Rhode Island Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, there are 38 continuing care retirement communities. These senior living centers can be found, among other locations, in: Providence, East Providence, Smithfield, Cumberland, Tiverton, Warwick, Wakefield, Middletown, and Fall River. For many senior adults, moving into a CCRC is the responsible choice; life in such a retirement community allows for an independent lifestyle, with consideration to future healthcare needs. The focus is on providing prospective residents with everything they might need to enjoy their years of retirement.

A continuing care retirement community offers access to high-quality healthcare, housing, and services within the same setting. Senior adults can apply for admittance, as long as they meet the age requirement (55 or 62) and have a good state of health. It is also required that one can cover both entrance and monthly fees, which can be substantial.

The particularity of a CCRC is that prospective residents can benefit from a continuum of care, starting with independent living and moving on to include assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care. Life care contracts are offered in some communities, allowing senior adults to benefit from services and healthcare for life. Modified contracts and fee-for-service contracts can also be chosen, in accordance with the needs of the resident(s).

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Rhode Island - financing and costs

The decision to move into a retirement community of this kind must be considered with years in advance, both due to the financial demands and the prolonged waiting period. Financial eligibility is one of the most important criteria, with most CCRCs requiring both entrance and monthly fees to be covered.

The entrance fee for Rhode Island CCRCs varies between $30,000 and $500,000. With luxury retirement communities, however, this fee might reach the substantial value of $1,000,000. To cover the access to healthcare, services and amenities, residents must pay monthly fees, which can vary between $2,000 and $4,500. In some retirement communities, there is no entrance fee but the monthly fees to be covered are higher as a result.

A specialized attorney can help you determine whether you have sufficient funds to apply for a spot into a CCRC. Potential solutions include selling your property, retirement funds, savings, and various assets. As mentioned above, the waiting period can extend over months or years, so it might be a good idea to apply early.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities in Rhode Island - care levels and services

As part of the contract, residents have access to four different levels of care, but they all start out with independent living. They can maintain an independent lifestyle, living each day to the fullest. When the health changes brought on by aging become too demanding, residents can transition toward assisted living. Within this level of care, they have access to healthcare and personal assistance, including with daily living activities.

Residents who present complex health needs can opt for skilled nursing care, a level which might include short-term rehabilitation or long-term care. A team of professional medical specialists offer round-the-clock care, helping prospective residents maintain a dignified lifestyle. Memory care is a level suited to those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, with resident being offered the opportunity to live their days in a caring environment.

The transition from one level of care to the other is decided by the medical staff, with consideration to one's health status, level of independence, and personal assistance demands. While all residents begin with independent living, transitions to higher levels of care might be decided upon noticing changes in the above-mentioned particularities. It is also worth mentioning that transitions can be temporary or permanent, being decided in the best interest of the resident.

Within the campus, retirees have access to a wide range of services. Aside from housekeeping and general maintenance, the list of services might include: 24/7 security, Internet, cable, telephone, guest admissions, meal plans, linen and laundry service. Additional services are offered, such as: grocery shopping, household errands, diet adjustment and monitoring, pet and houseplant care, mail organizing, daily assistance, transportation to/from appointments, medication management.

CCRC in Rhode Island - amenities and options

What are your options? Well, if you are planning on moving into a Rhode Island CCRC, the first thing to think about is the housing unit. Common choices include apartments, townhouses and cottages; the fees to be paid are influenced by the floor plan and the amenities included. Partners are allowed to live together and even when their health needs are different, they have the benefit of living on the same campus, close together.

Many of the CCRCs are pet-friendly, allowing prospective residents to live together with their pets. As a result, the CCRC residents benefit from added socialization and regular physical activity. In terms of amenities, a continuing care retirement community might offer: worship services, fine dining restaurants and cafes, beauty salon, pharmacy, library, billiard and computer room, common activity area, walking and hiking trail, landscaped gardens, swimming pool, tennis court, golf course. Senior residents who suffer from dementia benefit from special amenities, such as memory gardens, learning centers, speech and occupational therapy sessions, guided walks.

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

At the beginning, it might be hard to imagine yourself living in a Rhode Island CCRC. However, as you will dare to re-imagine how your golden years might look as, you might realize the decision to move was indeed the best.

Pros of moving to a CCRC in RI

Opportunity to choose a housing unit that suits your personal preferences and needs

Beautiful campuses, with round-the-clock access to services and amenities

Quiet locations, with immediate access to urban locations

A community of like-minded individuals, who share similar interests

Life care contracts available in some communities, offering access to healthcare, services and amenities for life

Cons of moving to a CCRC in RI

Long waiting period admittance-wise (can last months or years)

Expensive fees, especially entrance fees (not available to those with a low- or medium-level income)

Some CCRCs are built in isolated locations, far away from other communities or urban locations

Despite the community value, some senior adults might feel isolated or depressed

Living in a CCRC requires an adjustment period, which is not easy to go through