According to the Assisted Living Federation of America, about 350,000 residents currently live in approximately 1,200 CCRCs across the United States. The number of residents in a CCRC varies, but the average is about 300 per facility, most of whom are elderly people leading active lifestyles and living in independent housing units. Residents may also receive physician, laboratory, and other care on site. Expenses for these and other medical services are reimbursable by Medicare on the same basis as for the elderly who do not live in CCRCs. CCRCs assess prospective residents health and financial status to ensure a fit with the offered services and required fees.
Residents commonly pay an initial entry fee to join in the community and a monthly fee thereafter.
These fees vary considerably depending on factors such as the level of financial risk for long-term care services, the size of the residential unit chosen, whether fees are for single individuals or couples, and the type of additional services and amenities provided. Learn more about how to pay for CCRC services. Many CCRCs promote good health for their residents by encouraging exercise, proper nutrition, and social involvement. Residents at many CCRCs are also strongly encouraged to walk and are offered three meals a day in common dining rooms, which encourages socialization and adequate consumption of healthy foods. Special diets may be provided and most CCRCs have dieticians available.