What Is a Continuum of Care?

What is a Continuum of Care or Continuing Care Community?

In the realm of senior living, you may hear the terms Continuing Care, Continuum of Care, and often Continuing Care Retirement Community. These terms can often be confusing.

Continuing Care or Continuum of Care typically refers to a facility or group of facilities that offers various levels of care either on one campus or in multiple locations. Generally, the organization offers some type of priority to move from one level of care to another as an individual’s needs change.

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

In a Continuing Care Retirement Community, residents move in at the Independent Living level and, as their needs progress, they move along in the continuum, usually with a guarantee of placement.

With a CCRC there is generally a large upfront fee used to cover the cost of resident care through the levels in addition to a monthly fee. Some facilities may have additional life care fees. Essentially you are paying upfront for future anticipated care, similar to insurance. If you already have long-term care insurance that you have paid into for several years, a CCRC may not be the best option for you. Also, when entering into a CCRC you may be required to have a physical and be screened prior to being accepted into independent living.

Continuing Care Community

A Continuing Care Community is very similar to a CCRC, where various levels of care are available on one campus; however, you do not have to pay up front for your future care. You pay for each level of care when, and if, you need it.

Generally, in a Continuing Care Community, you may not be guaranteed placement, but you are given priority to the other levels of care on the campus. You also are not screened at an independent living level. If you have long-term care insurance, this type of community is ideal for you. You will have the peace of mind of knowing that you have priority access to all the levels of care you might need and that your long-term care insurance will help cover the cost.

The GreenFields is a Continuing Care Community in Lancaster.

GreenField Manor offers one- and two-bedroom residential apartment homes with nine styles to choose from. The kitchens are fully equipped with a refrigerator, range and dishwasher, and each apartment has its own washer and dryer and an emergency response system. Some styles offer a fireplace and a patio or balcony. The residents of GreenField Manor enjoy services such as one meal each day in the dining room, weekly housekeeping, transportation to medical appointments and grocery shopping, and an wide array of activities.

GreenField Court offers assisted living in studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments. Each apartment is equipped with a kitchenette and private bathroom. Included in the services are three meals each day served in a beautiful dining room, weekly housekeeping and laundry service, daily activities, transportation to medical appointments and grocery shopping, and 24-hour assistance with the activities of daily living and medication management.

Also on campus is GreenField Health & Rehabilitation Center, a licensed skilled nursing facility which provides 24-hour long term care, inpatient rehabilitation, aquatic therapy and outpatient therapy. It also offers respite care, which provides a short-term stay for someone whose caregiver needs a break from their duties for personal or medical reasons.

More and more people are choosing the option of a Continuum of Care. They like the idea of being able to move from one level to the next when they need it. The decision to move to a retirement community takes a great deal of research and consideration. Seniors and their loved ones do not want to do this every time their needs change and they need to move to another level. They want to make the decision once and know their needs will be taken care of by the same organization and staff that they have come to trust.

To learn more about The GreenFields Continuing Care Community or to discuss the benefits of a continuing care community, please call the Senior Living Department at (716) 684-8400.

Hear this topic as presented on WBEN radio.