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CCRC vs. Standalone Assisted Living

A Continuing Care Retirement Community keeps a couple together across care levels. A standalone community is usually simpler and less expensive to enter.

HomeComparisonsCCRC vs. Standalone Assisted Living
Short answer

A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) combines independent living, assisted living, memory care and often skilled nursing on one campus, letting a resident -- or a couple with different needs -- move between levels without changing addresses. A standalone assisted living community offers one level of care, usually with a simpler, less expensive entry process.

Campuses in this metro combining multiple levels

Several Indianapolis-area campuses operate this multi-level model, including communities in Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville and Indianapolis itself that pair independent living with assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing on one site.

Entry cost and flexibility

Full CCRC/Life Plan Community models elsewhere in the country often charge a large upfront entry fee in exchange for guaranteed access to higher care levels later -- ask any local campus directly whether it uses an entry-fee model or a simpler month-to-month rental structure, since this varies by operator. A standalone assisted living community is typically the more flexible, lower-commitment choice if a couple does not yet need to plan for different care levels.

How Indiana licenses assisted living. Indiana licenses assisted living as a Residential Care Facility (RCF) under 410 IAC 16.2-5 -- one license type, not tiered like Texas's Type A/B. Read the full explanation →

Questions families ask

Does Indiana require a separate license for memory care?

No. Indiana requires a written Alzheimer's and Dementia Special Care Disclosure under Indiana Code 12-10-5.5, not a separate state certification. Communities must file the disclosure and meet training requirements, but there is no distinct 'certified memory care' license to check for.

How do I check a facility's Indiana license and inspection history?

Use the Indiana Long Term Care Survey & Inspection Public Search at hoosierusa.isdh.in.gov, run by the Indiana Department of Health. Nursing homes also carry a federal CMS Care Compare star rating; assisted living (Residential Care Facilities) does not.

What's the difference between Indiana's Residential Care Facility and Comprehensive Care Facility licenses?

A Residential Care Facility (RCF) is Indiana's assisted-living-type license, covering personal care, medication administration and ADL help, not 24-hour skilled nursing. A Comprehensive Care Facility is Indiana's nursing-home license, for residents who need 24-hour licensed nursing care.

What Medicaid waiver pays for assisted living in Indiana?

Indiana's PathWays Waiver, part of the Indiana PathWays for Aging program launched July 1, 2024 for Hoosiers 60 and older, can pay for care services inside a licensed Residential Care Facility that holds a waiver provider agreement. It does not cover room and board -- that runs through a separate program, RCAP.

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