← Back to Blog

How Are Retirement Communities Different from Traditional Nursing Homes?

Friends toasting with glasses of wine

While attitudes are changing, it’s still not unusual for people to think of today’s senior living communities as nursing homes. That’s typically because of established societal stereotypes or because someone’s only experience with senior living is several decades old. But once you start doing your research you quickly learn the difference. So how is a nursing home different than a retirement community?  To help you choose the best option for yourself or a loved one, here are some definitions of each and a discussion of their differences.  

What Is a Nursing Home?

Nursing homes provide skilled, high-level residential care for seniors who have serious medical issues or chronic conditions that require 24-hour supervision. These are mostly used either by people who are admitted for short-term rehabilitation after hospitalization for a serious illness or surgery and those who have chronic injuries, limited mobility including being wheelchair-bound or have a diminished ability to eat on their own. 

What is a CCCRC?

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), also known as Life Plan Communities, offer higher levels of care, including the type of long-term care options you may typically think of a nursing home providing, like assisted living and skilled nursing care. But CCRCs also offer independent living along with a wide range of services and amenities not typically found in a nursing home.   

What is the Difference Between a Nursing Home and a CCRC?

Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, provide a wide range of health and personal care services. Their services focus more on medical care than most assisted living facilities or board and care homes. Services offered in a nursing home can include nursing care, 24-hour supervision, three meals a day and assistance with everyday activities. Rehabilitation services, such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, are also available. 

In many cases, people must pay for this level of care themselves. Medicare generally doesn’t cover long-term stays in a nursing home, but it may pay for some related costs, such as doctor services and medical supplies. However, Medicaid may cover some of the costs of nursing homes for people who are eligible based on income and personal resources. If you or your loved one have long-term care insurance, the policy may include some coverage for nursing home care. Check with the insurance company for details. 

What is the Difference Between a CCRC and a Nursing Home?

Because a CCRC provides a continuum of care, if you ever have a need for a nursing home, you can receive skilled nursing care in the same community you’ve already made your home. By that same token, when you graduate out of skilled nursing care, you can transition back to assisted living or even independent living, depending on which is most appropriate for your needs. The continuum of care swings both ways. 

As a Life Plan Community, Lake Port Square offers an independent lifestyle with services and amenities designed around living the life you love. Plus, with our Life Care contract, you’ll have peace of mind knowing a full continuum of high-quality care is available on-site, if you need it, at predictable monthly rates. 

Additional Benefits of a CCRC

At Lake Port Square we offer a range of floor plans: 

  • Studio 
  • One-bedroom 
  • Two-bedroom 

A variety of services and amenities: 

  • Maintenance-free residences 
  • Housekeeping and linen services 
  • Lawn care and grounds maintenance 
  • Fitness classes and wellness programs, including yoga 
  • Lifelong learning, discussions, classes and outings 
  • 78 acres of landscaped grounds and gardens within a certified nature preserve 
  • And more! 

And a continuum of on-site care, including: 

  • Independent living 
  • Assisted living 
  • Long- and short-term rehabilitation 
  • Skilled nursing 

See the Difference Lake Port Square Can Make in Your Life 

We were recently awarded the Joint Commission’s National Quality Seal of Approval and our higher levels of care and rehabilitation services are delivered by a multidisciplinary staff in a comfortable setting. For more information about our CCRC, the financial benefits of our Life Care option or to schedule a personal visit, use our Community Assistant chat feature or contact us here.