Georgia Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Georgia

In the past few years, continuing care retirement communities have become quite popular in the state of Georgia. More and more senior residents are thinking of moving into a CCRC, recognizing the obvious benefits. Such a retirement community offers access to housing, healthcare and amenities, all within the same location.

Modern CCRCs service the Atlanta Metro area, but also Savannah, Macon, Northeast Georgia, Southern Georgia, Savannah River, and Western. Atlanta CCRCs cover additional communities, such as Stone Mountain, Austell, Roswell, Acworth, and Newnan. There are about 80 retirement communities of this kind in Georgia.

For those planning to make the big move and live their golden years in a comfortable setting, there are a few things you should know. All CCRCs have a minimum age requirement, which varies between 55 and 62. Second, prospective residents who apply for admittance should have a good state of health. Financial eligibility is decisive for approval, and these retirement communities often have significant fees to be covered.

Whether we are talking about luxury or basic CCRCs, senior adults should be aware of the fact that these communities have a lot of advantages to offer. As their health needs change, they can opt for a higher level of care, continuing to live within the same community. This freedom is greatly appreciated, bringing the necessary peace of mind with regard to the future and potential challenges.

CCRC in Georgia - financing and costs

Georgia has both for-profit and non-profit CCRCs, the latter including faith-based retirement communities. Residents are given the opportunity to choose between various contracts, with the most advantageous one being the life care contract. Depending on one's financial possibilities, fee-for-fee contracts might be preferred.

To be admitted into a retirement community, you will most likely have to cover an entrance fee. In Georgia, this fee can vary between $80,000 and $300,000, depending on the respective CCRC, its services and amenities. Higher levels of care, such as assisted living, skilled nursing care, and memory care, are more expensive. Monthly fees have to be covered as well, ranging between $2,500 and $5,000. By comparison, the average monthly fee in the US is around $2,500.

If you are approaching retirement age, it might be a good idea to take a look at your finances. Selling your property can represent an option, as well as using retirement funds or savings. Keep in mind that tax benefits might apply, and that some CCRCs may offer financial assistance. The sooner you will move into the retirement community, the more affordable the overall costs are going to be.

CCRCs in GA - services and care levels

Georgia CCRCs offer senior adults the possibility to live independently, with different levels of care and associated services. Both wellness and healthcare services are accessible and suited to the changing needs of residents. The chief goal is to help prospective residents maintain an active, independent lifestyle.

Aside from independent living, residents can benefit from several health services, such as memory care, assisted living, skilled nursing care, respite care and day programs. Additional services include housekeeping and maintenance, laundry and linen, security, etc. All of these are accessible at any given moment, with trained staff working round the clock to ensure a comfortable level of living.

What do the different levels of care mean?

Independent living – resident lives on his/her own, in the desired housing unit, handling daily living activities independently and benefits from healthcare services whenever necessary

Assisted living – resident benefits from constant personal and healthcare assistance, due to complex health changes & loss of independence (partial or total)

Skilled nursing – recommended for residents with deteriorating health conditions, and is often accompanied by rehabilitation

Memory care – the highest level of care, recommended for residents who suffer from deteriorating neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

Transitions are advised when the resident's health status changes, or in the situation that the current state of health no longer permits him/her to perform daily living activities. Whether the transition is temporary or permanent, this is usually done only at the recommendation of a medical specialist. In deciding whether a higher level of care would be more suitable, the doctor will also consider how dangerous independent living might have become for the resident in questions.

CCRC in Georgia - amenities and options

Life in a CCRC can be wonderful. These retirement communities are doing everything possible to welcome senior adults, enticing them with various living arrangements and attractive options. For instance, those who opt to move into a Georgia CCRC can live on their own or together with their partners. These communities are pet friendly, which is a huge advantage for those who are either dog or cat lovers.

Outstanding amenities make living in such a retirement community even more pleasant. From state-of-the-art fitness centers to swimming pools and tennis/golf courts, residents have plenty of opportunities for physical activity. They can enjoy fine dining and socialize at on-site cafes, take a walk in the garden, or visit the different learning centers. Additional amenities include religious services, art studios, woodworking shops, walking trails, greenhouses, game rooms, etc.

Moving into a CCRC is a life changing decision. Georgia has many attractive retirement communities, and we are more than happy to provide you with all the information you need to make the right decision.

Pros of moving to a CCRC in GA

Independent lifestyle and sense of security

Exceptional quality care and service

Opportunity to transition to a higher level of care (healthcare and personal assistance)

Peace of mind knowing that you will be well taken care of, now and in the future

Access to modern amenities, such as the ones mentioned above

Cons of moving to a CCRC in GA

Might not have the financial means to cover the entrance & monthly fees

You might not find the lifestyle of a CCRC to be suited to you

Should you decide to move, the entrance fee might not be refunded

Admittance can extend over a long period

Might feel the need to be among younger people, feeling frustrated at the lack of age diversity.

To learn more about Georgia CCRCs, we recommend that you perform a short search online. You will certainly come across wonderful retirement communities, which offer extremely detailed information on their services.