Guide>What about a CCRC?>THE BAD!

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Some of the bad things about living at a CCRC.

Expensive

Living at a CCRC is EXPENSIVE so most people will be unable to afford it. For example, independent living at a CCRC for ten years for one person may cost from $500,000 to over a million dollars. If a couple becomes residents, the financial costs will be even greater. 

Some of the larger expenses:

• Entrance fee. A large entrance fee is usually required, which may range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Under some contracts, a portion of this fee is refundable when the resident leaves or dies; otherwise, the fee is not refundable. At some CCRCs, instead of an entrance fee, the resident buys the living unit.
  
  If you are like me, having to pay a monthly fee to live at a somewhere is not a problem. You are living there, you are receiving services, amenities, a meal plan, etc. You are getting what you are paying for. It's the entrance fee that's the problem.
  
  Giving the CCRC a huge chunk of money and not knowing whether you will live at the CCRC for 10 years or more or whether you may die in 2 years makes paying a nonrefundable entrance fee a gamble and a huge commitment. That money could be used for so many other things.
• Available cash. The entire entrance fee is usually due at contract signing. This means the applicant must have from $100,000 to $500,000 in available cash.
• Monthly fee. Residents also pay a monthly maintenance fee, which may range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. When moving into a CCRC, residents sign a contract that details the fees, what things the CCRC provides, and what things the resident must provide, such as renter’s insurance and health insurance.
• Yearly fee increases. The monthly fees are susceptible to annual increases and for most CCRCs, the fee will increase an average of 3% or higher EVERY year. The increase is not linked to inflation in the economy, it's just the way CCRCs operate. They all tend to increase the same amount each year, which allows marketing to say, "Our increase is on par with increases at competing CCRCs." Over time, these increases add up to a substantially larger fee than when you first entered the CCRC; therefore, this increased cost must be considered when considering a move to a CCRC.
• Extra living expenses. Residents must also consider extra living expenses not covered by the contract. These expenses include some utilities, cleaning, life or long-term care insurance, household goods, transportation, travel food for meals, etc.
• Vehicle costs. If the resident has a vehicle, its cost must also be considered. Vehicle costs, such as registration, insurance, fuel, and maintenance are a continuing cost.
• Estate may be drained. Since living in a CCRC is expensive and it is a lifetime commitment, depending on the length of stay and health needs, a resident’s entire estate may be drained, so there may be nothing left to pass down to children or grandchildren.

Having to leave the current home

Many people cherish their homes and neighborhood friends and do not want to leave them. Everyone has some routine in their lives that will change if they move to a CCRC. However, most people adapt and establish new routines and new routines.

Loss of independence

CCRCs provide several services people might have been doing for themselves. For some, this is experienced as a relief but for others, there is a sense of a loss of independence and a feeling of created dependency.

Paternalism is contrary to promoting resident self-determination and independence, but it may unconsciously permeate a CCRC environment. The primary reason many people move to a CCRC is the security of having their long-term care needs to be taken care of by the CCRC, but some industry representatives view this as a blanket authorization “to act in the best interest of the resident” with little consideration of the resident’s concerns, especially regarding health care decisions. Misunderstanding and conflict often arise when the level of care transfers are initiated by the CCRC.

Loss of privacy

CCRCs protect your private information and they respect your privacy, but that does not mean that everyone else does not know your business. Once you leave the front door of your residence, you are never alone; there is always someone around that sees you, and it won't be long before everyone knows you walked out of your front door, where you sent, and what you did. If there is someone you would prefer to avoid, it's next to impossible. It can be annoying at times. However, if you don't mind everyone knowing everything you do, then it’s not a problem.

Having to get rid of stuff

Depending on the type and size of the housing unit, storage may be limited. Extra storage space provided in the facility is generally small. This means you must downsize and get rid of lots of furniture and other household goods. To keep more possessions, you must live in a larger unit or rent commercial storage units, which will cost substantially more.

Surrounded by old people

CCRCs are composed of mostly senior citizens above the age of 75, but some can be 62. For people who want to be around younger generations, a CCRC may not be a good choice. However, if residents can drive, they will still be able to go places and do things with younger generations.

A major adjustment to living in a CCRC is living in a peer-aged community. All one’s neighbors are in the same relative age range. The only age diversity you get is from staff and visitors. Children are seldom present, but they are around when they are visiting great-grandparents, especially on holidays and special occasions. In a CCRC you not only have to face the fact that you are aging but, from seeing residents die daily, you must face your own mortality. In CCRCs, you are surrounded by and experience the vitality of seniors, their decline, and their eventual demise.

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