Texas continuing care retirement communities (CCRC)

Find CCRCs In Texas

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. Depending on your location and specific needs your options may vary. Since many sponsors of CCRCs include religious, fraternal and community organizations, and other companies involved with developing these retirement communities, they often imbue their philosophies and ideals within the communities.

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.

Recreation and Attractions in Texas

As the official sport of Texas, rodeo keeps the cowboy culture alive at events like the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. State fairs are also a favorite pastime of Texans, complete with barbecue cook-offs, amusement rides, and plenty more to enjoy. If you're interested in checking out some other sports, stop by a Dallas Cowboys or Houston Astros game.

Texas Climate, Geography, and Culture

The culture of Texas has been described as a melting pot of the American South, West, and North. Bordering Mexico, Texas has also long been influenced by the ancient civilizations of the Mayans, eventually becoming home to communities from Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Africa, and southern Anglo populations. Along with historic tribes of Native Americans and a Cajun influence in East Texas, this state has an incredibly diverse history. Texas' climate varies depending on the area. From humid, to breezy and cool, you can expect a variety of weather patterns to make their way across the Lone Star State.

Texas CCRC Laws and Regulations

Don't worry, there's a new sheriff in town designated to keep CCRC's in line. The sheriff is the Texas government, and all rules and regulations regarding CCRC's can be found here. These regulations are designed to make sure CCRC's are not taking advantage of you financially or breaking any other rules.

Crime and Safety in Texas

Overall, both the violent and property crime rates in Texas are only slightly higher than the national average. But crimes per square mile are less than many other states, so finding a safe location for you or your elderly loved is very possible. Below are some of the safest cities found throughout Texas.

Location	Violent Crimes Per 1,000 Residents	Property Crimes Per 1,000 Residents
Murphy	.2	6.3
Colleyville	.37	7.16
Highland Village	.5	7.1

(source: safewise.com)

Payment and Costs for CCRCs in Texas

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 an entrance fee based on the most recent data is $248,000, and this price is expected to continue to fluctuate based on local housing prices.

The type of contract entered into by the resident will include a monthly maintenance fee costing between $300 and $4,500 or more depending on which services are utilized. 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 necessary 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. These 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 and Elderly Rights For Continued Care in Texas

Just because your loved one is entering a CCRC, does not mean that all their rights have gone by the wayside. In fact, there are state and federal laws in place to make sure that your loved one is treated with the dignity and care he or she deserves. Coupled with Texas’s diverse attractions and high-quality communities, your move to a CCRC can be the perfect chance to retire comfortably. If you do feel like your rights have been violated, feel free to contact a legal representative.

TX Continued Care: Medical Record Rules and Regulations

Residents receiving senior care or any other type of medical attention in Texas are entitled to a comprehensive and accurate 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 10 years and can be accessed by submitting a request and providing a small fee.