Dear Savvy Senior ,

Can you help me identify some good senior living communities that offer all levels of housing and care from independent living to nursing home care ? I am in my late 70s and know I need to downsize from my current house , but I want my next move to be my last .

One Move Mary Dear Mary ,

If you want your next move to be your last , an all-inclusive retirement community — also known as a continuing-care retirement community or CCRC — is a great option to consider . Here ’ s what you should know , along with some tips to help you locate one .

What are CCRCs ?

CCRCs are different from other types of senior housing because they provide

all levels of housing , services and care in one convenient location .

While the appearance and services of CCRCs can vary greatly , most provide apartments or sometimes single-family homes for active independent seniors . In addition , they also offer onsite assisted living for seniors who require help with basic living tasks like bathing , dressing or going to the bathroom and nursing home care for residents when their health declines .

CCRCs also provide a variety of resort-style amenities and services that include community dining halls , exercise facilities , housekeeping , transportation

, and many social and recreational activities .

But be aware all these services come at a hefty price . Most communities have entry fees that range from less than $ 100,000 to more than $ 1 million , plus ongoing monthly fees that generally range from $ 2,000- $ 5,000 for singles and $ 3,000- $ 6,000 for couples , depending on the facility , services and the contract option you choose .

With more than 2,000 CCRCs in operation throughout the U . S ., finding a facility that fits your lifestyle , needs and budget will require some legwork . Here are some steps that can help you proceed .

Make a list

To find CCRCs in the area you want to live , go to www . MyLifeSite . net and www . Caring . com , which

provide online lists . Once you ’ ve located a few , call them to find out if they have any vacancies , what they charge and if they provide the types of services you want .

Take a tour

Many CCRCs encourage potential residents to stay overnight and have a few meals in their dining hall . During your visit , notice the upkeep of the facility and talk to the current residents to see how they like living there . Also , check out the assisted living and nursing facilities and find out how decisions are made to move residents from one level of care to another .

Do some research

While on your tour , find out who owns the CCRC , get a copy of their most recently audited

financial statement and review it . Also find out their occupancy rate . Unless it ’ s a newer community filling up , occupancy below 80 % can be a red flag that the facility is having financial or management problems . To investigate the CCRC ’ s long-term care services , call your state long-term care ombudsman ( see www . LTCombudsman . org ), who can tell you if the assisted living and nursing care services had any complaints or problems . You also can use Medicare ’ s nursing home compare tool at www . Medicare . gov / care-compare .

Understand the contract and fees

Most CCRCs offer three types of contracts : life-care or Type A contracts , which have the highest entry fee but cover

all levels of long-term care as needed ; Type B or modified contracts , which have lower entry fees but limit long-term care services in the initial fee ; and Type C or fee-for-service contracts , which offer the lowest entrance fees but require you to pay extra for long-term care if you need it .

You also need to find out what yearly price increases you can expect . How much of your entry fee is refundable to you if you move or die ? And what happens if you outlive your financial resources ?

To help you sort through all this , consult with your financial adviser or lawyer before committing .

Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior , P . O . Box 5443 , Norman , OK 73070 , or visit www . SavvySenior . org .

BULLETIN

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MISCELLANEOUS

• Coshocton County Vietnam Veterans meeting at AmVets second Saturday each month at 9 a . m . Breakfast at 8 a . m . for those who would like to purchase their breakfast .

• Coshocton Elks hosting Justin Geisey to perform April 19 from 7-10 p . m . and pizza night April 26 from 6-8 p . m . with Three Rivers Trio performing from 7-10 p . m .

• Kid-led vendor event April 27 from 10 a . m . to 1 p . m . at Burt Park in West Lafayette . Ridgewood third-grade students created their own business for their profit .

• Ohio Means Jobs Coshocton County annual in-demand job fair Thursday , May 9 from 11 a . m . to 3 p . m . at Coshocton Village Inn & Suites .

• Clary Gardens hosting Split & Share Plant Swap May 16 from 4-6 p . m .

• River View High School Class of 1974 putting together 50th reunion and in need of addresses . Text 740-502-0311

or 740-502-4643 to update address . Reunion Saturday , May 25 . Rooms booked off at Coshocton Village Inn and Suites for out-of-town people .

• Coshocton Hot Air Balloon Festival committee looking for craft and merchandise vendors interested in participating in this year ’ s festival June 6-8 . Vendors must have commercial liability insurance . Call Nancy Zeigler at 740-502-4294 .

• River View High School Class of ‘ 79 planning 45th reunion for June 29 in Coshocton . Class members should email letsgobucks28 @ gmail . com to update contact information .

PUBLIC MEETINGS

• Village of Nellie Council meeting third Monday each month at 7:30 p . m . in Council Hall on Second Street .

• Village of West Lafayette Council meets second and fourth Monday each month at 7 p . m . in council chambers , 115 E . Railroad St .

• Three Rivers Fire District of Coshocton County regular meetings third Thursday each month at 7:30 p . m . at 24199

state Route 621 , Coshocton .

• Bedford Township Board of Trustees meeting last Thursday each month at 7 p . m . at Township Hall in Tunnel Hill .

• Coshocton Metropolitan Housing Authority board meetings last Tuesday each month at 4 p . m . in CMHA Family Center , 823 Magnolia St ., Coshocton .

• Coshocton County JVSD Board of Education meeting third Thursday each month at 7:30 a . m ., except December when on second Thursday , at Board of Education Conference Room , 23640 Airport Road , Coshocton .

• River View Board of Education meeting third Tuesday each month at 5 p . m . in the administration building , except May 21 , when it will meet in the high school library .

• Coshocton County JVSD board meetings third Thursday each month at 7:30 a . m . at Board of Education Conference Room , 23640 Airport Road , Coshocton , except June 27 and Dec . 12 .

SOCIAL EVENTS

• Tunnel Hill Community Center , 112 E . Maple St ., Stone

Creek , quilting lessons every Tuesday from 1-4 p . m . Clogging every Tuesday from 6-8 p . m . Door fee $ 5 . Text Pauline at 330-795-5057 . Clogging lessons every Tuesday from 5-6 p . m .

• Coal Haulers Breakfast for everyone who worked around the coal trucks May 4 at 8 a . m . at Moose Lodge on West Main Street in Coshocton .

SUPPORT GROUPS

• Cooperdale Naz Recovery Wednesdays at 6:30 p . m . Men ’ s open share at Cooperdale Church of the Nazarene , 17816 OH-60 , Dresden . Call 740-502- 9672 or email cnazrecovery @ gmail . com .

• First Step co-hosting The Healing Journey from Sexual Assault support group every Tuesday at 6 p . m . at the First Step office at 647 Locust St . in Coshocton .

• Kinship Care Support Group first Monday every month from 9-10:30 a . m . at Coshocton Baptist Church , 1631 Denman Ave ., Coshocton . Call Barb at 740-502-4681 or Jeff at 740- 610-3880 .

• Chili Crossroads Simple

Steps Recovery meeting at Coshocton Career Center every Friday at 7 p . m . Free with childcare and pizza provided . Transportation available . Call or text 740-908-4311 or visit www . chilicrossroads . org / SimpleSteps .

• Simple Steps every Friday at 7 p . m . at Coshocton County Career Center .

• GriefShare Support meetings second and fourth Thursday each month at 1 p . m . at Central Christian Church , 731 Main St ., Coshocton . Call 740-622-0288 .

VOLUNTEERS

• Interim Hospice seeking community volunteers for volunteer program for Coshocton , Holmes and Tuscarawas county areas . Specific assignments based on patients ’ needs and volunteers ’ availability and interests . Call Interim Hospice at 740-623-2331 .

• COAD / Retired Seniors Volunteer Program seeking volunteers . Call Elaine Wilson at 330-204-4347 .