Long-Term Care Alternatives:

Definition of Life Care Community. A continuing care requirement community (CCRC), or life care community, is a long-term care alternative providing a package of services, including housing, health care and social services, to the elderly. More specifically, a CCRCL (1) provides independent living units, either apartments, rooms or cottages; (2) guarantees a range of health care and social services, which may include intermediate or skilled nursing care, usually available on the premises; (3) requires some type of prepayment, generally an entrance fee and/or monthly fees; and (4) offers a contract that lasts for more than one year or for life and that describes the service obligations of the community and the financial obligations of the resident.