Nevada Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Nevada

Continuing care retirement communities have been especially developed for seniors who want to live their golden years peacefully, without the burden of house chores. These communities usually accept seniors with a good state of health and a suitable income to cover the necessary fees. Age is also a requirement, as most CCRCs welcome seniors who are either over 55 or 62 years.

Prospective residents have the opportunity to choose independent living and take advantage of the amenities that each community has to offer. When their health needs change or they require personal assistance with daily living activities, they can transition to a higher level of care. Aside from independent living, these communities offer: assisted living, skilled nursing care, and memory care. Some might also offer respite care, home care, short-term care, etc.

Nevada is among the states that do not have too many communities of this kind. In fact, throughout the state there are only 16 CCRCs, located for the most part in Elko, Las Vegas, and Reno. Residents can choose the community that suits their needs the most, provided they can cover the required entrance and monthly fees. Other admittance criteria might be mentioned, such as the presence of a long-term insurance plan.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Nevada - financing and costs

Most retirement communities that offer a continuum of care require a hefty entrance fee, which is also known as an equity buy-in. Usually, these sums vary between $100,000 and $1,000,000. It goes without saying that luxury CCRCs have higher entrance fees, which also makes them unsuitable for those with lower incomes.

Residents must also cover monthly fees, which can vary between $2,500 and $5,000. These fees cover the access to healthcare and personal assistance, but also the on-site services and amenities. The national average a resident is expected to pay per month is $2,500 – Nevada is one of the more affordable states in terms of such fees.

What are the potential financing solutions? Many senior adults save up for the retirement, using these funds to cover the necessary fees. It is also possible to use other funds and assets, as well as to sell your property and use the respective money for the move. As financial eligibility is a must, it is for the best to go over your finances with an experienced attorney and decide whether you should go through with the application or not.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Nevada - care levels and services

Even though CCRCs are similar to retirement communities, they have the advantage of offering a continuum of care within the same campus. Senior adults can start out with independent living and transition to more complex levels of care as their needs change. With assisted living, they can benefit from personal assistance with daily tasks, as well as medication administration or supervision.

A resident who has suffered a visible change whereas his/her health is concerned can transition to skilled nursing care. Specialized staff will handle the healthcare and personal assistance demands, ensuring the highest possible level of comfort. For instance, there are senior adults who are no longer able to walk unassisted or those who receive nutrition through a tube. Last, but not least, there is the memory care, which is reserved for those who have been diagnosed with dementia. Aside from handling the complex healthcare demands, senior adults benefit from round-the-clock supervision (no risk of self-harm or injury).

With other retirement communities, when health needs change, residents are forced to leave and move to another facility. CCRCs allow residents to transition from one level of care to the other, without having to leave the premises. The transitions are made at the recommendation of medical specialists, based on the needs of the respective senior adults and a number of decisive factors. For example, the staff might recommend a permanent transition when the resident can no longer take care of himself or herself, requiring 24/7 monitoring.

The range of services offered may vary from one CCRC to the other, but there are some that are present in all retirement communities. Residents benefit from housekeeping, general maintenance and security. They have access to Internet, telephone and cable, and there is an emergency call system in case of major health events. CCRCs also offer transportation to and from medical appointments, off-site visits, and consultations with medical experts.

CCRC in Nevada - amenities and options

Nevada-based CCRCs welcome senior adults, allowing them to choose a living unit that corresponds to their demands. You can choose between apartments or garden homes, such as townhouses or cottages. Did you know that you can keep living with your spouse? If your health needs will differ at some point, you can remain within the same campus and that is a major comfort factor to consider. Also, many CCRCs now allow pets, recognizing the benefits they have to offer. Make sure to check though if a community is pet-friendly or not.

You will find that the amenities offered practically satisfy every need you might have. If you are looking to stay fit, you can visit the fitness and wellness center, or go swimming. There are tennis courts and golf clubs, and some CCRCs organize additional classes, such as yoga. For those who are interested in staying sharp, mentally-speaking, there are chess clubs, learning centers, and a multitude of social events. Residents also benefit from fine dining, religious services, and special amenities designed for memory care (for example, a butterfly garden or guided walks).

What are some positives and negatives of moving into a CCRC in Nevada?

As you reach senior age, it is only normal to think about relocating. Is a Nevada-based CCRC the best place for you? Here a few pros and cons to help you decide.

Pros of moving to a CCRC in NV

Ability to live independently, enjoying the companionship of people who are of similar age

Opportunity to maintain an active lifestyle within a secure environment

Access to specific services and amenities destined to help you stay fit, both mentally and physically

Possibility to transition to a higher level of care, in accordance to your needs (healthcare and personal assistance)

Chores and housekeeping handed by the staff

Cons of moving to a CCRC in NV

Both entrance and monthly fees are expensive to cover – a senior adult with a low or medium-level income might not be accepted

Long waiting lists, it can take years before your application is accepted (early applications encouraged)

Some people have a hard time adjusting to the new setting and leaving their old life behind

Age diversity might be an issue, especially if you are used to being surrounded by people of various ages

Some campuses are away from the cities, so they might feel isolating at times