Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)
CCRCs offer a full range of housing, residential services, and health care as the needs of residents change over time. The continuum of facilities and services available to residents typically includes:
- An independent residential unit (apartment or villa), one or more meals, housekeeping, social and recreational activities, and some transportation.
- A separate assisted living area on the premises, where additional support services are provided. Some of these are secure for people with memory loss.
- A separate health care and nursing facility on the premises, with skilled nursing and/or physical rehabilitation, either short-term or long-term.
The on-site community, services, healthcare, and activities are key factors that attract many people to CCRCs. It is also appealing to feel that you need make only one major transition to a new location.
Some Important Features of CCRCs
Some CCRCs are lifecare communities, meaning that once you buy in, care is provided through the levels of care (independent, assisted, nursing). Others offer a continuum of care, meaning that they offer all levels of care, but you must be admitted to and pay differently for each level of care. Lifecare contracts generally expect you to enter and live independently for some period of time, while continuum contracts allow people to enter at each level of care.
CCRCs differ from one another in a number of other ways. Some CCRCs are nonprofit and some are for-profit. Some nonprofit CCRCs are sponsored by religious organizations, and some are not. CCRCs also vary in their physical plants, facilities, services, and amenities.
Traditional CCRCs require a sizeable entrance fee plus monthly payments. The contract between the CCRC and the resident is not an agreement to lease or purchase property. Rather, it is an agreement to purchase services and the right to live in a specific place by paying a one-time entrance fee and monthly service fees. These fees vary even within a CCRC, depending on whether you are single or a couple, and on the number of rooms you choose in the independent living unit. The monthly fees are subject to annual increases.
CCRCs also differ in their residential contracts. Some CCRCs “bundle” their services, which means that one fee covers all basic services. Other CCRCs “unbundle” their services, with the resident assuming responsibility for services used. It is important to be aware of the specific services that are bundled or unbundled, especially regarding the CCRC’s health services.
CCRCs also have varying requirements for passing a physical. For example, some require that it is reasonable to expect that you will be fully independent for the first year.
CCRCs differ in their payment arrangements. Some CCRCs charge a relatively large entrance fee that is partially refundable at the time of death, whereas others charge a smaller entrance fee with little or nothing refundable at the time of death. Some CCRCs offer a choice among several financial arrangements. For an article on CCRC pricing, click here.
The multi-year waiting lists no longer exist. Your wait will depend on the type of unit you want.
CCRCs also differ in less tangible but no less important ways. Each CCRC is a distinctive social community. Before joining a particular CCRC, one should become familiar with the community. Daytime and even overnight visits can usually be arranged, with meals. Such visits provide opportunities to learn about the facility first hand by observing and addressing questions to residents, administrators, and staff.
CCRC marketing/admissions directors are available to visit, send information, and to answer your particular questions. Most have websites as well. You may request copies of the CCRC’s formal contract, annual report, and financial statement.
Many but not all CCRCs are accredited by the Continuing Care Retirement Commission, a department of the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Click here to go to their website for more information. Many are also members of Leading Age. You might find this guide helpful: “The Continuing Care Retirement Community, a Guidebook for Consumers,” available from Leading Age Publications Customer Service Center at 800.508.9442 or from their website at http://www.leadingage.org/.
Note: You may be looking for Windrows in this section because it was originally built as a CCRC. However, it is now separate and only offers independent living with many amenities. It is listed under independent living.
CCRCs in the vicinity of Princeton
All of these are open to people of all faiths.
ARBOR GLEN
Founded in 1997, it is a Quaker-directed nonprofit lifecare community.
- 100 Monroe St., Bridgewater, NJ 08807
- 908.595.6500
HOMESTEAD AT HAMILTON
- 2560 Kuser Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08691
- 609.438.9900
MEADOW LAKES
A Springpoint Senior Living facility is a nonprofit lifecare community.
- 300 Meadow Lakes, East Windosr, NJ 08520
- 800.564.5705 or 609.448.4100
- meadowlakesonline.org/
MONROE VILLAGE
A Springpoint Senior Living facility, it is nonprofit. Rates are different for each level of care.
- 1 David Brainerd Dr., Monroe Township, NJ 08831
- 732.521.6400
- monroevillageonline.org/
OSCAR & ELLA WILF CAMPUS FOR SENIOR LIVING
Provides three levels of care on one property, not continuum any longer; primarily for the Jewish elderly, in a setting consistent with Jewish values, traditions, and lifestyles.
- 350 DeMott Ln., Somerset NJ 08873
- 888.311.5231
PARKER AT MONROE
- A nonprofit, part of the Parker Homes family, based on the Eden Alternative Plan of Care. Skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, adult day, health & wellness center. Not a continuum.
- 732.992.5200
- 395 Schoolhouse Rd., Monroe Township, NJ 08831
- franciseparker.com
PENNSWOOD VILLAGE
Founded in 1980 and directed by Quakers, it is a nonprofit lifecare community.
- 1382 Newtown-Langhorne Rd., Newtown, PA 18940
- 888.504.1122
- pennswood.org
SEABROOK VILLAGE
Run by Erickson Communities. Fees vary with level of care.
- 3000 Essex Rd., Tinton Falls, NJ 07753
- 800.335.4725 or 732.643.1200
- ericksonliving.com/
STONEBRIDGE AT MONTGOMERY
A Springpoint Senior Living facility, it is a nonprofit lifecare community. Fees are renegotiated for each level of care.
- 300 Hollingshead Spring Rd., Skillman, NJ 08558
- 800.218.3456
- stonebridgeatmontgomery.org/
TWINING VILLAGE
Twining Village is a Diakon Lutheran Senior Living Community located in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It is privately owned and managed. One can opt for lifecare or lease.
- 280 Middle Holland Rd., Holland, PA 18966
- 800.752.4420
The Princeton Senior Resource Center does not endorse any of the resources listed on these pages. We collect and provide information from many sources as a service to those seeking services in the Princeton area. No listed provider pays to be in our directory.
