Florida continuing care retirement communities (CCRC)

CCRCs in Florida

Continuing care retirement communities are retirement communities with accommodations for independent living, assisted living, and nursing home care, offering residents a continuum of care. The communities ensure a dignified place for your or your senior to stay. Although there is no overarching federal agency that regulates retirement communities, the private non-profit organization CARF-CCAC provides a voluntary process for individual CCRCs to become accredited. Although this process is very expensive and lengthy, communities that are accredited by CARF-CCAC can usually be considered of higher quality and standing than others.

Recreation and Attractions in Florida

The Sunshine State offers a myriad of senior citizen-tailored activities and communities, making your transition to a skilled nursing community as effortless as possible. Residents can visit pre-Civil War era locations like Fort Pickens National Park and other historic U.S. Naval bases, or the Tallahassee Museum for a glimpse at authentic Floridian culture and wildlife.

Florida's Climate, Geography, and Culture

Year-round warm weather and white, sandy beaches are hard to pass up. With minimal state taxes, Florida boasts one of the largest populations of retirees. You'll have no trouble finding peers looking to enjoy the relaxation in the sunshine. During hurricane season, it has been known to get a little dangerous, but the proper insurance and a solid facility will put your mind ease.

Florida's CCRC Regulations and Laws

Florida has rules and regulations to outline what CCRC's can and cannot do. This is in place so you or your loved one are not taken advantage of both physically or financially. CCRC's are inspected on a regular basis to ensure that they are providing a safe and healthy environment for you or your senior.

Crime and Safety in Florida

Both violent and property crimes are slightly higher in Florida compared to the national average. Additionally, crimes per square mile are about twice that of most other states, most likely due to heavy tourism in big cities like Miami and Orlando. To make the most of your long-term care option and investment, it can be a good idea to consider which areas are safer than others.

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Parkland	6.51	15
Marco Island	.29	6.79
Weston	.68	5.86

Payment and Costs for CCRCs in Florida

The payment plans will differ at each CCRC, however, large entrance fees are to be expected and can range anywhere from $30,000 to $500,000 and even up to $1 million at a single time depending on your contract and location. The national average cost of entrance is expected to continue to fluctuate based on local housing prices.

Some residents may choose a buy-in option, meaning they join the community through buying an actual property. Whether you buy a property or not, it’s still important to look out for any additional maintenance or service fees before signing a contract.

The difference in prices is largely a result of the type of contract residents enter into, as well as their individual health care costs and possible Medicare or Medicaid coverage.

Extensive Contracts – Guarantee a lifetime of housing and care at any and all levels provided by the community. They also include monthly fees in exchange for a wide range of services. Because there is a relatively lower degree of risk, the upfront costs are much higher.
1. Entry Fee: $160,000 - $600,000
2. Monthly Fee: $2,500 - $5,400
Modified Contracts – Modified contracts only extend to a set number of days. After exceeding this limit, services are paid for out of pocket by the resident. Monthly fees are also still charged at an ongoing rate.
1. Entry Fee: $80,000 - $750,000
2. Monthly Fee: $1,500 - $2,500
Fee-For-Service Contracts – Residents only pay for the services they currently use, however, are not safeguarded from any future changes in pricing or service availability. Most of the financial burden is born by the resident, depending on Medicare or Medicaid eligibility. These are considered to be the contracts with the highest risk, even though their upfront costs are the lowest.
1. Entry Fee: $100,000 - $500,000
2. Monthly Fee: $1,300 - $4,300
Rental Agreements – Allow residents the ability to rent a housing unit on a monthly or annual basis. This type of contract does not guarantee access to health care on a fee-for-service basis, unlike other agreements.
1. Entry Fee: $1,800 - $30,000
2. Monthly Fee: $900 - $10,700
Equity Agreements – Shares of the community or association are afforded to individuals by the transferal of actual home, condominium, or townhome ownership within the CCRC. Healthcare services can still be purchased for additional fees. Through an equity agreement, the property’s appreciation benefits the individual or their estate as specified by the terms of the contract. This type of agreement relies heavily on the fluctuations of real estate in the area.

From a Report by The U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Senior & Elderly Rights for Continuing Care in Florida

Entering a Florida CCRC doesn’t mean your rights as United States citizen are left behind. The Constitution and Bill of Rights guarantee that your freedoms, privacy, and ability to act autonomously are preserved while receiving care at the community's various levels. Although CCRCs are the most expensive senior care option available, they are ideal for people who would like to retain an independent lifestyle. Coupled with Florida’s bountiful sunshine and beaches, your move to a CCRC can be the perfect chance to retire comfortably.

Florida Continuing Care: Medical Record Rules & Regulations

Residents receiving any type of medical attention in Florida are entitled to a comprehensive record of their diagnosis and treatment. State and federal laws provide that residents have access to their records and health information, as well as the right to know when disclosures have been made. Otherwise, these records are to remain confidential for up to 7 years and can be accessed by submitting a request and providing a small fee.