Find the Right CCRC for Yourself or a Loved One

The number of books about American retirement communities is rising. But such books remain few and their quality and ways of presenting their subject are all over the map. There are several good things to say about FIND THE RIGHT CCRC FOR YOURSELF OR LOVED ONE by Ruth Alvarez. Its subtitle is WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES ... aka CCRCs. Like its earlier compeitors, this book gives a bit of history of life-to-death-care retirement communities and how they are now regulated (or not) by Washington and the States. *** Ms Alvarez, a retired real estate agent now living in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) herself, helps readers decide for themselves or their parents or siblings whether and why to opt for this more pampered and definitely not inexpensive life style, with its paid staff who are responsible for mowing your grass, replacing your roof, preparing all or some of your meals and keeping you fit, amused and assuring a well attended hospital bed for you in health care should you ever need it. *** The author also suggests formulas to help us readers decide whether our income is more than enough to cover our entry and monthly CCCR costs, firmly stresses our need to make sure that a particular retirement home is financially sound, and Ms Alvarez also points out a number of things one might easily overlook doing during an orientation visit. *** Unlike some, Ruth Alvarez's book does not gush, nor drown us with details of the author's painful searches and anguished mistakes during a minutely detailed search for the perfect retirement Eden. FIND THE RIGHT CCRC has rather the feel of a long, dry but not boring check list of dos and don'ts, all worth knowing. *** The book is and feels "up to date," with statistics and facts about current trends in American demographics and in policies that States, Congress and Obamacare are likely to push soon for the retirement community arena. One example of several things I read about for the first time in Ms Alvarez is the rise in "affinity communities," e.g. for Catholics, Armed Forces retirees, same university alumni, etc. In that context she also cautions gay and lesbian retirees that while the law may prevent management of a retirement community from openly discriminating against them, "legal doesn't necessarily equate to welcoming, however" (p.51). Thoroughly check out therefore a particular CCRC in advance before you and a same sex partner go to all the expenses of moving into what may be de facto a cold, unwelcoming set of residents. Or just do as many do and pretend that your partner is a brother or sister! *** Another point: during your exploratory visits to CCRCs, see how well or ill management treats and respects it staff! *** FIND THE RIGHT CCRC FOR YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE is as good an introductory book to an increasingly important segment of American living as you are likely currently to find. Enjoy learning from it. -OOO-http://www.biblio.com/books/579486103.html