What is a Life Plan Community?

Most people choose a Life Plan Community before they need care. Doing so allows them to make important decisions about where they want to live, how they want to spend their time and how they want to plan for future needs while those decisions are entirely their own. It also means becoming part of the community while you’re able to fully enjoy it—building friendships, traveling, learning, staying active and taking advantage of everything around you.

And for many people, planning ahead is a gift to their family. Important decisions have already been considered before a health event or crisis makes them urgent.

A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is another name for a Life Plan Community. While “CCRC” has traditionally been the industry term, many communities now use “Life Plan Community” because it better reflects the combination of an active lifestyle today with a thoughtful plan for future needs. Both terms describe the same model.

Residents move into an independent residence while they’re active and enjoying retirement. If their health needs change over time, they have access to additional support and care without having to search for another community or leave the place they’ve come to call home.

At River’s Edge, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing are available on the shared RiverSpring Living campus through the Hebrew Home at Riverdale. That means familiar surroundings, trusted relationships and the reassurance of remaining part of the same community throughout retirement.

One of the greatest benefits of Life Care is greater financial predictability. Instead of waiting to see what future care may cost, Life Care allows you to plan for those potential expenses in advance. Life Care typically combines an entrance fee and monthly service fee with access to future care according to the terms of the residency agreement. The exact structure varies by community, which is why understanding the contract is an important part of comparing Life Plan Communities.

At River’s Edge, the Life Care option is designed so that your monthly service fee remains essentially the same even if your level of care changes, subject to normal annual adjustments. This can provide greater clarity around future expenses and help reduce the uncertainty of paying market rates for care later. River’s Edge also offers another contract option, so our team can help you understand the differences and determine which approach best fits your plans.

There isn’t one. A Life Plan Community and a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) refer to the same type of community. Today, many organizations prefer the term “Life Plan Community” because it emphasizes active living, independence and thoughtful planning rather than healthcare alone.

Most residents choose to move while they’re healthy, active and able to fully enjoy everything the community offers.

Moving earlier gives you time to build friendships, establish routines, enjoy the lifestyle and become part of the community long before additional support is ever needed. It also means you’re making the move because of what you want next, not because circumstances have made the decision for you.

Generally, Medicare does not cover independent living, assisted living or long-term memory care within a Life Plan Community. Medicare may cover short-term skilled nursing or rehabilitation services following a qualifying hospital stay when Medicare eligibility requirements are met. Because coverage rules can change, it’s always best to consult Medicare or speak with a qualified representative for the most current information.