Glossary, p2

Congregate housing: A generic term for communities that offer independent living in private separate apartments and the opportunity to share activities of daily living with other residents.

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs): These offer a continuum of care in one campus location, starting with independent living and progressing to assisted living and then nursing home care—moving from one setting to another as needs change. There is a range of services, including nursing and other health care, meals, housekeeping, transportation, emergency help, and personal care. They also usually have plenty of social and educational activities on site. A contract specifies that you will be provided with housing and services for life. Most CCRCs require a one-time entrance fee and then monthly payments thereafter. These fees vary by community, depending on the type of housing and services they offer. Others operate on a rental basis, in which you would make monthly payments, but would not have to pay an entrance fee. (Also called life care communities.)

CCRCs without walls: A program with the same continuum of care as provided by CCRCs, only done in the home instead of in a residential community. An entrance fee and monthly premiums pay for access to a range of home-based services such as care coordination, routine home maintenance, in-home assisted living and nursing services, transportation, meals, and social and wellness programs. But the cost is less than moving into a CCRC. (Also called continuing care at home [CCAH]).

Elder cottage housing opportunity (ECHO): An ECHO unit is a small, movable, self-contained (manufactured) house designed to enable seniors to live near family or caregivers, but still do so independently and privately. The cottages vary in size, from efficiency units to those with one or two bedrooms, a bathroom, living room, kitchen, and eating area. (Also called accessory units or granny flats.)

The Green House Project: Small homes where elders live as a community with each other and the staff. Houses have seven to 10 bedrooms with private bathrooms. A shared living room, dining room, and kitchen facilities make up the common living space, and residents and staff dine together. (See Green Houses Offer Community to Elders.)

Independent living: A residential location that may or may not provide supportive services, and includes residential homes, apartments, condominiums, townhouses, and subsidized senior housing. Residents can choose which services they want, and there may be an additional fee for some services. Independent living may be something as simple as a housing complex for seniors, or it might be one level in a retirement community. Generally, residents take care of all their own needs, including meal preparation, housekeeping, and transportation. (Also called elderly housing, senior housing, or senior apartments.)

Intergenerational neighborhoods: Small communities created to support certain residents who face a specific challenge. One example is a neighborhood that blends adoptive families of foster children with seniors willing to connect with these families. While there are programs and support personnel in place for residents of all ages, the children are the focus. (This is considered an intentional community, one created by people with a common vision.)

Naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs): This is a demographic term for residential areas—apartment buildings or neighborhoods of single-family homes—in which a large percentage of residents are 65 and older. These areas were not originally developed or intended to meet the needs of the elderly. In rural areas, these are called NORRs, or naturally occurring retirement regions. Some NORCs have created programs of services that provide assistance to help the elderly there remain at home. These are called NORC-SSPs (supportive services programs).

Nursing homes: These facilities are licensed to provide 24-hour custodial care, rehabilitative care, or specialized care, and they are staffed by licensed nurses. Some people stay for a short time to recover from an illness or operation; others who are sicker and need more care stay longer. Facilities provide nursing care and medical services as well as personal care services such as help with meals, bathing, dressing, and grooming. Social activities, classes, and religious services are also offered. (Also called skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, or care centers.)