Choosing to sign a Life Care contract and move into a Continuing Care Retirement Community is an enormous decision that will  impact the quality and security of your life in retirement. Since it is generally something people only ever do once in their lives, most know nothing about the evaluation process at its outset. To help you navigate your decision-making and give you greater confidence you have made the right decision in the end, we have created a list of questions to consider asking.

Can you get a sense of culture or community?

Are you able to stay for a weekend or a week to check it out?

Do you like the activities and events being offered?

Do you like the food menu and food quality?

Are there transportation options convenient for you when you stop driving?

Is this a place that makes you feel safe?

Do you feel like this community is inclusive?

How well will the CCRC be able to care for you in the future?

Have you visited the assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities?

Is the level of care, services, and facilities consistent across independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing?

Are assisted living residents able to participate in Independent Living activities?

What kind of rating on medicare.gov does their skilled nursing division have?

Do the staff seem happy, supportive, and friendly? 

Do you feel confident that the CCRC is managed well?

Do you like the CCRC’s mission and values (many CCRCs are run by religious organizations)?

How important is resident input? Are residents voting members in the CCRC’s board of directors?

What is the current occupancy rate and how does that compare historically?

What is the average turnover rate in independent living over the past 10 years?

What is the average turnover rate in staff?

What is the staff to resident ratio in independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing?

Is this going to be a good, low-risk investment?

Will your entrance fee be set aside as reserves for future care? Or will it be used to cover day to day operations?

If you are choosing a 50% or 90% refund option, will your entrance fee earn interest?

If choosing a refund option, what are the conditions for the refund? Does the unit have to find a new tenant first before a refund is disbursed? Do I or my estate have to pay the monthly fee until that unit is newly occupied?

How much and how often has the monthly fees gone up?

Can you get their most recent audited financial statements? Is the report list any accounting exceptions or is it unqualified?

Does the CCRC have rated debt? If so, what is the rating?

What is the level of debt service required to be paid and how much of the monthly fees does that represent?

When does the existing debt have to be paid off?

Does the CCRC have any plans for expansion or renovations? How will they be financed?

Kithward can help you find the ideal CCRC. Start your search today!

“Aging in place” is a term used to describe a person’s ability to remain in their home or community of choice for as long as possible, even as their needs for assistance and health care grow and change with age.

According to a recent AARP survey of people aged 65 and over, about 90% of seniors want to age in place. 

For some, this means staying in a home they have resided in for many years. In these cases, seniors and their families must plan thoroughly -- financially and otherwise -- for the home modifications, personal assistance and health care that will become increasingly necessary over time. 

Those who desire to live and remain in a community, however, will need to make sure the community itself can provide the necessary personal assistance and skilled medical care on site. 

While there are some communities that have independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing all together, most independent living facilities are strictly independent. Should a person get sick or fall and require assistance, they will need to move to a different community that offers assisted living or skilled nursing, as the case may be..

There are assisted living facilities that also provide skilled nursing care while others can provide or coordinate hospice care on site. 

One option that allows for aging in place is called a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also known as a life plan community. Individuals or couples can enter a CCRC as active, independent seniors and enjoy a campus-like community which often boasts amenities such as pools, tennis courts, golf courses, libraries, lounges and multiple restaurants. Residents have a calendar of activities and events from which to choose so they can stay engaged physically, spiritually, creatively, and intellectually. 

Housing at CCRCs can range from single family homes to studio apartments, all with full kitchens and appliances and where home maintenance is taken care of by the community staff. Should a resident need assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or grooming, or medication management, they can either hire their own private personal aide  or move into the assisted living part of the community. If and when ongoing medical health care is required, they will have skilled nursing available to them as well. CCRCS offer a guarantee that residents will be taken care of as they age.

At Kithward, you can search for CCRCs or explore independent living communities that will allow you to age in place.

The MacArthur Foundation’s landmark ten-year study in 1998 showed that 70% of how we physically age, and 50% of how we mentally age are determined by the lifestyle choices that we make. It was this study that sought to break the stereotypes that equate aging to sickness, senility, slowness, weakness, and that longevity is predetermined by genetics.

We provide insights from Successful Aging: The MacArthur Foundation Study by Dr. John W. Rowe, and Dr. Robert L. Kahn.

Dr. Rowe and Dr. Kahn posited that one’s aging journey is mostly determined by one’s lifestyle choices - not genetics. There are four main factors that are needed for successful aging:

A physically active and mentally stimulating lifestyle

Many senior living communities, whether focused on independent living or assisted living, focus on providing for all four of those factors. 

take a look at their activities and events calendar. Are the activities fun, challenging? Do they get you thinking? Do they get you moving?

visit their fitness room or fitness center, and other fitness amenities like walking paths or swimming pool. Is the equipment friendly for seniors? Is there a personal trainer on staff? Are there regular exercise classes that interest you?

review their daily menu. Are they health-conscious? Do they accommodate low-sodium diets? And would you enjoy the food?

get a sense of the culture. Do residents seem to be involved in the planning of activities and events? Are there resident-run groups or clubs? Are there opportunities to volunteer within the larger community or are there intergenerational activities?

Find a community that engages your mind, your body, and your soul. Kithward can help!

Forget Aging Gracefully — Age Successfully!

If you are considering moving into a senior living community in your area, an in-person tour will give you a great insight into the look and feel of a place.

One of the best ways to explore different communities is to request a tour. If you are considering communities in your area, an in-person tour will give you a great insight into the look and feel of a place. Luckily for those who are considering communities in a new area, modern technology can also give you a wonderful opportunity to tour a facility that is not right on your doorstep.

Besides viewing potential apartment or home layouts at various locations, take some time to tour the facilities and services offered by these senior living communities as well. After speaking with a number of different operators, they typically recommend allowing 1.5 to 2 hours to take a good look around the community as well as get the chance to speak with fellow residents to get a better sense of the vibe in each place. Afterall, the way you feel about certain communities will be one of the key factors influencing your decision.

Enjoy a Meal in the Community Dining Room

When scheduling a tour, most senior living operators will offer you the option to come in for a viewing during lunch or dinner time. Accepting this offer will give you another great opportunity to interact with other residents and get a better sense of the social vibe in any given place. It will also allow you to sample some of the food on offer within the community’s dining program. Most retirement living communities include a number of meals in your monthly fees, so if you are hoping to put away your chef’s hat during retirement and enjoy some of these great services on offer, then sampling the menu during your tour will help you determine the quality and variety of their meals as well.

Most senior living operators will be incredibly helpful when you inquire about their community, but the reality is that their job is to sell you on their facilities and services in the hopes of welcoming you as a new resident in the near future. We can all do our own homework before and after the tour takes place, by reading online reviews and information about specific communities we are considering. However, it pays to keep in mind that most people only leave public reviews when they have an exceptionally good or bad experience somewhere. Therefore, it can be invaluable to find an opportunity to speak with some of the residents during your tour. Hearing from current residents will give you a far more accurate representation of what the community is currently like and how others are enjoying spending their days there.

Did you know you can schedule a tour at any of the communities you have browsed in the Kithward database? Save your favorite communities, schedule tours at a time that’s convenient for you, and get reminders of upcoming tours closer to the date. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out at hello@kithward.com and one of our friendly team members will be happy to help.

If you are an avid golfer, then Charleston, SC and its surrounding neighborhoods should be high on your list of senior living communities to consider.

If you are an avid golfer and you are hoping to prioritize your favorite hobby during your retirement years, then Charleston, SC and its surrounding neighborhoods should be high on your list of communities to consider. According to Golfbreaks, the townships of Mount Pleasant and Isle of Palms offer some incredible opportunities to tee off all year round. With several top-tier senior living facilities located in this area, you will have plenty of options to choose from to live out your golden years within close proximity of some of the best golf courses in Charleston, and South Carolina as a whole.

Three of the state’s top-rated golf courses can be found tucked away in the northeastern corner of Mount Pleasant. Designed by the legendary Arthur Hills, Dunes West is set amongst the natural wetlands of the South Carolina Lowcountry and its par-72 layout will keep any golfer entertained for hours on end. RiverTowne Country Club is home to Charleston’s only Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, with 18 holes to challenge even the most seasoned putter. Open to the public year round, Charleston National offers one of the best golfing experiences in the region. Its championship course was designed by Rees Jones and visitors can also enjoy a full-size state of the art practice facility and driving range.

If convenient access to these world class courses is what you are looking for, then the brand new 55+ active adult communities in this area, like Restore at Carolina Park, will make you feel right at home with all their modern luxuries. If you are planning ahead for the future, then Somerby Mount Pleasant offers choices that few senior communities in this area can match. Not only do they have several different independent living floor plans for you to consider at this stage of your retirement, but they also provide future care options under their assisted living and memory care umbrellas.

Just a short drive south from Mount Pleasant and 15 miles northeast of Charleston’s city center, you will find yourself in the bustling beach town of Isle of Palms. The Wild Dunes Resort, a high-end gated community on the island, hosts two more of South Carolina’s top-ranked golf courses. Both courses were designed by Tom Fazio and the Links Course at Wild Dunes Resort was his first ever design. It’s a relatively short but tricky 6,500-yard layout with stunning views across the Atlantic Ocean. The secondary Harbor Course at Wild Dunes Resort is located on the other side of the island and sits alongside the Intracoastal Waterway, challenging golfers with complex shots around natural lagoons and salt marshes.

If the island vibe is sounding like the right fit for you, there are several senior living communities located within a stone’s throw of these beautiful golf courses. Franke at Seaside is one of the region’s oldest wellness-based non-profit continuing care retirement communities and offers convenient shuttle bus transportation to your favorite nearby golf courses, while South Bay at Mount Pleasant is a much newer resort-style living community offering all the same services at your fingertips. Take your pick and never be further than a few minutes away from your preferred way to spend the day.

If you are considering senior living options in and around Charleston, Kithward can help you narrow down your choices and find the perfect fit for you. With so many exciting opportunities for a healthy outdoor lifestyle, a retirement in Charleston will ensure you don’t just live out your golden year but that you thrive in them!

Retiring to Charleston, South Carolina is a Golfer's Dream

If you're looking to retire to a more comfortable climate, you may consider one of the many stunning beachside locations near Charleston, South Carolina.

If you’re nearing retirement age, you may be starting to think about where you want to retire. Many retirees choose to move to a location where they can benefit from warmer weather as well as peace and quiet. If you’ve grown tired of cold, gray winters and would rather live in a location that’s comfortable all year round, you may want to consider one of the many stunning beachside locations near Charleston, South Carolina.

Just north of the Charleston Peninsula and neighboring the charming town of Mount Pleasant, you’ll find yourself in Isle of Palms. This bustling beach town boasts a large gated community but also offers multiple public beach access locations along the island, like the ones at Isle of Palms County Park, as well as many great places to eat while you spend your days soaking up the sun. The beaches on Isle of Palms are a great option if you are looking for the conveniences of city life while still being able to enjoy day trips to the beach.

With its impressive 60-mile stretch of beach, often referred to as “Grand Strand”, Myrtle Beach is nothing short of an oceanside dream for many retirees. Although the drive to Charleston, SC is just under two hours, you’ll find everything you could ever need in this well-equipped coastal city. Enjoy the clean ocean air while you spend your golden years playing countless rounds of golf with friends, and entertain your children and grandchildren with a visit to the Myrtle Beach State Park to show off your own little slice of paradise.

If you are looking for a slower pace of life, then Pawleys Island has your name written all over it. This small barrier island only stretches across four miles of beachfront access but offers many fantastic opportunities for fishing, shelling, and crabbing during various times of the year. You can also explore the salt marsh that separates Pawleys Island from the mainland on foot, or by kayak or canoe. On your doorstep, you’ll find several county and state parks, like Huntington Beach State Park, where you can spot over 300 different types of birds.

Located on Folly Island and just a short drive south from Charleston’s historic center, Folly Beach is a popular tourist destination for visitors to the region. It can get crowded during weekends and holidays, but it is still a convenient option for anyone looking to retire in the Charleston Peninsula. You can find some less crowded beaches on the western side of the island at Folly Beach County Park and on the eastern side of the island near the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve.

Still located in the sunny state of South Carolina, Hilton Head Island is close to the Georgia border and therefore within a short 20-mile drive of Savannah, GA. Charleston, SC is just under two hours away, so it’s still easily accessible if you crave the occasional city trip here and there. Hilton Head Island itself has a rich history of Native American ancestry, European settlement, and Civil War significance, making it a fascinating place to continue your lifelong learning goals. This region also hosts some of the most pristine beaches in the state, like Fish Haul Beach Park, where fishing and boating are enjoyed by many.

Explore these and the many other beautiful areas to retire in and around Charleston, South Carolina. Kithward’s advanced search filters allow you to sort through the numerous senior living options in any given area of interest, and help you narrow down your selection to the ones that match your individual needs.

The Top 5 Beaches to Retire to near Charleston, South Carolina

Start thinking about which items are must-haves on your apartment wishlist and which others you could quite happily live without in a senior living community.

When touring senior living communities to check out their facilities and services, you will most likely be taking a look at their different apartment options too. This can be a great time to start thinking about which items are must-haves on your wishlist and which others you could quite happily live without.

When downsizing from a family home or apartment, you may find it hard to imagine yourself in a significantly smaller setting at first. The thing to keep in mind is that many retirement living communities pride themselves on their shared facilities and do a fantastic job at creating inviting spaces where you can socialize and spend your days doing the things you love. With that being said, you will most likely find yourself spending more time in these types of communal spaces than in your own apartment. It’s therefore important to remember that the apartments or homes you view during your tour may feel somewhat small at this point in time, but you will be surprised at how little space you actually need within your own private walls if you plan on embracing a range of services offered at your chosen senior living community.

If a community has checked certain boxes on your wishlist, you may also want to think about the location of your preferred apartment within the community grounds. If you are an avid swimmer and you have chosen a community for its indoor swimming pool so you can stay active in the water all year round, then you may want to let the senior living operator know that you would prefer a unit within close proximity to the community pool. If you love the idea of spending your days reading in the communal library, then a unit near the library would be your preferred location. Your first preference may not always be available, but it’s still good to think about these things before moving in and letting your contact person know about your preferences so they can do their best to accommodate them.

Many senior living communities offer shared laundry facilities, private kitchens that can be reserved for family dinners, and private dining rooms that can be used for special occasions. When picturing your life in retirement, have you thought about the facilities and appliances you would like to have access to within your own apartment to use on a daily basis versus the ones that you would be happy to share for occasional use? Some units come with full kitchens while others have more simplified kitchenettes. If you love cooking, you may prioritize having a full kitchen in your chosen unit. On the contrary, your idea of a happy retirement might involve no cooking at all, where you take full advantage of the community’s dining program. No judgment here; we would be doing the exact same thing! Some apartments come with their own washer and dryer whilst others may have you sharing a laundry room with the fellow residents on your floor. Take some time to think about the things that are most important to you so you can have a list of questions ready to ask your tour guide.

Kithward provides floor plans for most apartment types available at the senior living communities in our database, so you can start to explore your options before you schedule a tour. When browsing various community profiles, simply click on any floor plan to enlarge the image and see a full list of amenities within each unit type.

Long gone are the days when senior living conjured up images of living alone at home or moving into nursing home facilities that felt more like hospitals for the old. 

Since the late 1980s, the concept of senior housing has evolved from medical care for the elderly to one of providing services to allow the aging to live with more independence. And in the last two decades, that concept has further evolved to accommodate lifestyle and quality of life choices, focusing not just on living, but living well.

Today, senior living is all about choice: in accommodations, activities, fitness, food, and healthcare.

Independent seniors who are active can consider these types of senior living options:

Age Restrictions: These apartments are for independent adults aged 55 and over.

Health & Mobility Restriction: Must be able to live independently, but assistance is .

Property Type: Apartments are available for rental, typically.

Housing: Apartments can range from luxury accommodations with high-end finishes to low-income housing.

Service & Amenities: Apartments are designed to be accessible with seniors in mind. Services can range from a typical luxury building (doorman, elevator, gym) to providing transportation or access to social services.

Additional Assistance: None provided by the apartments directly, municipalities may provide additional assistance. Otherwise, residents will need to hire a service on their behalf.

AKA “retirement communities,” “active adult communities,” “55+ communities.”

Age Restriction: These types of communities are designed for adults aged 55 and over.

Health & Mobility Restriction: Must be able to live independently with little to no assistance.

Property Type: Ownership with monthly fees or rental.

Size of Housing: Studio apartments to large 2+ bedrooms with den in detached home, with full kitchens. Styles range from single family detached homes, townhouses, cottages, bungalows, to condominiums.

Services & Amenities: Typically, they are amenity-rich, offering well-appointed clubhouses with on-site pools, tennis courts and/or golf course. Services may include home maintenance, landscaping, etc.

Additional Assistance: None provided by the community. Residents may hire a service on their own

Allows Aging in Place: In most cases, no. Services are not provided by the community. Outside help will need to be procured or residents must move to a facility that could provide a higher level of care. 

Payment: These homes are for sale with a monthly community fee

Age Restriction: Usually 55 and over or 62 and over. Mostly for independent seniors who are typically aged 65 and over who desire a higher level of service and activities.

Health & Mobility Restriction: Must be able to live independently.

Size of Housing: Styles range from single family detached homes, townhouses, cottages, bungalows, to apartments with full-sized kitchens and often with washer/dryer, but with flexibility to move to a different floorplan pending availability.

Services & Amenities: These communities provide dining, fitness programs, social hours, continuing education, and a calendar of activities to suit interests, along with housekeeping/laundry, and home maintenance

Allows Aging in Place: No. Services are not provided by the community. Outside help will need to be procured or residents must move to a facility that could provide a higher level of care.

When seniors need help with daily living activities or with healthcare, there are many options available, depending on the level and type of care needed:

Age Restriction: No age minimum, but primarily for seniors who need help with daily activities such as bathing, grooming, dressing, cooking and who want to remain in their current home.

Health & Mobility Restriction: Need assistance to live independently.

Services & Amenities: Certified home aides or personal care aides can assist with daily activities. Visiting nurses can provide medical services.

Payment: Hourly rates for aides and nurses.

Allows Aging in Place: Yes. Residents stay in their homes for as long as they use caretakers.

AKA “Group Homes,” “Adult Homes,” or “Rest Homes”

Age Restriction: No age minimum, but primarily for seniors who need assistance with daily activities around the clock in a smaller, more intimate community

Health & Mobility Restriction: Cannot live independently.

Property Type: Rental only with monthly fees depending on level of assistance.

Size of Housing: Private or shared rooms, with shared bathrooms within a home environment.

Services & Amenities: Aides or caretakers are available 24 hours a day and can assist with bathing, grooming, cooking, errands. Amenities and nursing services can vary.

Allows Aging in Place: Yes. Many facilities allow aging in place if they have skilled nurses and aides within their community.

Age Restriction: No age minimum, but ideally for seniors who need varying levels of assistance with daily activities and who would like more of a community.

Size of Housing: Several options available including studios/1 bedroom/2 bedroom apartments or with kitchenettes (smaller refrigerator, sink, and microwave), private or shared suites.

Services & Amenities: Services include all meals, housekeeping, laundry, scheduled transportation for errands, wellness programs with a daily calendar of activities and events. Additional levels of assistance can be provided depending on need – from medication management, incontinence care, bathing, grooming, dressing, etc. Care staff is available 24 hours a day with on-site nurses and/or scheduled doctor visits. Some communities can coordinate with hospice care so that aging in place would be possible. Many amenities are often provided including common living rooms, dining room, library, movie theater/media room, arts and crafts room, fitness room, etc.

Additional Assistance: Care is provided by the community.

Allows Aging in Place: Yes. Many assisted living facilities allow for aging in place if they have skilled nursing within their community or if they are able to provide/coordinate hospice services.

Age Restriction: No age minimum, though focus of care is on seniors who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Property Type: Rentals only. Monthly fees are included to pay for services, depending on the level of assistance. 

Housing: Private or shared rooms, with shared bathrooms, private or shared suites, and studio apartments with kitchenettes

Services & Amenities: Memory care services are similar to assisted living but residents receive a higher level of care for their Alzheimer’s or dementia. Residences have an extra level of security to prevent wandering, along with regular safety checks. The calendar of activities and events are designed to improve memory and cognition.

Additional Assistance: Care is provided by the community, including skilled nurses.

Allows Aging in Place: In certain cases, yes, depending on the presence of skilled nursing.

Age Restriction: Often a short-term solution for seniors who need access to 24-hour medical care in addition to assistance with daily living activities, as they recover from a recent hospitalization due to a serious illness or injury.

Property Type: Temporary housing while they recover. Some skilled nurses also provide home care at home.

Housing: Private or shared rooms, with shared bathrooms

Services & Amenities: Licensed and registered nurses are available on-site 24 hours a day to provide medical care. Services include all meals, housekeeping, laundry. Additional levels of assistance can be provided depending on need – from medication management, incontinence care, toileting, bathing, grooming, dressing, eating, etc. Some communities can coordinate with hospice care so that aging in place would be possible.

AKA "CCRCs" or “Life Plan Communities”

Age Restriction: Over 55 years old. Ideally, they serve CCRCs independent seniors who recognize that they may need increasing levels of care and assistance as they age and would prefer to age in place.

Property Type: Houses and apartments that can be owned or rented, depending on the contract.

Housing: Single family homes, townhouses, cottages, apartments (from studios to 2-bedrooms) in Independent Living to apartments with kitchenettes in Assisted Living to studios or private suites in Memory care to private or shared rooms in Skilled Nursing.

Services & Amenities: May offer the same as an active adult community but services such as housekeeping, laundry, linen service, meals, activity programming, and scheduled transportation are offered. In addition, they can provide services found in assisted living, including skilled nurses.

Aging in Place: Yes. Residents are guaranteed healthcare despite whatever changes they may have in personal and medical care needs for the same monthly fee or at a discounted rate depending on the terms of their Residency & Care contract.

Payment: One-time buy-in fee upfront with monthly community fees

The choices can be overwhelming but one thing for sure is that they all respond to today’s seniors who demand to focus on LIVING rather than simply aging.

Which Senior Living Option is Best for You? Kithward can help.

Familiarize yourself with the process of moving into a senior living community so you can manage your expectations, timeline, and finances accordingly.

Once you have found the perfect apartment in your dream community and you are feeling eager to begin this next exciting phase in your life, waitlists can catch you off guard and leave you feeling anxious to get things moving along as swiftly as possible. Therefore, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the process of moving into a senior living community so you can manage your expectations, timeline, and finances accordingly.

By reading up on the moving-in processes at various facilities and talking to friends or family members who have recently made a similar move, you can start to manage your expectations with regards to the timeline ahead of you and the fees involved in making this type of move come together seamlessly.

What Factors Will Determine Your Timeline?

Some senior living communities will have no waitlists for your preferred apartment choice, which means that you will be in charge of setting and managing your own timeline. You may need to account for the time it will take to downsize, move out of your apartment, sell your home, etc. Thinking about all of these pieces of the puzzle ahead of time, will help you set a realistic timeline and reduce the stress involved in making this sort of move.

Other retirement living communities may have a waitlist ranging anywhere from a few months up to several years, depending on your chosen apartment or home size. If this is the case, you will most likely need to work towards completing all the tasks mentioned above within a timeframe that has been determined for you, not by you. But here’s a hot tip for you… don’t get sidetracked and lose sight of time. A few months or years may seem like a lot of time, but taking the first steps to start downsizing earlier rather than later can be a massive help to avoid any last-minute moving stress. If you are moving from a family home into a senior living apartment, chances are you will have lots of decluttering and organizing to do, so why not start early and give yourself ample time to take care of all of your affairs. The big move-in day always comes around sooner than you think!

You have most likely already started working out your finances to know which types of senior living options you can consider. However, not all communities are equally transparent with their pricing. If you have worked on your monthly budget and found a place that suits your needs, you may not have known about the various move-in fees until it comes time to sign your contract. Asking questions ahead of time to learn about any other upfront move-in fees that should be budgeted for, can be a real lifesaver as the big move nears closer.

Most established senior living communities will charge a deposit fee to secure a specific unit in their complex. This deposit acts as your guarantee to get the individual unit or house that you have chosen. Newly developed communities will typically charge a reservation fee to reserve a unit or house that is currently still under construction. Some communities will charge a waitlist fee to get your name added to their queue. All of these fees can be fully or partially refundable, or they can just as easily be non-refundable, so it’s a good idea to inform yourself about all of these fees when speaking with senior living operators at various communities.

How Much Will It Cost To Add Your Name to the Waitlist?

When considering the communities in our database, the waitlist fees can range anywhere from $500 to $5,000 and can be fully, partially, or non-refundable. This range varies widely and will therefore be a question that is best answered by the individual senior living operators you have been speaking with.

Will a Deposit or Reservation Fee Be Charged At the Same Time As the Waitlist Fee?

This can also vary depending on the community you are dealing with. However, most communities will add your name to their waitlist and only charge the waitlist fee at that point in time. Once a unit of your liking becomes available, you will then be given the chance to pay a deposit fee to secure that specific apartment or home. Oftentimes, the waitlist fee is much less substantial than the deposit or reservation fee. Nine times out of ten, it simply acts as a placeholder for your name in a queue along with other interested parties. Once the time comes to put down your deposit or reservation fee, you will want to be 99% sure that this is the right decision for you. As there is typically more money tied up in this next step of the move-in process.

These are some of our visitors’ most frequently asked questions but if you have any other unanswered questions for us, please send us an email at hello@kithward.com and one of our friendly team members will be happy to assist you.

While CCRCs offer the most comprehensive retirement option for seniors, they have the most complicated contracts and are the most expensive. 

Here are the two primary cost components to consider:

Entrance fee also known as a “buy-in”. This is a one-time entry fee based on the size and location of the residence, as well as the type of residency care contract you choose. (More on that later.) The fee can range anywhere from $50K to even over $1M. The fee will be used to cover the costs of your growing care needs as well as providing funds for the community to operate.

Continuing care retirement communities are the most comprehensive retirement option for seniors, but it comes at a cost. They have the most complicated contracts and are the most expensive. Here we discuss the costs that go into joining a CCRC.

Primary Costs of Joining a Continuing Care Retirement Community

Also known as a “buy-in”, this is a one-time entry fee based on the size and location of the residence, as well as the type of residency care contract you choose. (More on that later.) The fee can range anywhere from $50K to even over $1M. The fee will be used to cover the costs of your growing care needs as well as providing funds for the community to operate.

Once the contract begins, the resident will pay a monthly fee to cover the costs of some meals, most activities, and services. The monthly fee may likely increase every year. And, depending on the contract, the fee may also increase should the resident enter into assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing. Fees typically range from $2000 to $6000, depending on the community, its offerings, and the level of care required.

Couples entering the CCRC together would pay an additional supplement to the entrance fee and the recurring monthly fee.

Fees can vary broadly among different communities and even within the CCRC itself. Factors that determine the size of the fee, include:

Size/location of the unit. The larger the unit and/or the better the view, the higher the entrance fee and monthly fee.

The type of residency care chosen. Or another way to look at it is, how much you are willing to pre-pay for more care. 

There are three main types of contracts, each with many variations. CCRCs will offer one, two, or even all three types of contracts:

A Type A or "Life Care" contract is one of most expensive CCRC contracts, but also provides the most benefits. The contract allows residents to essentially pre-pay for healthcare expenses that may incur in the future. This provides for predictability.

Monthly fees: Will remain the same despite growing service and healthcare needs

Benefit: Provides price protection as assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing costs can become much more expensive

A Type B or "Modified" contract offsets some of the costs of joining a continuing care retirement community, especially for healthcare. However, there are limits to the amount of care given.

Monthly fees: Will include an allotment of days (often 30, 45, 60, or 90 days) in assisted living, and an allotment of days in skilled nursing at the same monthly fee as independent living. If the resident needs more days in assisted living or skilled nursing than what is allotted, they would have to pay the present monthly rate for those facilities

Benefit: Provides some price protection as a resident may not need assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing at all.

A Type C or "Fee For Service" contract has much lower entry fees, as well as monthly fees. The trade-off is that residents must pay the market rate for services including assisted living and skilled nurses, which can get very expensive.

Entrance fee: The lowest out of three types

Monthly fees: Will guarantee access to the necessary services and care as they increase over time. However, expect to pay the going rate at the time. 

Benefit: Allows one to pay for only the services that are needed.

A Type D or "Rental" contract is one of the least expensive contracts in terms of initial fees. However, residents must pay full market rate for care and healthcare services, possibly making it the most expensive contracts over the long term.

Entrance fee: None to minimal entrance fee

Monthly fees: Will cover rent for the unit but any additional services will be billed at market rate. Support services will be available on-site but not necessarily guaranteed.

Benefit: Less financially prohibitive with a much lower or no entry fee.

Type E or "Equity/Co-Op" contracts are distinct from other contracts, in they allow ownership, either in the CCRC itself or of the house or apartment the resident lives in. Monthly service fees still apply though.

Entrance fee: In lieu of an entrance fee, the resident much buy his own residence or ownership within a co-op

Monthly fees: Can also be considered homeowners association dues. Residents will need to pay property taxes. Medical services would be paid as you go either at market rate or at a slight discount, or through a separate Type B or Type C contract.

Benefit: Opportunity for asset appreciation.

Usually, the entrance fee is not refunded should a resident decide to move elsewhere or passes away shortly after moving in. Popular variations of the above contracts would include either a 50% or 90% refund to the resident or the resident’s estate when the resident passes away. The higher the refund, the higher the entrance fee. 

The entrance fee, monthly fees, and contract types will all vary from one community to the next. Once you find a community you like, make sure you sit down with a financial advisor to see which option would be best for you.

Out of all the things that may be on your retirement checklist, Gaithersburg in Maryland is bound to tick several boxes as a great option to consider.

Out of all the things that may be on your retirement checklist, Gaithersburg, MD is bound to tick several boxes as a great option to consider when embarking on this next exciting chapter in your life. Over the years, Gaithersburg has consistently ranked in the top 25 best suburbs to retire by Forbes and other major outlets. With just over 64,000 residents, Gaithersburg is considered a suburb of Washington, D.C. and due to its location, it is one of the most economically and ethnically diverse areas in the Washington Metropolitan Area. With so many factors working in its favor, there are many reasons to consider spending your golden years in this inviting part of the county.

With four distinct seasons but no extreme weather conditions during any time of the year, Maryland hosts a mild climate for retirees to be able to enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle all year round. Its summers are warm but not unbearably hot, whilst in most of the state, its winters are mild with no extreme snowfall or dangerous temperatures. Gaithersburg is home to many parks and hosts an array of festivals and events throughout the year, all encouraging residents to spend time outdoors and get involved with their local community.

Maryland has some of the best healthcare services in the country. The Gaithersburg region is home to many continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) that pride themselves on their exceptional onsite healthcare services and their ability to look after residents no matter how their needs may change as they progress through retirement. With 16% of the state’s population aged 55 and older, there are ample retirement communities in this region to suit your individual healthcare requirements at present, and well into the future.

The state of Maryland supports a friendly tax climate for retirees by not taxing Social Security Benefits. Furthermore, taxpayers ages 65 and older can exclude up to $34,300 of federally-taxed income from their employee retirement plan. Maryland sales tax is also favorable for seniors, as groceries and prescription pharmaceuticals are exempt across the entire state. All of these policies will help reduce the daily cost of living for anyone looking to retire in this beautiful part of the country.

As a resident of Gaithersburg you will be fortunate to have access to many free and low-cost educational opportunities throughout the state of Maryland. The Golden ID Program at the University of Maryland offers free classes to residents aged 60 and above who can enroll in up to three free college classes held during Summer Session.The University of Maryland also offers a range of free online classes to residents of all ages. More specific to the Gaithersburg region, residents of Montgomery County aged 50 and older can choose from over 140 classes at Montgomery College’s Lifelong Learning Institute. And last but not least, Montgomery County Public Libraries offer free online courses for residents of all ages so you will have plenty of intellectually stimulating educational opportunities at your fingertips.

The various options of mass transit in this suburb will give you access to all that Washington D.C. and its surrounding areas have to offer. MARC Trains, Metrorail and Ride On Buses all offer senior discounts and provide easy ways to get around without the need to rely on having your own vehicle or using some of the communities’ scheduled transportation services. Riders 65 and older can use a Senior SmarTrip card to travel free or at a discounted rate on Metrorail, Metrobus, and Ride On Buses. Adults over 50 can also contact Connect-A-Ride (CAR) for information about their transportation options for medical services, errands, social activities and more. This free referral service links callers with public, private, and volunteer transportation services, including escorted transportation.

If Gaithersburg, MD or one of its surrounding neighborhoods is where you see yourself retiring, you may be blown away by your choices due to the high number of communities in this area. Kithward can help you narrow down your options by using our Advanced Search Filters to browse communities based on the criteria most important to you.

Top Reasons to Retire In and Around Gaithersburg, Maryland

Surrounded by coastal scenery, calming ocean breezes and beautiful weather year-round, Charleston, SC checks all the boxes for a wholesome retirement.

A recent study by personal finance website WalletHub compared affordability, quality of life, health care, and availability of recreational activities for seniors in more than 180 U.S. cities. It comes as no surprise that Charleston, South Carolina claimed the top spot as the best U.S. city to retire in 2022, with other popular retirement destinations in Florida and Arizona also making it into the top 10.

Charleston, SC has so much going for it! Surrounded by coastal scenery, calming ocean breezes and beautiful weather year-round, this highly sought-after region checks all the boxes for a wholesome retirement. To top things off, South Carolina offers some favorable senior tax breaks and a very affordable overall cost of living.

If you love the conveniences of city life, then Charleston is where you will thrive during your retirement years. With several top tier senior living communities in close proximity to the city center, you will have plenty of options to suit your preferences and budget. Live your best life at one of the many 55+ active adult communities, like Overture West Ashley, or plan for your long-term care needs in a continuing care retirement community, like the highly acclaimed Bishop Gadsden. One thing is for sure, this historic port city will not disappoint! Its deep southern roots are widely spread throughout the local community and can even be enjoyed in its stunning architecture and excellent cuisine.

Retirement Communities v. Assisted Living/Nursing Homes

Retirement Communities

Assisted Living/Memory Care/Nursing Homes

What to Consider When Evaluating a CCRC

What is “Aging in Place”?

Independent Living Communities by State