Whether due to illness, surgery, or injury, a hospital stay can be a turning point for older adults and their families. While the immediate focus is often on treatment and recovery in the hospital, what happens after hospital discharge is equally important. Research shows that nearly one in five Medicare patients are readmitted within 30 … Read more

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), also known as Life Plan Communities, appeal to older adults who are currently healthy but want a residence that can provide assisted living or higher levels of care if needed later. The primary advantage is a single, long-term home: ideally, residents do not need to move again when their care … Read more

If you reviewed President Trump’s proposed tax plan, a few things likely stood out. First, its brevity. The current federal tax code stretches across tens of thousands of pages; the proposal presented was striking in its conciseness, totaling roughly one page. Certain elements of the plan drew broad support, such as eliminating the estate tax … Read more

I recently read an article about several Pennsylvania retirement communities — including continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also known as life plan communities — that have begun opening their dining rooms to the public. While non-resident diners are embracing these new restaurant options, the open-door policy also brings clear advantages to the communities and their … Read more

Over the past several months, I’ve shared ideas about how continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs or life plan communities) might evolve. I’ve discussed community design trends, technology advances, and the growing emphasis on environmental sustainability. Now I want to turn the focus to the people who matter most: you. As a lead-in to our next … Read more

Deciding where to live in retirement requires weighing several factors: staying in a long-time home, downsizing, moving closer to family, or lowering housing costs. For many older adults, moving to a retirement community offers an appealing combination of comfort, convenience, and connection that supports a full and active life. A low- or no-maintenance lifestyle One … Read more

News about the coronavirus (COVID-19) can be alarming, with daily reports of rising case counts and tragic losses. Nursing homes and other senior living communities often make headlines when residents or staff test positive. While that is deeply concerning, it’s important to remember that many communities have strict infection-control protocols for contagious illnesses like the … Read more

For anyone who has spent time in a hospital for an illness, injury, or other health issue, discharge usually signals progress—the acute phase has passed and it’s time to continue recovery elsewhere. However, in today’s managed-care environment, discharge decisions often reflect insurance limits and cost concerns, which can lead to patients leaving the hospital earlier … Read more

Early acceptance isn’t just for college anymore. Increasingly, 55-plus retirement communities—especially continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also known as life plan communities—offer wait-listed applicants access to campus amenities and, in some cases, health-related services while they remain in their current homes. These early acceptance programs let future residents enjoy community life and secure future care … Read more

Some journeys are chosen, and others are given to us. For many, caring for a loved one with a degenerative condition such as Alzheimer’s disease becomes an unexpected lifelong path. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, and its effects ripple outward to touch not only those diagnosed but the family and friends who … Read more