Living at a CCRC, or a Continuing Care Retirement Community, means that all of your necessities will be in one place. Your current day to day activities and responsibilities likely require a lot of time, effort and – yes, you guessed it – money. In senior independent living, your responsibilities can be streamlined, providing you with the carefree lifestyle you deserve during your retirement years. 

While there are many factors that need to be considered when thinking about moving into a CCRC, we understand that your finances may be in the forefront. We’re here to help you understand what senior living fees include. When looking into a Life Plan community, consider your everyday expenses and compare them to everything you’ll get out of the community. You may actually find that it’s less expensive, or comparable, to your current expenses.

UNDERSTANDING THE CCRC MODEL

Independent living is the first option in the spectrum of CCRC housing options. The different care levels of a CCRC can include: 

• Independent living
• Assisted living
• Skilled nursing care
• Memory care

Most Continuing Care Retirement Communities are designed for those who are able to live independently when they move in, but also want the security of knowing changing needs can be met as they age, without having to relocate.  

CONSIDER YOUR CURRENT COSTS

Residents pay a fee to stay at a Continuing Care Retirement Community, but it may not be as costly as you think. Consider how much you’re currently spending living at your home now. Think of ALL your expenses – such as a mortgage payment, utilities, and home maintenance. Owning your home also means you’re on the hook should anything need fixing or replacing. Outside of your home, you may pay for yard care, landscaping, or even snow removal. On top of all of that is the biggest cost of all: the valuable time and energy you’re spending on upkeep. The many monthly expenses you’re dealing with add up over time, but in a CCRC they’re included in the monthly fee. 

In addition to saving money on home maintenance, there are also other costs associated with home ownership that you won’t have to pay when living in a senior living community. Costs such as property insurance and property tax will either drastically decrease or disappear completely. You may even choose to live in a community that offers shuttle services, allowing you to forgo owning a personal vehicle altogether. That means no car payments, gas money, insurance, or other vehicle maintenance expenses resting on your shoulders.

SENIOR LIVING COST MODELS

So, what types of costs are we talking about? Depending on what Continuing Care community you choose, you may pay a one-time entry fee. After paying the entry fee, members are then responsible for a fixed monthly fee for their membership. Hearing these costs may make living in a CCRC sound more expensive than staying home – however, many find that their monthly expenses and cost of living go down after moving to a CCRC.

GET SPECIFIC ABOUT YOUR COSTS

If you’re considering making the move to a senior living community but aren’t sure about it financially, we have some tips that may help you:

• Start keeping track of your spending at home. The best way to find out your current costs is to keep a detailed list of everything you purchase and every bill you pay. 
• Make sure to list if and how often appliances need to be serviced or replaced. Many people find that the small services required around the home tend to add up quickly.
• Pay close attention to how much your groceries cost. The dining options offered typically provide a lot of bang for your buck at a senior living community.
• Keep track of all entertainment and leisure activities. One of the best parts about senior living is all the fun programs offered to residents. You’ll have unlimited access to revisit old hobbies and learn new ones.
• Don’t forget to include copays and health-related costs. The services and amenities offered in CCRC’s healthcare typically provide more than traditional doctor’s offices. The option for a continuum of care is always available as well, should you need it.

Once you add up your current expenses, compare that to the monthly fee at whichever Continuing Care community you are considering. Make sure to find out what is covered in the monthly fee so that you can compare. At Viamonte, the monthly fee covers:

• Club-style dining
• Bistro bar and alfresco dining
• Housekeeping
• Linen Service
• Utilities – heating, air conditioning, water and electricity
• Cable television
• Wi-Fi and internet access
• Secure parking
• Concierge
• Residence, building and grounds maintenance
• Comprehensive wellness programs
• Recreational, social and educational programs
• Transportation
• Additional storage

Viamonte at Walnut Creek will offer a comfortable lifestyle, ensuring you have all you need from dining and activities, to fitness, wellness and healthcare. To discuss the costs of senior living at Viamonte, visit our website or call us at 925-387-6865.