What does the term "continuing care retirement community" imply?

A "continuing care retirement community" (CCRC) is designed to provide a range of services and accommodations tailored to residents' changing needs as they age. This concept is integral because it allows individuals to start living independently, and as their health needs evolve, they can seamlessly transition to varying levels of care, including assisted living and skilled nursing, all within the same community campus.

This setup promotes not only the convenience of accessing different types of care without needing to relocate but also fosters a sense of community, enabling social interaction among residents at different stages of need. Each resident can remain connected with others, contributing to their overall well-being.

The other concepts do not encompass the comprehensive, flexible nature of a CCRC. For instance, rehab-focused care suggests a short-term, intensive treatment rather than the long-term support found in a CCRC. A community exclusively for independent living does not cater to escalating care needs. Likewise, a facility that only offers assisted living services lacks the full spectrum of care that a CCRC provides, thus failing to support residents over a range of healthcare requirements throughout their aging process.