There is a lot of terminology in the senior living field, and it can be confusing for people researching their options. While the industry has begun replacing the term “continuing care retirement community” with “life plan community,” this change has added another label to an already complex vocabulary. Because “life plan” sounds similar to “lifecare,” … Read more

Change often takes time, sometimes a great deal of it. Yet major events can shift priorities and accelerate transformation. The COVID-19 pandemic was one such turning point for the senior living sector, and it has helped highlight and hasten several design trends shaping how communities are planned and built. Below are key design developments influencing … Read more

A few weeks ago we published a post discussing whether it makes sense to withdraw funds from an individual retirement account (IRA) to cover the entry fee at a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also called a life plan community. That article showed that taking money from an IRA to pay a large entry fee … Read more

A continuing care retirement community (also known as a life plan community or CCRC) is a distinct type of 55+ community that combines independent living residences with a full continuum of on-site care services should residents ever need them. If you’re considering a CCRC, it helps to know which qualities separate the best life plan … Read more

Researchers in Norway recently published a study investigating how physical activity and sedentary behavior relate to the risk of premature death. The team pooled data from eight prior studies conducted in Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, encompassing 36,383 participants aged 40 and older (mean age 62.6). These participants were followed for … Read more

The holiday season brings family together — a time for celebration, connection and sometimes difficult conversations. Among topics like politics or relationships, one important discussion to have is about senior living plans. Talking with adult children about where and how you want to live as you age can prevent future stress and ensure your wishes … Read more

“I’m not ready yet.” That phrase is commonly heard from people considering 55-plus communities. It can be spoken at a kitchen table with adult children, in a quiet conversation with a partner, or directly to staff at independent living and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs or life plan communities). This article is not intended to … Read more

Planning for long-term care costs is one of the most difficult financial challenges many families face. Whether you need in-home caregivers or must move to an assisted living or skilled nursing facility, expenses can grow quickly, leaving older adults and their families searching for funding options. For homeowners, a frequently overlooked choice is a reverse … Read more

Taking on the role of an unpaid family caregiver is challenging under any circumstances, and caring for someone with dementia brings additional, unique difficulties. Beyond the common caregiver stress and burnout, dementia caregiving involves unpredictability, serious safety concerns, behavioral changes, and the emotional burden of watching a loved one decline over time. The progressive nature … Read more

Advertising for senior living often shows smiling, silver-haired couples walking hand-in-hand on the beach or relaxing together at home. Those images present an appealing vision of aging, but they don’t reflect the reality for many older adults. A significant portion of today’s seniors will grow older without a spouse or children to rely on. About … Read more