What questions should we ask when considering a continuing care retirement community?
1. Contracts, Costs & Financial Stability 💰
These are the make-or-break questions.
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What type of contract is offered (Type A/Life Care, Type B/Modified, Type C/Fee-for-Service)?
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What’s included in the entrance fee—and what’s not?
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How do monthly fees change over time? What were the increases over the last 5–10 years?
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Are there additional charges for higher levels of care?
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Is any portion of the entrance fee refundable? Under what conditions?
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What happens financially if one spouse needs higher care and the other doesn’t?
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Can we see audited financial statements for the past few years?
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Is the community nonprofit or for-profit, and how does that affect fees?
👉 Quietly crucial: Ask how many residents have moved out due to cost increases.
2. Healthcare & Levels of Care 🏥
You’re not just buying today—you’re buying future options.
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What levels of care are available on campus (independent, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing)?
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Is care guaranteed if health declines, or is admission based on availability?
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How are care needs assessed, and how often?
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Are doctors, nurses, and therapists on site? 24/7?
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Can residents use outside healthcare providers if they prefer?
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How does memory care work, and when is it recommended?
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What happens if the community can’t meet a resident’s care needs?
3. Staffing & Quality of Care 👩⚕️
This tells you more than the marketing brochure ever will.
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What’s the staff-to-resident ratio in each level of care?
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What is staff turnover like?
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How are staff trained, especially for dementia and end-of-life care?
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Are staff assigned consistently or rotated?
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How are concerns or complaints handled—and how quickly?
Tip: Watch how staff interact with residents when they don’t think they’re being observed.
4. Lifestyle, Culture & Daily Life 🌿
This is where “on paper” and “in real life” often diverge.
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What does a typical day look like for residents?
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How much choice do residents have in schedules, meals, and activities?
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Are there activities for different energy levels and interests?
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How are new residents integrated socially?
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What’s the general vibe—formal, casual, quiet, lively?
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Are residents involved in decision-making or committees?
If possible: eat a meal there. It tells you a lot.
5. Housing & Campus 🏠
Make sure it works for both now and later.
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What apartment sizes and layouts are available?
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Can units be modified for mobility needs?
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What happens if we need to move to a different unit or care level?
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Is maintenance included, and how fast are repairs handled?
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How walkable and accessible is the campus?
6. Policies, Flexibility & “What Ifs” ⚖️
These questions surface surprises.
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What happens if we want to leave?
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What if one spouse passes away—can the other stay?
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Are there rules about guests, pets, or caregivers?
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How are disputes resolved?
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What circumstances could cause a resident to be asked to leave?
7. Reputation & Resident Experience 🗣️
The real truth lives here.
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Can we speak with current residents (not just the “ambassadors”)?
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How long have most residents lived here?
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What do residents say they wish they’d known before moving in?
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How did the community handle recent crises or emergencies?
Pro move
Bring a notebook and write down not just answers, but tone—hesitation, defensiveness, or over-polished responses are all data.