Guest column from the "Washington Continuing Care Residents Association"

By Rick Baugh, Past President of the Washington Continuing Care Residents Association

When looking for a vibrant and invigorating community in which to retire, a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is terrific candidate to consider. The community living experience in a CCRC offers you congenial new friends, rich social and cultural experiences, excellent health care, life-enhancing fitness/wellness opportunities, genuine security and peace of mind. Your move will eliminate the stress of maintaining a home and relieve your children’s worries about their parents living alone. In this way, you will avoid becoming a burden to them or to others.

A CCRC provides a secure and comfortable place for senior citizens to live. The community assures a continuum of care as their needs change over time through the rest of their lives. CCRCs include independent living residences which are rented on a monthly basis; memory care facilities; and assisted living all on the same campus. Some even have skilled nursing for recovery from surgery and other medical needs.

Our Consumer Guide provides critical information for seniors considering investing in, and moving into, a CCRC. You will find sections elaborating on the types of contracts available (A, B, C, D), independent living options, levels of healthcare (Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, Memory Care), financial considerations, and ownership and governance characteristics. A helpful checklist of amenities makes decision-making easier. The Consumer Guide includes contact information for each of the 23 CCRCs registered in Washington State.

The Consumer Guide is available at www.waccra.org by clicking on the picture of the cover of the document.

The Washington State Continuing Care Residents Association (WACCRA) works to educate, collaborate and advocate on federal and state issues affecting Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) residents and other seniors.  More at https://waccra.org/home