5 Misconceptions About CCRCs

Moving to a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) such as Ventana can be one of the best retirement decisions you can make. However, continuing care retirement misconceptions might make you wonder, “Are CCRCs worth it?” Clearing up misconceptions about CCRCs can help you or a loved one feel more comfortable about retirement.

Call Ventana today at 214.225.6197 to learn more about our senior care services in Dallas, TX, and how we can help you live a healthy, fulfilling life in retirement.

5 Misconceptions About CCRC

When considering moving to a CCRC, several common misconceptions are worth addressing. Understanding the facts about CCRCs can help you make a well-informed choice for your future. The following are five of the most common misconceptions about CCRCs:

1. CCRCs Are Too Expensive

Moving to a CCRC is an investment, but the associated costs come with many financial benefits, which, over the long run, can pay for themselves and even save you money. Some of the financial benefits of life at a CCRC include:

Large tax deductions
No extra costs for home maintenance or repairs
No hidden healthcare costs, no matter what happens down the road

Thanks to the long-term contracts at CCRCs, such as the life care contracts at Ventana, you get the value of predictable, consistent expenses. This simplifies budgeting and protects you from the unexpected costs of unforeseen home maintenance and health issues arising if you stay in your current home.

2. CCRCs Are Nursing Homes

In the case of senior living communities, CCRCs possess the core elements of nursing homes and deliver the entire continuum of care that nursing homes can offer. However, not all nursing homes possess the full range of options at CCRCs.

It may be true that you’re too young to move to a nursing home. Conversely, it’s rarely too early to move to a CCRC because CCRCs like Ventana are flourishing communities that empower seniors to be active, healthy, and socially engaged. At a CCRC, you get all the skilled nursing benefits of nursing homes if and when you need them, but moving to a CCRC long before you ever require the community’s care services allows you to take advantage of all the community offers.

3. People in CCRCs Sit Around Doing Nothing

This one couldn’t be further from the truth. While it’s understandable that many seniors wonder, “What’s next?” and “What’s left for me to do?” when they think about moving to a retirement community, the reality of life at a CCRC quickly erases doubts about finding fulfillment in retirement.

Living at a CCRC like Ventana offers an abundance of possibilities to fill your days with activity—to learn new things, meet new people, and explore new pastimes in ways you’ve never had the chance or time to pursue. Maybe it’s taking up painting, becoming an avid swimmer, gardening, learning a new language, or playing chess. Maybe it’s joining a book club, taking fitness classes, or going on cultural excursions in the surrounding area. Whatever you like to do, CCRCs allow you to live the way you want.

4. I’ll Be More Comfortable Aging at Home

Many seniors fall into the trap of believing they’ll be better off just because they’ll stay in their longtime homes. In reality, those who spend their later years at home often face unanticipated troubles, such as bodily injuries, unforeseen home maintenance problems, break-ins, and debilitating illnesses. When these issues arise, seniors living at home become reliant on their families, who may not have the time or resources in their own busy lives to provide adequate care and support.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities prevent these types of hassles because CCRCs are designed with safety and available care in mind. Communities like Ventana give seniors peace of mind with emergency services, on-site maintenance and wellness staff, advanced medical treatments, and the entire continuum of care. Compared to aging in place at home, CCRCs provide more freedom, convenience, better care, and less worry.

5. My Current Home Is Best for Staying Social and Connected to Friends

Many seniors think that aging in place will allow them to retain their social lives better than in a senior living community. The opposite is true, as staying at home leads to more isolation and loneliness among seniors. At CCRCs, seniors have countless opportunities to develop new relationships and be surrounded by like-minded individuals daily. At Ventana, Members enjoy a deep sense of community and social engagement.