Retirement Communities offer a wide range of amenities, services and health care options. From Independent Living to Assisted Living and Memory Care. Retirement Communities are capable of accommodating a wide variety of resident needs.
Retirement communities today have evolved. These communities are not “your grandmothers old folks home”! Today’s retirement communities are healthy, vibrant and full of life!
Retirement Communities in Charleston
Charleston is home to a wide range of retirement communities. Here you’ll find that our retirement community options fit loosely into traditional categories. As the needs of retiring seniors grow, some of today’s retirement communities have evolved into hybrid versions of the traditional models. As you explore your Charleston Senior Living Options, you’ll discover many of the communities here in the Charleston have amenities and care that overlap. Designed to give seniors more options and flexibility, we believe the variety of choices is a good thing.
Independent Living
Independent Living is for seniors who are comfortable and confident living without assistance. The perfect Independent Living resident requires little to no assistance. Residents benefit from social stimulation and access to a variety of supportive services and amenities. Residences in an Independent Living Retirement Community may be an apartment or a freestanding home. Often there is an entrance fee or security deposit and a rental agreement. Additional monthly fees for a menu of services and amenities may be available. This it’s why it is very important to visit the different communities. You will want to meet the staff, take a tour and become familiar with what options are available to meet your needs.
Most Independent Living Retirement Communities require new residents to be in good health. Consider that in the event one’s health does deteriorates, access to higher levels of care may or may not be offered in the community you’re living in.
Assisted Living
An Assisted Living Retirement Community is combination of housing, supportive services, amenities and care. Assisted Living Retirement Communities are designed for residents who require help with activities of daily living. Often assisted living communities are within a larger retirement community. Many retirement communities offer several layers of care to accommodate the needs of their residents as the move through the different stages of aging.
Assisted Living Services
- Assistance with ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living)
- Health and Medical Services
- Transportation
- Housekeeping Services
- Three Meals a Day in a Common Dining Setting
- Personal Laundry Service
- Social and Recreational Activities
- Exercise Programs
- Medication Maintenance and Reminders
- 24/7 Staff Availability
- 24/7 Security
- Emergency Call Systems
- Care for Life Threatening or Serious Illness
The list of services above is for informational purposes only. Review the value proposition and costs of each community. Make sure the services that you or your loved one needs are provided.
Residents at an Assisted Living Community will typically pay monthly rent, plus, if not included in the rent, additional fees for other care-related services needed. The biggest benefit for residents and their families with an Assisted Living Community is that the residents are monitored closely. Any changes that occur in their well being will be observed in a timely fashion by experienced adult care professionals. This will allow everyone the opportunity to react in a timely manner for the well being of the resident.
CCRC’s – Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing Care Retirement Communities offer several options for residents. Starting with independent living and the various other levels of health care services including assisted living and memory care.
Benefits
One of the major benefit’s of a CCRC’s is that all of these options are usually located on one campus. If a resident needs to move from an independent living residence, to an assisted living residence, they don’t have to leave the community. This gives the residents of the community a higher level of comfort and security.
CCRC’s offer different independent living options. One community may offer apartments, freestanding homes or villas, attached homes or other options. Assisted living residents typically require more care and support and usually reside in an apartment style living arrangements. Residents needing skilled nursing or memory support typically reside in semi-private or private rooms or suites.
CCRC’s or Life Care Communities typically require a long-term contract between the resident (frequently a lifetime) and the community. Some CCRC retirement communities will require upfront entrance fees as well. Becoming a resident of a CCRC’s offers residents maintenance-free living, a wide variety of services and amenities. The largest benefit to residents of a CCRC’s is access to a “continuum of health care”.
Most CCRC’s require new applicants to meet certain financial requirements and pay a one-time upfront entrance fee. Most CCRC’s will request a full set of financials to make sure the potential resident has enough assets to cover the future cost of a lifetime of health care. This is the point where you should involve your financial planner, attorney and accountant. Having the right advice at this stage in the decision process will be extremely important.
Waiting Lists?
You may be surprised to learn that some CCRC’s actually have waiting lists! Planning ahead will pay big dividends and allow you to retire the way you choose to retire.
Taking advantage of all your CCRC offer
Your residency will start in an independent living residence and allow you to enjoy all the services and amenities offered by the community. You will have access to long-term on-site health care, assisted living, memory support or skilled nursing.
Making sure each resident has the appropriate level of care is the CCRC’s top priority. Each CCRC will have different care and pay structures. You’ll have to make sure you fully understand what’s provided by your contract and what’s not. The different levels of care may be provided at one monthly rate or on a fee-for-service basis. The types of care levels and their costs will vary from one CCRC to the next.
Conclusion – Retirement Communities
The Charleston area offers a couple pure CCRC’s and several hybrid retirement communities that offer similar care and services. We have visited each community personally and can be a huge resource to you in the process. It’s important that all of our clients to visit each community in person. We will be happy to escort and introduce any of our clients to the different communities in the Charleston area. Our goal is for you to take you time and make sure you completely understand each community, it’s value proposition, services and amenities. Helping people make great decisions is what we do!
Also…while you’re doing your research, check out more Senior Living, Lifestyle Options like Downsizing, Aging in Place and Care Homes too!
Your Senior Real Estate Specialists
Bill and Millie Byrd are your Charleston Senior Living Experts! As Senior Real Estate Specialists Bill & Millie have been serving the Senior Real Estate Market for many years. “Let us guide your through the process of finding the right fit for your next chapter in life”. “Whether you need help selling the family home or simply finding that next home, or both, we are here to help”! Contact Bill & Millie at 843-972-7670
