What Is a Continuing Care Retirement Community?
A continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also called a life plan community, is a type of senior living community designed to offer multiple levels of living and care on one campus. This typically includes independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing, allowing residents to remain in a familiar environment with access to additional support as needs change.
For many people and their families, that continuity matters. It allows residents to stay connected to the same neighbors, routines, and community life while gaining peace of mind about the future.
At Pilgrim Place, that model is paired with a values-driven community in Claremont, California, where daily life is shaped not only by services and support, but also by purpose, connection, lifelong learning, and a strong sense of belonging.
Residents also benefit from a walkable campus and close proximity to the Claremont Colleges, supporting an intellectually engaged and culturally rich community life.
What You Need to Know
A CCRC supports aging in place: Residents can begin in independent living and access higher levels of care on the same campus if needs change.
Continuity matters: Remaining in one community can reduce disruption for both residents and families.
Costs are structured differently than in traditional senior housing: CCRCs often involve an entrance fee and monthly fees rather than rent alone.
At Pilgrim Place, pricing depends on residence size and living arrangement: Entrance fees and monthly fees vary based on square footage, amenities, and occupancy.
Availability is tied to fit, not just vacancy: A home may be available, but the right home for a person’s preferred size and budget may not be.
Asking the right questions is essential: Comparing communities means looking at care, culture, pricing, and long-term planning together.
How Levels of Care Are Organized on a Single Campus
A continuing care retirement community is designed so that different levels of living and care exist within one community. This structure allows residents to remain in the same broader environment even as care needs evolve.
At Pilgrim Place, this continuum includes independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing, all within one connected campus. For residents and families, this provides a greater sense of stability because planning for the future happens within one community rather than across multiple moves.
Independent Living
Independent living is designed for those who want an active, maintenance-free lifestyle within a community setting. Residents live in private residences and enjoy access to dining, programs, services, and community amenities without needing daily personal care.
At Pilgrim Place, independent living serves as the entry point for new residents. Homes vary in size, and both entrance fees and monthly fees are tied to square footage and occupancy.
Assisted Living
Assisted living provides support with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, while still promoting independence.
At Pilgrim Place, assisted living is part of the broader continuum of care, allowing residents to receive additional support while remaining in the same familiar community.
Skilled Nursing & Higher Levels of Care
A defining feature of a continuing care retirement community is the ability to access additional support over time without leaving the community.
At Pilgrim Place, residents can transition to higher levels of care if their needs change, allowing them to remain in a familiar environment with established relationships and routines. This continuity can reduce the stress and uncertainty that often comes with relocating during a time of increased care needs.
Rather than planning for multiple moves, a CCRC offers a more stable, long-term approach to living and care.
How Contracts and Costs Work: Entrance Fees, Monthly Fees, and Options
Understanding how pricing works is one of the most important parts of evaluating a continuing care retirement community.
At Pilgrim Place, costs are generally made up of two parts: a one-time entrance fee and an ongoing monthly fee. The entrance fee is based on the size and amenities of the residence selected. Current residences range from approximately 600 to 1,800 square feet, with pricing tied directly to square footage and occupancy.
Pilgrim Place offers two primary entrance fee structures:
A non-refundable entrance fee
A 50% deferred repayment entrance fee, with 50% payable to one’s estate or upon leaving the community
Monthly fees are separate and include rent, residential fees, and dining fees. These amounts vary by unit size and occupancy, and residents should also expect direct utility costs for services such as gas, electricity, television, and telephone.
For independent living, estimated monthly fees currently range from approximately $3,096 to $7,878, depending on square footage and occupancy. Entrance fees range from roughly $285,000 to $950,000 under the non-refundable structure, with higher amounts under the deferred repayment option.
One important distinction is that availability is not simply about whether a home is open. At Pilgrim Place, availability is also tied to which residence sizes are currently available and whether those options align with a prospective resident’s budget and preferences.
For that reason, comparing CCRCs should involve more than looking at a single starting number. It is important to understand how pricing works over time, what is included in monthly fees, and how different residence sizes affect both entrance and ongoing costs.
What to Ask When Comparing a CCRC
When evaluating a continuing care retirement community, it helps to ask practical questions that go beyond marketing materials.
Some of the most useful questions include:
What levels of care are available on campus?
How does pricing work for different residence sizes?
What entrance fee options are available?
What is included in the monthly fee?
How does availability work for the type of residence I want?
How are future care needs handled within the community?
What makes the community culture distinct?
These questions can help you compare communities not just on price, but on long-term fit.
How CCRCs Compare With Other Senior Living Options
A continuing care retirement community is different from a standard 55+ community or single-level senior living option because it is designed around long-term continuity.
A traditional independent living or 55+ community may offer convenience and social opportunities, but it may not provide higher levels of care on the same campus. If needs change, residents may need to relocate.
A CCRC approaches this differently. The goal is to allow residents to begin with independent living and continue within the same community over time, with access to additional care if needed. For many people, that added continuity is one of the most important reasons to consider a CCRC.
Why This Matters at Pilgrim Place
At Pilgrim Place, the value of a continuing care retirement community lies not only in the fact that care is available on one campus, but that this continuum exists within a community shaped by purpose, inclusion, lifelong learning, and connection.
For those exploring senior living in Claremont, California, understanding what a CCRC is can help clarify an important distinction. This is not simply housing for retired adults. It is a model designed to support both current independence and future care planning within a single, connected community.
If you are considering Pilgrim Place, a good next step is to review the current fee sheet, ask about residence availability by size and price range, and schedule a conversation or tour to better understand how the community aligns with your goals.
FAQ’s for Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Choosing a continuing care retirement community is a significant decision, and it’s natural to have questions about how it works, what it costs, and how it compares to other senior living options. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about CCRCs and how Pilgrim Place supports long-term living, continuity, and community in Claremont, California.
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A continuing care retirement community (CCRC), also known as a life plan community, is a type of senior living community that offers multiple levels of living and care on one campus. This can include independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, allowing residents to remain in one community as their needs change.
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A CCRC allows residents to begin in independent living and transition to additional levels of care over time without leaving the community. This provides stability, continuity, and long-term planning within one environment.
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A 55+ community typically offers independent living and amenities, but may not provide higher levels of care on the same campus. A CCRC is designed around long-term continuity, allowing residents to access additional support over time within one community.
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Costs typically include a one-time entrance fee and an ongoing monthly fee. At Pilgrim Place, these vary based on residence size, amenities, and occupancy, and monthly fees generally include rent, residential fees, and dining fees.
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Pricing is based on the size and features of the residence selected. Entrance fees and monthly fees vary by square footage and occupancy, and availability depends on whether the right residence type is available within a person’s preferred range.
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Pilgrim Place offers a non-refundable entrance fee and a 50% deferred repayment option. The best option depends on financial goals and long-term planning preferences.
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Many people choose a CCRC for the continuity it provides. It offers the ability to maintain independence while also planning for future care within the same community.
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Pilgrim Place is a values-driven senior living community in Claremont, California. In addition to offering a full continuum of care, it is known for its culture of purpose, inclusion, lifelong learning, and connection.
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For many people, yes. A CCRC can offer peace of mind, long-term stability, and the ability to remain in one community over time while accessing additional support if needed.
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A CCRC may be a good fit if you want independent living now while also planning for future needs. It is especially appealing for those who value continuity, community, and long-term stability.
