Types of Retirement Communities: Exploring Your Options

Imagine entering a chapter of life free from daily hassles and rich with new friendships and activities. As you consider retirement living options, are you looking for the best fit that combines comfort, community, and care for the future? Let us guide you through the diverse types of retirement communities, ensuring you find the perfect match for you and your family's aspirations.

When considering a move to a retirement community—whether in three months or three years—it is important to explore all your options. Maybe you are excited about the opportunity to make new friends and explore your interests. Or after decades of mowing the lawn, you might prioritize maintenance-free living. Perhaps having on-site access to top-notch, medical care, now and in the future, is your top concern.

You will quickly discover that there are various types of retirement communities available, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care, each designed to best serve different lifestyles and needs. With continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), like those managed by Erickson Senior Living, all levels of care are offered for peace of mind if needs change. 

It is essential to identify your goals for retirement and ensure you have all the necessary information to determine what community is right for you. With a little thoughtful consideration and research, the differences among the various options will become clear, allowing you to make an informed choice and feel confident in your decision.

Independent Living Communities

What Is Independent Living?

While most independent living communities provide some level of a worry-free lifestyle with minimal responsibilities and on-site amenities, not all retirement communities are structured the same way. 

Independent living neighborhoods at Erickson Senior Living communities are ideal for active older adults who want a maintenance-free lifestyle. They also boast an impressive array of amenities, clubs, and activities. 

Residents benefit from a single, predictable monthly bill that covers nearly all standard living expenses, including property taxes, utilities, and a flexible dining plan. This structure gives them greater control over their finances and peace of mind.

Erickson Senior Living communities are engaging by design. Residents have the freedom to pursue new hobbies, volunteer, spend time with new friends, and even travel. With numerous clubs and groups on campus, they can connect with neighbors who share similar interests or learn a new skill. 

Residents also have access to a variety of amenities and services, including fitness and aquatics centers, banks, restaurants, hair salons, convenience stores, and medical centers—all within the gated campuses. This design makes it easy for residents to maintain their independence.

What makes Erickson Senior Living communities stand out is the full spectrum of care options available right on campus. This unique approach allows residents to enjoy an independent, active lifestyle now, with the flexibility to transition between different levels of care as needed in the future.

For a deeper look, explore our guide to independent living.

Benefits of Independent Living Communities

When you move to an independent living neighborhood at an Erickson Senior Living community, there are no lawns to mow, leaves to rake, or decks to maintain. Staff members handle all maintenance, upkeep, and repairs. Residents no longer stress over typical worries and costs associated with home ownership, so they can make the most of their retirement years. 

And restaurants and cafes are just a short stroll away, meaning you no longer have to cook, if you don't want to. 

Because independent living communities are built around a vibrant, active lifestyle, residents also benefit from activities and on-site amenities that encourage engagement and fitness. From photography and birdwatching groups to fitness centers and exercise classes, it's easy to pursue a lifelong passion, try your hand at a new hobby, and enhance your well-being. 

For Erickson Senior Living residents like Jacki B. at Brooksby Village in Peabody, Massachusetts, having the free time to explore new interests and experiences is a refreshing change. 

"You're going to find people doing something you've never done, and you might want to try and find a new passion. And most of the activities are resident-inspired and resident-run," says Jacki.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)

What Is a CCRC?

Unlike 55-plus communities or life care communities, CCRCs, like those managed by Erickson Senior Living, provide independent living along with a continuum of care in one location. Should your health needs ever change, assisted living and memory care are available within the same community. All Erickson Senior Living campuses also have a team of full-time doctors and other health care providers, who work exclusively with residents at the on-site medical center.

CCRCs are typically organized into neighborhoods based on lifestyle and level of care. 

Unlike life care communities, where residents pay for care they may never need up front, CCRCs managed by Erickson Senior Living charge a onetime, refundable entrance fee along with a monthly service package. This monthly cost is generally lower than that of rental properties and covers most home expenses, including property taxes, utilities, all maintenance, and a flexible dining plan. 

Who Is a CCRC Best For?

CCRCs, including those offered by Erickson Senior Living, are ideal for retirees who want to enjoy an active, independent retirement today with peace of mind, knowing that their future health care needs can be met without moving again. 

"I wanted to live in a community where I would feel supported and taken care of. I made the decision to move sooner than planned, and I'm so glad that I did. There is so much to do," says Denise M., a resident of Windsor Run, an Erickson Senior Living community in Matthews, North Carolina. 

Consider the chance that, after years of living independently, you may need a little more help with daily activities, such as managing your medications, dressing, grooming, or preparing meals. As a resident of a CRCC, you could seamlessly transition to an assisted living neighborhood on campus, where that additional level of support would be provided.

Modeled after the independent living buildings on campus, Erickson Senior Living's assisted living neighborhoods also boast amenities and activities, promoting engagement and interaction.         

Key Features of CCRCs

CCRCs vary according to size, cost, and location, but they all offer the same key features:

Social connections: Easy access to on-site activities, clubs, and events is a significant benefit of CCRCs. Instead of being isolated in a house that no longer meets their needs, residents have ample opportunities to socialize and have fun while developing meaningful friendships. In fact, over two-thirds of CCRC residents reported that moving to a CCRC "somewhat or greatly improved" their social wellness, a concept that refers to a person's sense of connection and belonging within their community.

Dining: Various on-campus restaurants allow residents to savor nutritious, made-to-order meals without the hassles of grocery shopping, cooking, or washing dishes. Casual settings make it easy for singles or couples to be seated at open tables, facilitating new connections over dinner conversations.

On-site medical care: CCRCs have on-site medical centers staffed by physicians experienced in senior health care. Some even welcome visiting specialists. Continuing care health services, such as on-site rehabilitation, help residents maintain their independence and promote well-being. 

Moving to a CCRC offers peace of mind and puts you in the driver's seat. A CCRC may be the right choice for those looking to remain active and independent while feeling secure and confident about the future.

Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is ideal for retirees who value their independence but could benefit from support with daily activities like dressing, grooming, managing medications, and preparing meals. At Erickson Senior Living's assisted living neighborhoods, residents receive support and care catered to their needs from expert staff members in the comfort of their home.

What Is a Memory Care Community?

Memory care communities specialize in supporting those with Alzheimer's or dementia by providing structure and a sense of purpose. In these types of retirement communities, residents can participate in specialized programs and activities designed to meet their unique needs. Erickson Senior Living's memory care neighborhoods offer 24-hour support. 

How Memory Care Differs from Assisted Living

Although assisted living and memory care are both types of housing for seniors who need help day-to-day, there are important differences between the two. 

Assisted living is suited for those who need help with daily activities but are generally independent and do not have significant cognitive impairments. These residences strike a balance between independence and support. 

Memory care is designed for those experiencing advanced cognitive decline, such as those with Alzheimer's or dementia. Trained, expert staff at memory care communities provide specialized care in a secure environment tailored to those with cognitive challenges.

Choosing the Right Retirement Community for You

When searching for the right retirement community, it is important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Factors like lifestyle preferences, health care needs, social engagement, and financial planning are all important to consider.

If you're looking for a maintenance-free lifestyle and peace of mind in an amenity-rich community with an array of health care offerings, a CCRC managed by Erickson Senior Living might be the best choice for you. However, it's crucial to explore and research all the CCRC, independent living, assisted living, and memory care options near you, so you choose the community that's right for you and your future needs.

Erickson Senior Living offers a variety of independent living and long-term care options tailored to different needs, and our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way. 

Explore our diverse living options and discover the perfect retirement community for you by requesting a brochure or speaking to our team today. See all Erickson Senior Living community locations.