“Americans are living longer than ever, and that trend just might be the tipping point continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) need to be Baby Boomers’ No. 1 senior housing choice in the years to come.
“But first, Baby Boomers and those who assist them with retirement planning need to know what a CCRC is, which means providers must go beyond traditional avenues of marketing to both educate and attract tomorrow’s resident.
“‘The education surrounding CCRCs is poor,’ says Cathleen Toomey, vice president of marketing at New Hampshire-based CCRC RiverWoods, noting that the CCRC model is a perfect “sell” for Americans who are planning ahead. ‘My challenge is to first explain to people what a CCRC is and why it’s the perfect community for the person intending to live a longer, more vibrant life.’
“Life expectancy in the United States rose to 78.8 in 2012 — setting a record high. That number is an increase of 0.1 year from 78.7 years in 2011, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics.
“‘It’s hitting everybody that we’re living longer,’ Toomey says. ‘People have to let go of one major prejudice, which is in order to be independent you have to live in your home by yourself. That is very limiting. What happens when you have to stop driving at night? Or you can’t use the steps to get to the second floor or attic in your home? Your world becomes very small. But in a CCRC, you could be having dinner with somebody at a different restaurant every night.’”
To read this Senior Housing News article in its entirety, click here.
Click here or on the graphic below to learn more about the Continuing Care Retirement Community.
To see the list of continuing care retirement communities in the Berks-Lancaster-Lebanon Service Area, according to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department Website, click on the county below:
