FAQ

A CCRC Life Plan Community is a continuing care retirement community. In other words, it is a place where you can move to as you reach retirement and get additional care if your needs change during your stay there. Typically, most people move into residential living options and then transition to a building or apartment that offers more medical care within the same community.

Some CCRCs provide personal care, rehabilitation care, and skilled nursing options. Others may have in-home health services or assisted living options for those who require more attention at the care facility.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities throughout Lancaster County have partnered to offer an annual open house to make it easy for individuals to visit multiple communities in one day without having to schedule appointments. Many people enjoy bringing family members and friends to see the neighborhoods, talk with staff and visit with residents to ask questions about their personal experiences.

It’s the perfect way to check out the places that interest you in a casual, informal setting. After the event, we encourage you to set up appointments at communities you would like to visit again to receive the personalized attention you deserve in selecting the location that is the best fit for you!

The answer to this question varies depending on each community, but usually, the youngest residents are between 55-65 years of age. If you are younger than the required age for moving in, there is no harm in planning or scoping out possible retirement locations now or looking for other family members who may meet the age requirements!

You will find that most of the senior living communities in Lancaster, PA, offer some type of meal plan. Some are an additional cost, and others are a part of the care facility’s monthly fee. Check with each community for specific details on their meal plan offerings.

The entrance fee is a lump sum of money that you use to purchase a life lease on your home in the community. Some communities offer different refundable entrance fee options, and some also have rentals.

For CCRCs in Lancaster County, entrance fees can range from $24,000 for a studio/efficiency apartment up to $497,000 for a three-bedroom townhome. Some of these communities offer refund plans or other compensation methods if you move out of the community. Discuss any questions you may have about the costs of moving into a community when exploring your options!

Although it may vary somewhat from one community to the next, most monthly service fees include utilities, water, sewer, trash removal, security, opportunities for social engagement, home maintenance, grounds upkeep, lawn care, and snow removal. These are in addition to the cost of keeping up the home or apartment in which you are living.

If you live in a personal care, skilled nursing, or rehabilitative care facility, you may be paying a daily fee that includes the cost of providing care. Again, please check with each community for specific details about their fees and what’s covered monthly versus daily.

Sometimes, we outlive the means we have acquired during our lifetimes to afford our retirement years. Because many of the CCRCs in Lancaster, PA, are non-profit, they may have options for residents who can no longer afford their stay.

Most communities have provisions if you experience financial hardship or outlive your financial resources. Please speak with the communities you are interested in to discuss what would happen in your specific case if you were to run out of money while living there.

Communities frequently offer scheduled transportation to local shopping centers, doctor’s offices, grocery stores, and entertainment venues. Depending on the community, they may also provide on-demand transportation options.

The ability to move through the continuum of care offered in the community you live in is one of the most significant advantages of planning and moving to a community while still being independent. Expertly trained team members are available to help you through the process of transitioning to an area where you can access more care as needed.

If you want more information about the different locations, start by visiting the websites of the different CCRCs in Lancaster, PA. You can find links to their websites by visiting our Community page. If you like to learn more in person, attending the annual Explore Retirement Living Open House may be a good opportunity for you. Finally, consider scheduling an individual visit to the senior living communities in Lancaster, PA, that interest you most after researching online and in person.