What Is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)?
What We'll Cover
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) can be a great option for long-term care. But what exactly makes CCRCs so special? This article explores what continuing care retirement communities are and why they're so different from other types of long-term care.
You’ve likely heard about various long-term care options. Home care is the most widely popular long-term care type, and others are usually familiar with options such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities. But what about a continuing care retirement community (CCRC)?
These communities are gaining traction in the world of long-term care as a unique alternative way to age in place. They’re a niche form of care compared to those above, but there are advantages to the CCRC model for many people.
Continuing care retirement communities offer multiple levels of long-term care living within the same community. This allows residents to remain living in the same environment regardless of their care needs.
This article will explain what CCRCs are, what makes them different from other types of long-term care, and a few reasons they may be the right choice for you or your loved one.
If you already know a continuing care retirement community is right for you or your loved one, you can use LTC News’s Long-Term Care Directory to search for CCRCs near you. This directory collects information from long-term care facilities all around the U.S. so you can compare and contrast the best options in your area.
What Is a Continuing Care Retirement Community?
A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) is a flexible approach to senior living. These communities offer a continuum of care for residents as their long-term care needs change over time. But what exactly does that look like?
There are several housing and long-term care options within a continuing care retirement community. These options include independent living, in which only a residence is required, not care. Other options include assisted living and skilled nursing care. However, some communities may also offer memory care sections.
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Independent living includes apartments, townhomes, or small houses where residents live independently with easy access to amenities and social gatherings.
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Assisted living is for individuals who need help with activities of daily living but not to the level of a nursing home. The most common option for assisted living is in a single or shared apartment.
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Skilled nursing is for individuals who need significant help with activities and skilled care. Individuals in skilled nursing sections may need round-the-clock care and medical attention.
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Memory care is for those with Alzheimer's or dementia. These sections offer extra supervision, security, and specialized staff to keep residents safe.
Residents are free to move from one level of care to the next as their long-term care needs change.
For example, an individual may enter the CCRC in the independent living section. After some time goes by, they may start to need help with activities of daily living. As a result, they may move to the assisted living section of the community to get the care they need.
Since all types of care exist on the same campus, residents can seamlessly move from one to another as their needs change. This integrated care approach takes the pressure off of individuals to find new types of care as their needs change. It allows individuals to live stress-free within the same community as they age.
What Services and Amenities Do Continuing Care Retirement Communities Offer?
Continuing care retirement communities offer comprehensive long-term care options for their residents. Here are some key services commonly found in CCRCs:
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Flexible living choices: Residents can choose between independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and sometimes memory care units. This flexibility lets residents live independently or with as much help as their care needs call for.
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Help with activities of daily living (ADLs): Help with daily activities of living, such as continence, eating, dressing, toileting, and more, is an essential aspect of long-term care. Residents have access to staff to help with these needs at any time.
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Meal services and access to restaurants: For those living within the assisted living or skilled nursing sections, the community will offer meal services. Some independent living sections may also offer meal services for those who wish to opt in.
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Transportation services: CCRCs offer transportation services to help residents move around the community as well as leave for medical appointments.
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24/7 safety and security: Safety and security are a huge focus for CCRCs. These communities have 24/7 security personnel, emergency response systems, and advanced safety equipment to ensure residents' well-being and peace of mind. Many CCRCs are also gated communities, which helps control who enters and leaves.
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Maintenance-free lifestyle: Staff at CCRCs take care of housekeeping and maintenance issues for most residents. The only exception would be those in the independent living section who may prefer to take care of household chores on their own.
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Medical services: CCRCs offer skilled care and medical care within their skilled nursing sections. Some communities may also have physical or occupational therapists, dentists, or pharmacists on-site to help streamline access to care.
Beyond long-term care services, continuing care retirement communities want all of their residents to enjoy a high quality of living. For this reason, they offer a wealth of amenities and activities designed to enrich residents' lives:
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Fitness centers and classes: Many continuing care retirement communities have fitness centers where they host exercise classes, like yoga. Some may also have pools for relaxation. These wellness areas promote physical health and improve mobility.
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Arts center and activities: Residents can participate in a variety of creative pursuits, including art classes, crafts workshops, and cultural events, fostering self-expression, relaxation, and social connection.
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Community and entertainment area: Games, movie nights, and themed events are a popular pastime for many seniors. CCRCs organize games, puzzles, and recreational activities to stimulate cognitive function, encourage social interaction, and provide entertainment for residents.
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Community Outings: Regular group outings to local attractions, parks, theaters, and restaurants enable residents to explore their surroundings, connect with nature, and enjoy cultural experiences.
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Barber and beauty salon: Who doesn't want to look fresh? Many CCRCs have barbers and beauty salons within the community so that residents can keep their appearances sharp.
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Retail and coffee shops: Some continuing care retirement communities have small coffee or retail shops where residents are free to shop and hang out.
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Garden or nature trails: Connecting with nature is essential for physical and mental well-being. Some CCRCs have community gardens for residents to take care of and trails to explore.
CCRCs are dynamic living environments that prioritize residents' comfort, safety, and engagement.
How Much Do Continuing Care Retirement Communities Cost?
The cost of a continuing care retirement community can vary significantly depending on the location, type of residence, amenities, contract and level of care. Many CCRCs charge an upfront entrance fee along with ongoing monthly fees, while others operate primarily under a rental model.
Recent data from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) show that entrance fees have been rising. Among CCRCs tracked by NIC, the average entrance fee increased from about $400,000 in 2020 to more than $480,000 in 2025, an increase of 22.3 percent over five years.
Monthly costs are also increasing. In the third quarter of 2025, the average monthly asking rent for independent living within entrance-fee CCRCs was $4,325, up 4.5 percent from a year earlier. Costs increase substantially when residents require higher levels of care, such as assisted living, memory care or nursing care.
These figures are useful benchmarks, but they should not be treated as a quote for a specific community. CCRC pricing varies widely based on location, residence size, services, amenities and the type of contract. Entrance fees may also differ depending on whether some portion of the fee is refundable.
Families considering a CCRC should ask for a complete fee schedule and review how monthly charges and care costs can change over time. A contract may establish how fees are calculated, but that does not mean costs remain fixed. Monthly fees and care charges can increase, making future increases an important part of evaluating long-term affordability.
Because CCRC contracts can involve substantial financial commitments and different obligations for future care, consider having an attorney or financial professional familiar with senior living contracts review the agreement before signing.
What Are The Pros and Cons of Continuing Care Retirement Communities?
Continuing care retirement communities offer unique benefits compared to other types of long-term care settings. However, these pros come with some drawbacks that may be hard for some people to ignore.
Pro – A Wide Variety of Choices
Continuing care retirement communities offer several living arrangements for their residents, including small homes, townhomes, apartments, and more.
Residents are free to move between these arrangements as their needs change. Those living in independent living sections may also have a choice of moving between a small home or an apartment.
In addition to housing choices, residents have endless recreational choices throughout their days. With amenities like gardens, fitness centers, salons, and cafes for residents to explore, it's almost impossible to have a dull day within a CCRC.
The best part is that, even with all of these options, residents are still within the same environment. There's no need to leave the community or make transportation arrangements just to get some fresh air or shopping done.
Con – CCRCs Are an Expensive Financial Commitment
Continuing care retirement communities can be incredibly expensive. These communities are for individuals who have planned their retirement and have the savings or income to afford the upfront and continuous fees.
Even individuals who plan with Long-Term Care Insurance are still not completely in luck. Long-Term Care Insurance may cover care received in a CCRC, but it does not cover any entrance fees. This acts as a huge barrier to entry for individuals who would've otherwise considered CCRCs as a care option.
Pro – Easy Access to Flexible Care
Continuing care retirement communities provide a seamless continuum of care to all their residents. This flexibility isn't found in any other type of facility or even through in-home care.
As resident's care needs change, they can move throughout the community to find a living arrangement that works best for them. Residents with spouses can also move to different sections of the community without worrying about being extremely separated because of their long-term care needs.
In the event of an emergency or need for medical care, residents will have swift access to on-site medical personnel who are ready to help individuals make a quick recovery and continue life as before.
Con – High Demand and Health Requirements
Many continuing care retirement communities are in high demand, and the services offered within them may even have waiting lists.
CCRC contracts determine what priority level each individual has within the community. Some contracts do not guarantee priority access to different levels of care.
In addition, some CCRCs may have requirements for individuals to meet before they can move into the community. These prerequisites can vary greatly depending on the community.
Pro – A Supportive Social Environment
It's no secret that our interpersonal relationships are a key part of our health. CCRCs provide the perfect community for residents to get to know each other on a deeper level and make lasting connections.
Between amenities, social activities, and living in the same community together, there are countless options for residents to get involved regardless of their care situation.
Residents receiving intensive skilled care are in close proximity to those with less care needs, and since everyone lives in the CCRC, there's no concern of having to leave or move when care needs change.
This creates a safe, permanent sense of belonging and community that may foster more connection and opportunity than other long-term care settings.
Con – CCRCs Require Extensive Planning
Entering a continuing care retirement community can feel more similar to buying a new house than simply entering a care facility.
CCRCs have complicated contracts. These contracts require the help of experts to decipher and negotiate. Entrance fees can also tie up money that may have otherwise resided in savings or assets.
The decision to move into a CCRC carries significant weight, which may make individuals hesitant before jumping right in.
State Regulation of CCRCs
An important thing to note is that regulatory standards for CCRCs vary by state and aren’t federally standardized. As of writing this, there are no federally mandated regulatory standards for CCRC.
To that end, here are some areas you should be asking about when you work with a CCRC:
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What regulations are in place on a statewide level?
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Is there a minimum level of financial reserve required for the CCRC?
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For higher levels of care (assisted living, nursing home, etc.), are there mandated care services at these facilities?
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Are there refunds for unused care expenditures if the resident leaves or dies prematurely?
You can read more about your state’s regulations at the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care website.
CCRC Contracts and Long-Term Care Insurance
Continuing care retirement communities may offer several types of residency contracts. The terms, costs and services included can vary significantly from one community to another.
Three commonly recognized arrangements are:
- Type A, or Life Care: Generally provides the most comprehensive coverage for future care. Residents typically pay a larger entrance fee and ongoing monthly fees in exchange for access to higher levels of care with relatively predictable costs, although regular fee increases may still occur.
- Type B, or Modified: Includes a limited amount of future assisted living, nursing care or other health-related services. Once those benefits are exhausted, residents generally pay additional charges for care.
- Type C, or Fee-for-Service: Typically has lower upfront costs than a Life Care contract, but residents pay separately for assisted living, nursing care and other higher levels of care as they use them.
Some communities also offer rental, equity or other contract arrangements. Contract terminology and provisions can vary by community and state.
Long-Term Care Insurance is separate from the CCRC contract itself. Depending on the policy and the CCRC arrangement, Long-Term Care Insurance benefits may help pay for qualifying long-term care services received within the community. However, owning Long-Term Care Insurance does not automatically determine which CCRC contract a resident receives or how the community structures its charges.
Consumers should carefully review both the CCRC contract and their Long-Term Care Insurance policy to understand which services are included, which expenses may be reimbursable by insurance and what costs they could be responsible for as their care needs change.
An Overview of Continuing Care Retirement Communities
CCRCs provide a safe and familiar environment for seniors to age. They have options for independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care.
Regardless of their changing care needs, residents have the peace of mind that they'll remain within the same community with easy access to any care they could need.
While the price tag and commitment may make some people cautious, others see the social, safety, and long-term care benefits as unmatched by any other type of care facility.
If you found this article helpful, check out some of our other resources on LTC News.
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Find Long-Term Care Near You – LTC News’s Long-Term Care Directory can help you find a CCRC near you or your loved one.
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How To Pay For Long-Term Care – This article explores different options to cover long-term care costs.
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Who Needs Long-Term Care? – This article explains how you can tell when you or a loved one needs long-term care. This can be harder to decipher than one might think.