Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) are usually groupings of independent housing units, such as cottages or apartments, that offer a variety of services. Generally part of a larger nursing home complex, residents can move to a more dependent living arrangement, such as a skilled care unit, should the need arise.

Ranges of Services

Depending on the character, size, and cost of each community, a different range of services is offered. For instance, in some communities cottage owners may prepare their own meals and do their own laundry, or they may choose to eat the meals provided by the community and have their laundry done by community staff persons. Other services may include interior and exterior maintenance, housekeeping, transportation, and recreational activities.

Costs

There are a variety of contractual arrangements and financial costs. Normally, residents pay an entrance (founder's) fee, as well as a monthly charge in return for all services offered. Some arrangements between residents and the provider may state that medical and nursing care will be made available to a resident without any increase in the monthly charge. Other facilities charge a fee for service which is dependent on the amount of care a resident requires.

Insurance Licensing

Continuing care retirement communities are licensed by the Pennsylvania Insurance Commission, which monitors facilities' financial soundness. Some retirement communities are not licensed by the Pennsylvania Insurance Commission, but have very similar contractual arrangements as licensed continuing care retirement communities.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health licenses the personal care home component and, if provided, the older adult daily living center (adult day care) sections of these communities to ensure quality of care.

Retirement Communities List

If you are interested in retirement communities, please take a look at our Continuing Care Retirement Community list (PDF). Although every effort has been made by the Office of Aging to provide sufficient information on the different CCRCs in Lancaster County, this list is not intended to be exhaustive or all-inclusive. The list will be revised periodically and updated accordingly. Similarly, this list is not meant to be evaluative. Inclusion of a CCRC on this list does not imply endorsement of that CCRC by the Lancaster County Office of Aging.