Key Takeaways
- Carlyle Place offers Type A Life Care contracts that guarantee lifelong care with predictable costs, even as care needs increase
- Type B Modified contracts at Carlyle Place provide access to healthcare services at reduced rates, with lower entrance fees than Type A contracts
- All Carlyle Place contracts include access to a full continuum of care: independent living, personal care, memory care, and skilled nursing
- Entrance fees at Carlyle Place offer multiple refundability options (0%, 50%, or 90%), allowing residents to protect their assets for estate planning
- As Central Georgia’s only CARF-accredited Life Plan Community, Carlyle Place maintains the highest standards of financial stability and quality care
When considering your plans for retirement and the future, understanding the contract options at a Life Plan Community like Carlyle Place is essential to making an informed decision. These contracts not only outline your living arrangements but also detail how your healthcare needs will be addressed as you age.
As Central Georgia’s premier Life Plan Community—also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community or called a CCRC Community – Carlyle Place offers multiple contract types designed to provide security, peace of mind, and financial predictability. It’s all part of helping you Craft Your Happy confidence in the lifestyle and care you choose. Let’s explore some of the available options and how they could shape your future.
Understanding Life Plan Community Contracts
CCRC Communities like Carlyle Place typically structure their financial agreements around two components:
- Entrance Fee: A one-time payment made when you move into the community
- Monthly Service Fee: Recurring payment covering your residence and included services
What sets Carlyle Place apart is the variety of contract options available, because each one offers different levels of healthcare coverage and financial arrangements.
Type A Contract: Comprehensive Life Care
The Type A contract at Carlyle Place is our most comprehensive option, often referred to as “Life Care.” This premier choice provides:
- Guaranteed access to all levels of healthcare within our community
- Significant healthcare cost savings compared to current market rates
- Predictable monthly fees that remain relatively stable even as care needs increase
- Priority access to assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing services
With a Type A contract, residents enjoy the security of knowing that should they need higher levels of care, they’ll receive it at substantially reduced rates, which can save thousands per month compared to market rates for comparable services.
Type B Contract: Modified Plan
The Type B Modified contract at Carlyle Place offers:
- Lower entrance fees than the Type A contract
- Access to healthcare services at discounted rates (though not as deeply discounted as Type A)
- A balanced approach between upfront costs and future healthcare expenses
This option appeals to those seeking a middle ground—some protection against rising healthcare costs without the higher initial entrance fee of a Life Care contract.
Entrance Fee Refundability Options
At Carlyle Place, we understand the importance of estate planning. That’s why we offer multiple refundability options for entrance fees:
- Traditional Plan (0% Refundable): Lowest entrance fee with no refund after a specified period
- 50% Refundable Plan: Moderate entrance fee with 50% refundable to you or your estate
- 90% Refundable Plan: Highest entrance fee with 90% refundable to you or your estate
These options allow you to balance your current financial resources with your estate planning goals.
The Value of CARF Accreditation
As one of only two CARF-accredited Life Plan Communities in Georgia, Carlyle Place meets rigorous standards for financial stability and quality of care. This accreditation provides additional peace of mind that your contract is backed by a financially sound organization committed to excellence.
Making Your Decision
Choosing the right contract type depends on your individual circumstances, including:
- Your current age and health status
- Your financial resources and estate planning goals
- Your tolerance for future healthcare cost risks
- The importance you place on predictability and security
If you complete your evaluation and target moving to a community a few years from now, make choices that help keep your options open, including evaluating the peace of mind that comes with a Carlyle Place At Home contract (not to be confused with home care) and the benefits of joining a waitlist, especially in high-demand communities, to hold your place in line.
We recommend consulting with your financial advisor and family members while exploring these options. Our team at Carlyle Place is also available to provide detailed information to help you understand which contract best suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CCRC and Life Plan Communities?
A Life Plan Community is also commonly called a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). The services and contractual arrangements remain the same, and these terms reflect the active, forward-looking lifestyle these communities offer, focusing on helping residents plan for their entire life journey.
How are CCRC communities in Georgia different from other senior living options?
A CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) in Georgia provides a full continuum of care—independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing—all contractually guaranteed in one location. Compared to other senior living options, a CCRC in Georgia allows residents to age in place and access care as their needs change, often with predictable costs and a stable community. Georgia CCRCs are regulated to ensure quality and offer unique contract options residents can trust.
How do CCRC communities structure contracts and fees?
A CCRC in Georgia typically offers several contract types, such as Type A (Life Care), Type B (Modified), and rental agreements. Each CCRC contract in Georgia outlines an entrance fee, monthly service fee, and included services. Some, like Carlyle Place, offer refundability options (0%, 50%, or 90%) to support estate planning and financial confidence.
Is a CCRC community in Georgia an affordable option? Is a CCRC community in Georgia an affordable option?
CCRC costs in Georgia often compare favorably to those nationwide, especially when accounting for bundled services—dining, maintenance, lifestyle programming, and future healthcare costs. We encourage prospective residents to use a cost comparison worksheet to evaluate their current household expenses versus monthly CCRC fees. This step helps you discover that a CCRC in Georgia may be more affordable and offer better value than imagined, especially as care needs evolve.
How can I compare contract options and find the right CCRC in Georgia for me?
After narrowing down your list of potential communities according to your housing, amenities and lifestyle priorities, it’s time to dig into the financial details. Start by requesting a contract summary and cost breakdown from the CCRC in Georgia communities on your shortlist—ask about entrance fees, monthly costs, what is included, and what contract options exist. Review or download any provided worksheets to compare costs. Ask questions about financial stability, healthcare access, and refundability. Meeting with a Life Plan Advisor can help translate contract details into personal peace of mind.
Can couples with different health needs still move to a CCRC?
Absolutely. Life Plan Communities are ideal for couples with different health needs. One spouse can reside in independent living while the other receives care in assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing—all within the same community. This arrangement allows couples to remain close while each receives appropriate care, and the financial structure often makes this more affordable than seeking separate accommodations.
Does Medicare cover costs at Carlyle Place?
Medicare may cover certain qualifying short-term rehabilitation and skilled nursing services at Carlyle Place, according to standard Medicare guidelines. However, Medicare typically doesn’t cover the residential and personal care aspects of Life Plan Communities. Our contracts are designed to complement Medicare coverage and provide comprehensive care services that extend beyond what Medicare offers.
What is Carlyle Place’s “At Home” program?
The Carlyle Place At Home program is an innovative option that works like long-term care insurance but with added benefits. It allows members to receive coordinated care services in their current residence while having access to Carlyle Place’s amenities and healthcare. This program is ideal for those who wish to remain in their homes longer but want the security of having guaranteed access to quality care services when needed.
Taking the Next Step
Top senior living communities are in high demand. If you’re considering your options, finding the right community that matches your interests and financial goals is of the utmost importance. We recommend consulting with your financial advisor and family members while exploring these options. Meanwhile, you can learn more about important financial considerations through reading articles in Understanding CCRC Contracts, Costs & Care. Or if you’d like to learn more about how communities promote active, engaging lifestyle, read Discover Retirement Living.
Our team at Carlyle Place is also available to provide detailed information to help you understand which contract best suits your needs. Contact our Life Plan Advisors at 478-707-0871 to schedule a personal tour and consultation.
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