Idaho Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Idaho

For many people, the decision to move out of their home and into a retirement community is not an easy one to take. Fortunately, senior adults now have a wide range of opportunities to choose from, starting with continuing care retirement communities. Also known as CCRCs, these welcome retirees over 62 or 55, as the case may be, allowing them to lead an independent lifestyle for as long as it is possible.

These retirement communities accept prospective residents who meet the above-mentioned age requirement, with a good state of health. Even if CCRCs offer additional levels of care, such as assisted living, skilled nursing care, or memory care, they often demand residents to be in reasonable health and without chronic conditions. Some might even reject senior adults who do fail to meet these criteria, or require long-term care insurance prior to acceptance.

Financial eligibility is a significant determinant for the acceptance process. If you want to live in an Idaho CCRC, you will have to be self-sufficient and capable of covering the rather substantial entrance fee. Residents also have to cover monthly fees, in accordance to the services and amenities provided to them. It is also worth mentioning that such a decision will require advanced planning, especially since many of these CCRCs have extremely long waiting lists.

In the state of Idaho, there are about 70 CCRCs. You can find these in Boise, Post Falls, Nampa, Meridian, Twin Falls and Idaho Falls. These retirement communities are often popular among senior adults, due to the natural beauty the state has to offer. Moreover, they promote the concept of active retirement, which is highly appealing for people in that age category.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Idaho - financing and costs

All CCRC must be accredited in order to function. In terms of financing, these fall under two different categories: for profit (private investments) and non-profit (including faith-based). Authorities may contribute to the financing of these retirement communities, and there are some created on the basis of private-public partnerships.

Those who want to move to an Idaho-based CCRC can choose between different types of contracts. Lifetime care contracts specify that the resident will continue to benefit from the services and amenities within the retirement community, even in the situation he/she will no longer afford to cover the associated fees. These contracts are not offered by most CCRCs.

Extensive contracts allow the resident to benefit from unlimited care, with little or no increase in the associated fees. There are also modified contracts, in which additional fees to be paid are mentioned. The entrance fees for these retirement communities can start at $80,000 and reach the high value of $750,000. As for the monthly fees, these range between $1,500 and $2,500. This is lower than states like California or Hawaii, and close to the national average of $2,500.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Idaho - care levels and services

A CCRC can be seen as a residential campus, which offers a continuum of care to its residents. Senior adults can live in private units and transition to more complex levels of care, such as assisted living, skilled nursing care and memory care, provided their health and personal assistance needs have changed. The purpose is to ensure an independent lifestyle, while allowing the resident to maintain his/her privacy and offering constant access to healthcare.

Among the most common residential services you will find in such a retirement community, there are: round the clock property maintenance, cleaning and laundry service, meal plans (with careful consideration to dietary requirements), ground maintenance and security, programs to cover the needs for socialization, recreation and entertainment. Health care services include: medical assistance, personal assistance for daily living activities, nursing and rehabilitative care, respite and hospice care, memory care for Alzheimer’s and dementia residents.

If necessary, the resident can transition to a different level of care, while remaining within the same setting. This has been proposed to facilitate the access to medical care and personal assistance, but also to the greater purpose of allowing senior adults to "age in place". Transitions are decided on the basis of regular assessments and after obvious changes in health status/independence level. For instance, residents who show obvious neurological degeneration might be transitioned to memory care. In other situations, the transition may only be temporary, as it can happen with a resident who has fallen and broke his/her hip (rehabilitation necessary).

CCRC in Idaho - amenities

By choosing to move into an Idaho-based CCRC, you will have different options to think about. These communities are targeted to offering the best lifestyle for their residents, and they will not hesitate to make their welcome as pleasant as possible. Prospective residents can choose between different types of housing units, with some CCRCs offering access to cottages and townhouses. They can live alone or with their partner, and as the case may be, with their pets.

Even though the amenities might differ from one retirement community to the other, there are some you will find in most CCRCs. These can include: fitness center, swimming pool, learning center, art studio, memory garden, restaurant/café, common activity area, worshipping services, hiking trails, and so on.

By taking one good look, you will realize that these amenities target the main needs of the people living there: a healthy body despite the advanced age, an active social life with like-minded people, and a sound mind to keep neurological deterioration at a safe distance. Many of these amenities have been designed to help people with dementia, and ensure a safe but comfortable lifestyle.

Is a CCRC the right choice for me?

Idaho-based CCRCs are equipped with everything necessary for a great living experience. If you are not certain whether such a retirement community is the right choice for you or not, the following pros and cons might help you reach a final decision.

Pros of moving to a CCRC in ID

Continuum of care offered within a residential setting

Designed to offer senior adults an independent lifestyle, with access to healthcare and personal assistance

Opportunity to keep living privately, with socialization readily accessible

Transition to a new level of care in accordance to health needs

Access to a variety of residential and healthcare services

Cons of moving to a CCRC in ID

Expensive, with substantial entrance and monthly fees to be covered

May have a hard time adjusting to the residential setting

Despite the obvious freedom, there may be some restrictions (ask beforehand)

Lifetime care contracts are not offered in all CCRCs

Exceptionally long waiting list in some cases