Guide>Thinking about retirement>HEALTHCARE

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Some available healthcare options.

Primary care

Primary medical care is for those who live independently; you use the primary care physician of your choice. For those who live in a CCRC, some CCRs maintain an onsite medical clinic that may be staffed by a staff physician and nurses or visiting ones. You may select the CCRC physician as your primary care physician, keep your current primary care physician, or select a primary care physician from outside the CCRC. 

Primary medical care costs must be paid by the person receiving the care, by another person, or by insurance.

Home care

Home care is needed when a person needs personalized, specialized care and assistance with daily activities in their home, or they need access to care elsewhere. Participants may also need respite, hospice, counseling, and other services. The care and services are delivered by a variety of personnel, such as health professionals, support staff, educators, drivers, and volunteers. Some CCRC may offer home care as a part of their services or as a part of their CCaH program. 

Home care costs must be paid by the person receiving the care, by another person, or by insurance. 

Rehabilitation care

Rehabilitation care is needed when a person needs to improve his or her quality of life and gain greater independence after illness, injury, or surgery. Rehabilitation does not reverse or undo the damage caused by disease or injury, but rather helps restore the individual to optimal health, functioning, and well-being by helping the person improve, maintain, or restore his or her physical strength, cognition, and mobility so the person may achieve the highest level of function, independence, and quality of life possible. Rehabilitation may take place at a person’s home, at a specialized rehabilitation center, as part of an assisted living or mental care facility, or as a part of the services offered by a CCRC or CCaH program.

Rehabilitation care costs must be paid by the person receiving the care, by another person, or by insurance. Some CCRCs may offer a certain number of days of free rehabilitation care.

Assisted living care

Assisted living care is needed when a person does not require acute medical care but requires assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs) and/or instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). 

The ADLs are: 

  • Bathing: personal hygiene and grooming.
  • Dressing: dressing and undressing.
  • Transferring: movement and mobility.
  • Toileting: continence-related tasks including control and hygiene
  • Eating: preparing food and feeding.
The IDLs are: 

  • Managing finances.
  • Handling transportation (driving or navigating public transit).
  • Shopping.
  • Preparing meals.
  • Using the telephone and other communication devices.
  • Managing medications.
  • Housework and basic home maintenance that are essential to independent living.
Assisted living residents have private or semi-private living areas with the comfort of their using their own furnishings. Their monthly maintenance fee includes meals, housekeeping, and planned social and recreational activities. With the blend of supportive services and 24-hour staffing, residents can maintain their freedom. Assisted living may be needed on a temporary or long-term basis. The average stay in assisted living is about two years. Assisted living facilities may be freestanding or offered as a part of the care at a CCRC. 

Assisted living costs must be paid by the person receiving the care, by another person, or by insurance. If your CCRC contract is a Type A Life Care Plan, the CCRC pays for extra care. If your CCRC contract is a Type B Modified plan, the CCRC discounts the cost of the extra care. If your CCRC contract is a Type C Fee-For-Service plan, you, or your insurance pays for the extra care. 

Memory care

Memory care is needed when a person requires cognitive support for dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Memory care focuses on optimizing the function and quality of life of residents in a safe physical environment to help them maximize their functioning, maintain their dignity, preserve their sense of self-worth, and optimize their independence for as long as possible. The average stay in memory care is 18 months. Memory care facilities may be freestanding or offered as a part of the care at a CCRC. 

Memory care costs must be paid by the person receiving the care, by another person, or by insurance. If your CCRC contract is a Type A Life Care Plan, the CCRC pays for extra care. If your CCRC contract is a Type B Modified Plan, the CCRC discounts the cost of the extra care. 

Skilled nursing care

Skilled nursing care is needed when a person requires skilled nursing staff, such as a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or certified nursing technician (CNT) to manage, observe, and evaluate his or her care on a 24/7 basis. Skilled nursing may be needed on a temporary or long-term basis. The average stay in skilled nursing is about 1 to 2 years. Skilled nursing facilities may be freestanding or offered as a part of the care at a CCRC. 

Skilled nursing costs must be paid by the person receiving the care, by another person, or by insurance. If your CCRC contract is a Type A Life Care plan, the CCRC pays for extra care. If your CCRC contract is a Type B Modified plan, the CCRC discounts the cost of the extra care. 
And then you die! 

The only responsibility a healthcare facility, including a CCRC, has at the death of a resident is to notify the resident's family and protect the person’s property inside the facility. 

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