Michigan Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Michigan

Continuing care retirement communities provide residents with a continuum of care, including independent retirement living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, rehabilitation. They offer the possibility to transition to a higher level of care, in accordance with the changing needs of the residents, accepting those who are over a certain age (55 or 62).

All the care levels are available within the same campus, usually with separate facilities for independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing. At admittance, residents have to cover an entrance fee, followed by monthly fees to cover additional costs. They can reside independently in apartments, townhouses or cottages, moving into assisted living or skilled nursing when their needs become increasingly complex.

CCRC residents can choose one of the three basic types of contracts. The life care or extended contract represents the most expensive option, guaranteeing access to healthcare and personal assistance without additional charges. The modified contract includes services offered for a limited period of time, after which the resident must pay for these (higher fees to be expected). Last, but not least, there is the fee-for-service contract, which requires a lower entrance fees but one should expect for the monthly fees to be considerably higher.

In Michigan, there are around 120 CCRCs. These are located throughout the state, including in: Ann Arbor, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Grand Traverse, Holland, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Saginaw. Aside from the main care levels, some of them also offer PACE programs, nursing home services, respite care, adult day care, etc.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Michigan - financing and costs

Michigan-based CCRCs are regulated under the Living Care Disclosure Act. These can be classified in two main categories, meaning for-profit and non-profit. Corporations often invest in retirement communities of this kind, but many non-profit CCRCs are backed by churches. The latter are known as faith-based retirement communities.

To move into a CCRC, you will have to cover the entrance fee, which varies between $100,000 and $1,000,000. Before signing the contract, it might be a good idea to verify the refund policy. Some retirement communities offer partial or complete refunds, in case you change your mind. The fee might also be dependent on the care level, with priority access being given to those who need assisted living or skilled nursing (valid for the fee-for-service option).

As mentioned above, it is also necessary to pay a monthly fee. This fee covers the access to healthcare, personal assistance, services, and amenities. With Michigan-based CCRCs, you can expect to pay between $3,000 and $5,000 per month. While many prospective residents decide to sell their home to cover the necessary fees, one might also consider using retirement funds, savings, and other assets.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Michigan - care levels and services

A retirement community is meant to offer a continuum of care within the same campus. Upon entering, adults who are independent and in a reasonable state of health can opt for independent retirement living. When assistance becomes a must, they can transition to assisted living or skilled nursing. Memory care is a complex level, which is recommended for those who suffer from dementia, including 24/7 assistance and supervision.

For older adults, it can be comforting to know that they are well taken care of, even if and when their needs might change. They are no longer concerned about caregiving opportunities, knowing they can transition to a higher level of care whenever the situation requires it. Transitions are advised by the medical personnel, taking into account changes related to one’s health and level of independence.

All the residents have access to a number of basic services, including housekeeping, general maintenance and security, meal plans, laundry and linen services. In accordance to the chosen level of care, additional services might be included. For instance, some residents benefit from constant supervision, medication administration, transportation to/from medical appointments. The list of available services is generally included in the contract.

CCRC in Michigan - amenities and options

Continuing care retirement communities have been designed with the purpose of offering the best quality of life. This is the reason why seniors can choose between different types of living units, ranging from modest condominiums to spacious cottages. Couples are allowed to live together, and they remain on the same campus, even when they require different levels of care. Many of these communities allow residents to have pets, but it might be a good idea to check if a CCRC is pet-friendly or not, before moving on with the application.

The amenities you will find on a campus destined for senior adults can vary tremendously. You can expect to find at least one fitness center, as well as swimming pools, tennis courts, and golf courses. There are restaurants and cafes, hair salons, social clubs, movie rooms, billiard rooms, religious services, landscaped gardens, woodworking shops, and many more options. Some CCRCs offer prospective residents unique amenities, such as butterfly sanctuaries, memory gardens, or learning centers.

The big question: is a CCRC the right choice for me?

There comes a time when you have to think about the future and consider the option that makes the most sense. Continuing care retirement communities offer everything you might need to live comfortably during your golden years. To help you decide, we have gathered a few pros and cons.

Pros of moving to a CCRC in MI

Healthy adults can keep on residing independently, for as long as their health allows it

Option to choose a living unit that suits your needs the most

No longer have to stress about caregiving solutions for the future

The contract specifies exactly the level of care, services and amenities the prospective resident will benefit from

Communities of this kind offer the perfect blend of privacy and comfort

Cons of moving to a CCRC in MI

Both entrance and monthly fees can be difficult to cover, especially by people with a low-to-medium income

Additional fees might be requested for certain services, social activities, and off-site trips (check contract)

Higher levels of care are more expensive

With the fee-for-service contract, the fees for assisted living and skilled nursing care are usually at market value

Not all residents manage to adjust to the new lifestyle, despite the comfortable living standards and easy access to a wide range of amenities