If you’re retired or planning for retirement, choosing the right senior living option is an important decision. Two popular choices are 55+ communities and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs).
While both support active, independent lifestyles, the key difference is this: CCRCs provide a full continuum of care, allowing you to age in place without moving again.
Below, we break down what each option offers so you can confidently decide which best fits your current and future needs.
What Is a 55+ Community?
A 55+ community is an age-restricted neighborhood designed for active older adults who do not require personal or medical care. They do have some beneficial features, including:
- On-site activities. Most 55+ communities offer on-site activities such as classes, hobby workshops, and fitness programs.
- Convenient location. Many of these senior living campuses are located near amenities like shopping, dining, medical centers, and entertainment. This makes it easier for seniors to run errands, eat out, attend appointments and events, and live full lives without the need for a long drive.
- Inclusive maintenance packages. Age-restricted communities typically provide maintenance services like landscaping, security, and exterior home maintenance, all for one simple monthly fee.
What Is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)?
A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) offers multiple levels of senior living—including independent living, personal care or assisted living, and skilled nursing—on one campus. They offer one-stop shopping for all your current and future retirement needs, including the following:
- Everything 55+ communities offer. Because CCRCs cater to independent seniors as well as those who need daily care, you’ll find all the same amenities at a CCRC that you would in an age-restricted community—and more. This includes activities, a vibrant social life, easy access to local destinations, fitness centers, eateries, salons, peace and quiet, security, outdoor maintenance, and more.
- On-campus amenities. Unlike 55+ communities, CCRCs have many of the amenities you need for an active and activity-packed lifestyle right on the same campus. This means you can walk rather than drive to the fitness center or café and skip stressors like traffic, roadwork, and accidents.
- Transportation. If you own a car and are comfortable driving, you are always free to take your own transportation at a CCRC. However, for those who want to skip the hassle and expense of car ownership (or even for those who simply prefer not to drive in bad weather), many CCRCs offer chauffeured transport to residents. You can simply call the front desk to arrange it (sometimes for a fee), and easily get anywhere in the surrounding community.
- Customized personal assistance. Although CCRCs encourage independent living to the extent possible, most also offer personal assistance services or in-home care tailored to the needs and wishes of each resident. Whether you’d simply prefer that someone else cook or do laundry, or you need consistent medical or personal care support, CCRCs can give you just the right amount of help.
- On-site medical care. One of the greatest advantages of CCRC life is that medical care is right on campus when you need it. Healthcare facilities and staff offer a wide range of essential medical services, such as nurse calls to your home, various forms of therapy, nutritional counseling, and more.
- One home for all your current and future needs. CCRCs offer customized living options for all stages of your senior life: independent living, personal care or assisted living, and skilled care. A major downside of 55+ communities is that they only cater to seniors in the first category, necessitating another move when you need a higher level of service and care. At a CCRC, you can seamlessly increase your care right where you are—without the stress, hassle, and expense of finding and moving to a new senior community.
55+ Communities vs. CCRCs: Key Differences at a Glance
| |
55+ Community |
CCRC |
| Care Services |
No personal or medical care |
On-site care available as needs change |
| Future Moves Required |
Yes, if care is needed |
No, age in place |
| Medical Access |
Off-site only |
On-campus healthcare services |
| Best For |
Active seniors with minimal future care concerns |
Seniors planning long-term peace of mind |
Frequently Asked Questions About 55+ Communities and CCRCs
Q: What is the biggest difference between a 55+ community and a CCRC?
A: The biggest difference is access to care. CCRCs offer on-site personal and medical care as needs change, while 55+ communities do not.
Q: Are CCRCs only for people who need care right away?
A: No. Most residents move into CCRCs while fully independent and choose them to supplement their present wellness and long-term peace of mind.
Q: Is a CCRC worth it if I’m healthy now?
A: Many seniors choose CCRCs while healthy to avoid future moves, ensure access to care if it’s ever needed, and enjoy the many amenities and active lifestyle of CCRCs.
Meet All Your Senior Community Needs in One Place With Chapel Pointe
Chapel Pointe is a faith-based CCRC serving adults 62+ in Central Pennsylvania. Located on eight beautifully landscaped acres in Carlisle, PA, our nonprofit community allows residents to enjoy independent living today while having access to personal care and skilled nursing if needs change in the future.
We’re honored that our greater community sees the servant-heart of our nonprofit organization and consistently selects Chapel Pointe as “The Best of Cumberland County.”
Since the beginning, our team's mission has been to ensure that every resident is treated with love and the utmost respect. Experiencing our core values—trust, integrity, faith, service, and innovation—lived out every day at Chapel Pointe reassures seniors that they are making the right decision by welcoming us into their lives. Schedule a visit to see how Chapel Pointe supports independent living today and peace of mind for tomorrow.