A continuing care community is the "one-stop shopping" of the retirement world -- a campus-like setting (or an urban high-rise) that offers a variety of rooms and apartments designed for independent living, assisted living, or skilled nursing care. The biggest benefit of continuing care retirement is that once your loved one moves in, she can remain, even if her health status changes. A continuing care community (also called life-care-community or CCRC) is also a good choice for couples where one spouse needs more care than the other.

Generally, a continuing care retirement community will expect an older adult to move in when he's still healthy enough to live independently. As residents age and their needs change, they can get a greater level of care without having to uproot themselves. They can also stay within the community and receive short-term nursing care if they need it after an illness or injury, then move back to their apartment once they recover. If a couple moves in, they'll be able to remain near each other, if not in the same apartment, even if one becomes ill and requires much more care than the other.

Meals, housekeeping, activities, and some medical care are usually included in the contract -- although this varies from one community to another, so be sure to check.

By: Caring.com Staff