRC is access … Read more

  Thanks to review sites and consumer advocacy organizations, it’s easier than ever to learn which businesses keep their promises and which fall short. Fewer people, however, know about a government-supported resource that helps evaluate senior living providers in your area: the long-term care ombudsman program. Support for senior living residents’ rights Long-term care ombudsmen … Read more

As we’ve written previously, residents of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs or “life plan communities”) may be eligible to deduct a portion of their monthly fee — and in some cases a non‑refundable portion of the entry fee in the first year — on their federal income tax return. That deduction falls under Section 213 … Read more

A defining benefit of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also called a life plan community, is the on-site continuum of care available if a resident’s needs change. That on-site care—whether assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing—helps couples remain near one another and maintain community connections while one partner receives higher-level services. We produced … Read more

Before founding myLifeSite, I spent nearly 14 years in financial planning, helping many older adults manage retirement and long-term care finances. During that time I repeatedly saw how challenging senior living decisions can be—especially when evaluating continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also known as life plan communities. The contracts, fee structures, and future health-care costs … Read more

As we age, the years often seem to pass more quickly. The holidays offer a chance to pause, reflect on priorities, and recommit to what truly matters—whatever that may be for you. As Benjamin Franklin observed, “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.” 2023’s top … Read more

We all make countless decisions every day. Some are small and routine, like choosing breakfast, while others carry greater consequences, such as selecting a career, choosing a life partner, or deciding where to spend retirement. Every decision involves weighing risks and rewards, drawing on past experience, confronting biases, and sometimes trusting gut feelings. Some choices … Read more