As 2020 comes to a close, many of us are glad to put the year behind us and look forward to 2021. Before we move on, here’s a look back at the five myLifeSite senior living blog posts from 2020 that gathered the most attention.
#5: 4 Ways to Know You’re Ready to Consider a CCRC Move
Decisions like marriage, buying a house, starting a family, and retiring often don’t happen when conditions feel perfectly right. The same is true for moving to a retirement community, such as a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also called a life plan community.
Many seniors delay a move for understandable reasons, including:
- Not feeling old enough
- Worries about long-term affordability
- Reluctance to downsize and sort through decades of belongings
While those concerns are valid, waiting for a perfect moment can mean missing out on benefits that come with making a move sooner. If you’ve been considering a CCRC but aren’t sure if it’s the right time, this post outlines four signs that it may be time to start exploring CCRC options.
#4: The Great Debate: Rental or Entry Fee Retirement Community?
Rental retirement communities—often described as independent living or “independent plus”—have become increasingly common, and many people prefer not to pay a large buy-in. Comparing rental communities to entry-fee life plan communities (CCRCs) involves many factors, but one of the most important is financial: is renting truly less expensive than an entry-fee community?
The short answer is: it depends. The financial implications vary based on individual circumstances, contract types, anticipated care needs, market conditions, and how long you expect to remain in the community. This post examines those considerations to help you weigh which option may be the better fit for your situation.
#3: Is Aging in Place the Better Option After the COVID-19 Pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted vulnerabilities in settings like nursing homes, prompting many to question whether living alone at home—“aging in place”—is safer than moving into a senior living community. Concerns about exposure in multi-unit independent or assisted living environments are understandable.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. This post weighs the pros and cons of aging in place versus choosing a CCRC or other senior living community, considering health risks, access to care, social interaction, and practical supports that contribute to quality of life.
#2: 5 Important Factors for Choosing a Retirement Location
When it comes to real estate, the adage “location, location, location” still matters—and it’s equally true when choosing where to spend your retirement. Whether you dream of living by the beach, in the mountains, in a city, or staying in your current home, the location you choose affects lifestyle, access to services, and long-term wellbeing.
This post outlines five key factors to consider when choosing a retirement location, including climate preferences, proximity to family and healthcare, cost of living, community amenities, and transportation options, to help you make an informed decision.
And the most-read blog post we wrote in 2020 was….
#1: How CCRCs Are Addressing the Spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Understandably, many people worried about COVID-19’s impact on nursing homes and other long-term care settings. At the same time, the senior living industry has long-established infection control practices and is generally well prepared to manage outbreaks.
Most senior living providers follow strict protocols to prevent and contain illness, whether it’s influenza, norovirus, or a novel virus like COVID-19. Effective responses typically build on existing prevention measures—enhanced screening, visitor policies, staff training, sanitation, and rapid isolation when needed. This post explains how CCRCs and similar communities have been working to protect residents and limit the spread of the virus.
Senior living blog posts you can use!
myLifeSite publishes new blog articles weekly on topics that matter to older adults and their families. Visit our main blog page to see recent posts, sign up for new post notifications, or search past articles for helpful information. If you’re researching CCRCs, try our online community search tool to compare options and learn more about available communities.
We hope your holiday season was peaceful and restorative. The myLifeSite team wishes you and your loved ones a happy, healthy 2021!