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Independent Living, Life Care

What is a Life Care Community?

If you’re one of the millions of older adults considering a move to a senior living community, or an adult child helping to find the best options for a parent, you should know about a trending term in senior living called Life Plan Communities. It’s worth noting that Friendship Village of South Hills has embraced this concept, though we use the term Life Care Community to describe our style of senior living. You’ll see the term Life Care throughout this article which details more about the concept, its benefits, and why the new term was created.

woman putting bedding on a bed

What Features Define a Life Care Community?

In a Life Care community like Friendship Village of South Hills, you enjoy a robust slate of social activities, services and amenities, along with independent living residences. You also enjoy the security of knowing you’ll have access to higher levels of care right where you live, if you ever need them. In other words, you can transition from independent living to assisted living and skilled nursing, as well as memory care, should your health needs change.

Life Care is an especially attractive option for couples. In a Life Care Community, even if partners are receiving different levels of care, they’ll always live close enough to be with each other as often as they like.

It’s a financial advantage as well. There are several types of community contracts, each with different contract terms and benefits.

Is Life Care Different Than Continuing Care?

The term is used interchangeably with an old acronym CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community). Industry experts began to realize that this label for long-term care doesn’t reflect the breadth of what today’s senior living communities focus on – that is living life independently and to the fullest your way, but with a safety and health care plan in place when and if you need it.

healthcare worker talking with a senior living resident

How Can I Benefit from Choosing a Life Care Community?

  • Multi-Level Care Where You Live – In communities offering Life Care, such as Friendship Village of South Hills, residents enjoy the security and comfort of knowing that when or if care needs increase, the higher levels of care you might require will be available right in the community.
  • Stable Monthly Expenses –  Once you become a Life Care community resident at Friendship Village of South Hills, your monthly costs will remain virtually the same, even if you move from independent living to a higher level of care. You’ll also enjoy significant savings on rising medical care costs, compared to the open market. No financial surprises takes a tremendous pressure off your shoulders. You’ll be able to live your best life and be prepared for any health care need you may have in the future.
  • A Worry-Free Way to Age in Place – The prospect of moving each time you need a higher level of care isn’t just inconvenient, it can be distressing for you and your family. When you choose to retire at a Life Care community, you can enjoy a worry-free life knowing you can establish roots, develop deep friendships, and age in place in a high- quality, caring community.

A Life Care Community just makes good sense for any senior who wants to make the most of their retirement years. When you’re surrounded by team members and friends who share your passion for life and your desire to remain independent and carefree, there’s no better place to be.

Learn More About Our Life Care Community

At Friendship Village of South Hills, we’re focused on helping you live a full, active and independent life. As a Life Care community, we also provide the security and peace of mind of knowing that higher levels of care will be available to you if needed, all in one location. If you’d like to learn more about Life Care and what’s included, simply complete the contact form at the bottom of this page and we’ll be in touch.

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