In last week’s blog post, “’…but I love my home’: Is Staying in Your House the Right Move?”, I explored why most people age 65 and older—about 80 to 90 percent—prefer to remain in their current homes as they grow older. Many cite cost savings, familiar neighbors and local businesses, a sense of independence, and the desire to avoid the upheaval of moving. Those are legitimate reasons and can be true for many individuals.
Still, each of these advantages has a counterpoint when you examine the realities of aging in place. Home health care can become expensive quickly if it’s needed. Neighbors move away and favorite shops or restaurants can close. Independence can shift into loneliness. And even if you don’t want to tackle the work of packing and relocating, eventually someone will need to sort through and move your belongings.
While weighing pros and cons is important when deciding where to live in later life, one of the most crucial factors is where you’ll be happiest. For some, moving to a retirement community—such as a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), sometimes called a life plan community—isn’t appealing for financial or emotional reasons. Others might like the idea but aren’t ready to move. Continuing care at home (CCaH) can bridge that gap.
The care you need, the comforts of home
Often described as “a CCRC without walls,” the CCaH model combines the comfort of remaining in your own home with the reassurance and services typically offered on-site at a continuing care retirement community. Under this approach, caregivers—such as aides, nurses, and therapists—from a CCRC come to the senior’s residence, extending the community’s services beyond its physical campus.
CCaH programs generally require a one-time entrance fee—commonly between $20,000 and $70,000—and a monthly care service fee, often in the range of $250 to $800. Structurally, these agreements resemble traditional CCRC lifecare contracts.
As a CCaH member, a range of services is typically guaranteed when needed and delivered at home. For many people who own their homes outright, CCaH can be less costly than relocating to a CCRC campus.
One notable distinction is that CCaH programs often require a stricter health screening than moving onto a CCRC campus. Applicants usually must be living independently, be in reasonably good health, and show no evidence of cognitive decline. These criteria help keep the program financially sustainable while supporting the goal of prolonging independent living.
The best of both worlds
Typical services included in a continuing care at home contract may include:
- Annual physicals and wellness programs
- Transportation
- Care coordination
- Home safety inspections
- Companion or live-in care
- Home care and home health services
- Rehabilitative care and physical therapy
- An emergency response system
- Adult day care
- Meal delivery or meal services
- Access to assisted living and nursing care if needed
Many CCaH agreements also allow members to use on-site activities and amenities at the sponsoring CCRC—continuing education classes, outings, fitness centers, or the swimming pool—helping members stay socially engaged. Some communities also offer limited amenity access to people who have placed a deposit to live there, but those arrangements typically don’t include the full care services of a CCaH contract.
As CCaH grows in popularity, communities are introducing flexible features to attract more members. Examples include spreading the entrance fee over several years or offering care packages with daily or lifetime cost limits, which can make monthly fees easier to manage for people with different budgets.
An appealing solution
Continuing care at home addresses many concerns of those who want to stay in their homes:
- CCaH is often more economical than moving to a CCRC campus.
- It provides social opportunities and access to fitness and activities that help prevent isolation.
- Members can remain as independent as possible while receiving necessary care at home.
- When higher levels of care become necessary, CCaH may allow seniors to remain in place if needs can be met at home.
Flexibility is a major strength of the CCaH model. Communities continue to adapt payment options and customizable packages to suit a range of financial situations and care needs.
If you’re among the 80 to 90 percent of people over 65 who prefer to remain in their current home, continuing care at home can offer a balanced solution—combining affordability, peace of mind, and on-demand assistance—so you can stay in the home you love.