As you begin researching senior living options, now is also an important time to review—or create if you haven’t already—two essential legal documents related to elder care and end-of-life planning: power of attorney forms and advance directives (sometimes called a living will). Below we explain the difference between these documents, why each matters, and practical … Read more

When you hear the word “doula,” many people first imagine someone who supports a woman during childbirth. In recent years, however, more families have sought out death doulas—also called end-of-life doulas or death midwives—to help guide them through another profound life transition: dying. Death doulas provide emotional, spiritual, and practical support to people nearing the … Read more

If you’ve ever visited a country where you don’t speak the language, you may have felt a bit like a senior living prospect. Beyond the many factors that go into choosing a community, prospects must also decode an industry full of specialized terms. That challenge is especially true for people considering life plan communities, historically … Read more

Salespeople and advertisers often get a bad reputation. Whether fair or not, a persistent stereotype follows people whose work involves selling everything from office supplies and pharmaceuticals to used cars. At the core of that stereotype are common consumer fears: being pushed into a decision they aren’t ready to make, or feeling deceived or taken … Read more

A lot of people ask about the average age of residents in a CCRC senior living community. For continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs, or life plan communities), the average age at move-in is generally in the early 80s. That figure is an average: newer communities tend to show a younger move-in age, while older communities … Read more

At myLifeSite we hear regularly from thousands of readers who are researching continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also known as life plan communities. Those conversations help shape our content, highlighting the questions and concerns people commonly face. One of the most frequent topics is understanding the different types of CCRC contracts. Below is a clear, … Read more

If you follow this blog, you know I usually write about senior living and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs or life plan communities). Choosing a retirement community is a major financial decision, so this week I’ll address a related topic that often causes confusion: annuities. Before founding myLifeSite, I spent 14 years as a financial … Read more

Although most people who choose continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) say they are pleased with their decision, many delay the move because they feel they are “not ready yet.” Moving to a CCRC is a significant choice and deserves thoughtful planning. But waiting too long can close doors. Many CCRCs require that new residents be … Read more

Dementia is not a single disease but a general term for a decline in cognitive abilities—such as memory, language, attention, and reasoning—that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, accounting for roughly 70% of cases, but other types exist as well, including vascular dementia, which can follow … Read more

We recently received an email from a myLifeSite user that caught my attention—not because it was unique, but because it reflects a trend we’re hearing across the country: “We have been on a [continuing care retirement community (CCRC)] waitlist for almost 5 years at our #1 choice after being told during our sign-up visit during … Read more