How to compare continuing care retirement communities

Choosing a continuing care retirement community is about more than selecting a new place to live—it’s about finding a community that can support your lifestyle today and adapt to your needs tomorrow. The best comparison process looks at care levels, costs, services, campus life, and how well the community feels like home.

Start with the care levels you may need now and later

A strong CCRC should offer a clear continuum of care, so you can move from one level of support to another without leaving the campus you’ve come to know.

When comparing communities, ask whether they offer:

• Independent living
• Personal care
• Skilled nursing care
• Memory care or specialized dementia support, if needed

At Londonderry Village, residents can choose from independent living, personal care, and nursing care, with the added benefit of a full-service community where care can evolve as needs change. That kind of continuity can make a meaningful difference for long-term peace of mind.

Compare the costs carefully

Pricing for continuing care retirement communities can vary widely, so it’s important to understand exactly what is included and what is not.

Look at these cost categories:

• Entrance fee
• Monthly maintenance fee
• Daily care rates for personal care or nursing care
• Additional service charges
• What happens if care needs increase

At Londonderry Village, independent living includes a one-time entrance fee that ranges from $99,800 to $458,300, depending on the home style and location, along with monthly maintenance fees ranging from $1,193 to $3,087. Personal care and nursing care are billed on a daily-rate basis. That structure is helpful to review closely when comparing communities, because it shows how pricing changes across lifestyle and care levels.

Ask what is included in the monthly fee

Two communities may look similar on paper, but one may include far more services in its monthly cost than the other.

When comparing CCRC monthly fees, ask whether they include:

• Meals
• Housekeeping
• Laundry service
• Transportation
• Maintenance and repairs
• Wellness or fitness center access
• Social and recreational programming
• Spiritual services
• Emergency response systems

For example, Londonderry Village includes many services in its care rates, such as room, meals, housekeeping, laundry, social and recreational programming, spiritual services, and wellness center access with a doctor’s consent in certain care levels. In independent living, residents also benefit from maintenance support and community amenities that help simplify daily life.

Look closely at the living options

A great retirement community should offer more than one style of home, because people have different preferences for space, privacy, and independence.

As you compare communities, consider whether they offer:

• Apartments
• Cottages
• Duplexes
• Private rooms for care settings
• Floor plans that fit different lifestyles and budgets

Londonderry Village offers a variety of independent living home styles, including apartments, cottages, and duplexes. The community’s 175 independent living duplexes and welcoming open floor plans are designed to support a lifestyle that feels comfortable, practical, and neighborly.

Evaluate the services and amenities

The best CCRCs support more than healthcare needs—they support everyday living and long-term wellness.

Useful amenities and services to compare include:

• Fitness and wellness programs
• Pool, gym, or exercise classes
• Recreation and social events
• Dining options
• Salon or personal care services
• Housekeeping frequency
• Outdoor spaces and walking areas
• Maintenance coverage
• Technology and emergency response systems

At Londonderry Village, independent living residents have access to features such as a 24-hour Lifeline phone system for medical emergencies, 24-hour maintenance and emergency maintenance, membership to the gym, pool, fitness classes, and whirlpool, plus access to the community center for programs, seminars, dining options, and salon services.

Consider the quality of the care environment

If you or a loved one may need personal care or nursing support in the future, the atmosphere of those care settings matters just as much as the services themselves.

Questions to ask include:

• Are rooms private or shared?
• Is dignity and privacy prioritized?
• How does staff interact with residents?
• What is the resident-to-staff experience like?
• How are meals, laundry, and housekeeping handled?
• Are residents encouraged to stay socially engaged?

Londonderry Village’s memory care setting, Barteit Haven, offers private rooms with individual bathrooms, reflecting a focus on dignity and comfort. That same attention to resident well-being is an important benchmark to look for in any community you compare.

Pay attention to the ability to age in place

One of the biggest advantages of a CCRC is the opportunity to stay in one community even as your needs change.

Ask whether the community offers:

• Priority access to higher levels of care
• Seamless transitions between living options
• A coordinated admissions process if health needs increase
• Continuity of relationships with staff and neighbors

Londonderry Village emphasizes this kind of continuity. As care needs evolve, residents can transition to higher levels of care on campus, helping preserve familiarity, comfort, and connection.

Review the campus culture and values

A retirement community can have excellent services and still not feel like the right fit. Culture matters.

As you visit or research communities, ask yourself:

• Does the community feel warm and welcoming?
• Do residents seem active and engaged?
• Is there a sense of purpose?
• Are spiritual values or faith-based support important to you?
• Does the overall atmosphere match your personality and lifestyle?

Londonderry Village describes itself as an outreach ministry of the Church of the Brethren, committed to quality housing, healthcare, and supportive services in an attitude of love and servanthood. For many families, that spirit of purpose and care is just as important as floor plans or price points.

Compare staffing and support

A CCRC is only as strong as the people who serve there.

When comparing communities, ask about:

• Staff training
• Staffing levels across care areas
• Response times
• Consistency of caregiving
• Availability of support services
• How resident concerns are handled

Londonderry Village is home to more than 620 residents and supported by 270 compassionate, well-trained staff. That kind of staffing presence can be an important indicator of daily support, community life, and resident experience.

Use a simple comparison checklist

Before making a decision, compare communities side by side using a consistent checklist.

Important questions to ask

• What levels of care are available on campus?
• What is the entrance fee, and is it refundable?
• What is the monthly fee, and what does it include?
• How are personal care and nursing care priced?
• Are apartments, cottages, duplexes, or private rooms available?
• What wellness, dining, and recreational amenities are offered?
• Is there a clear path to higher levels of care?
• What is the culture like among residents and staff?
• How easy is it to schedule a visit and get questions answered?

Schedule a visit and trust what you observe

Brochures and websites are helpful, but an in-person visit tells you much more.

During your visit, pay attention to:

• Whether staff greet residents warmly
• How residents interact with one another
• Cleanliness and maintenance
• Dining atmosphere
• Noise level and overall comfort
• Whether the campus feels active, peaceful, or both

A personal visit can help you determine whether the community feels like a place where you or your loved one can truly thrive.

A practical way to narrow your choices

If you are comparing continuing care retirement communities, start by ranking them in this order:

1. Care fit — Does the community support your current and future health needs?
2. Cost clarity — Do you understand the entrance fee, monthly fee, and care rates?
3. Lifestyle fit — Does the campus offer the pace, amenities, and setting you want?
4. Confidence in care — Do the staff, services, and environment inspire trust?
5. Long-term value — Will the community continue to serve you well as needs change?

That approach can make a complex decision feel much more manageable.

A community that grows with you

The right CCRC should offer more than housing—it should offer security, support, and a sense of belonging. At Londonderry Village, residents can enjoy a vibrant community with multiple levels of care, meaningful amenities, and a welcoming spirit rooted in service.

If you’re exploring your options, comparing communities with a clear checklist can help you make a thoughtful, confident decision. And when you’re ready to take the next step, a personal visit is often the best way to see whether a community feels like home.