This is something I really know something about as I live in a CCRC. The one I live in is Trinity Terrace in Fort Worth, TX. Trinity Terrace is managed by Pacific Retirement Services, Medford, OR. Pacific Retirement Services manages something like 20 CCRCs most of which are on the West Coast.
When I moved into my one bedroom apartment in Trinity Terrace in 2000 the nonrefundable front end fee was $65,000 and my monthly fee was roughly $1,600. Today my monthly fee is roughly $2,500. Trinity Terrace has now added two new towers with larger units with partly refundable front end fees ranging somewhere between $700,000 and $1,000,000. I don't know how much the monthly fees for these units are other than that they are high. The amount of the front end fee depends on how much (70%, 80% or 90%) is refunded to your heirs when you die.
The monthly fees although large cover everything;i.e meals, utilities, cleaning, laundry, etc. Also note that somewhere between 30% and 50% of your month end fee is tax deductible as prepaid medical expenses. The percentage has something to do with the ratio of expenses for the Extended Care Facility (total care) and the total expenses of the entire operation.
There are 3 levels of care at Trinity Terrace, Independent Living, Extended Living and one somewhere in between for those who need help with daily functions but not so much help as to require moving in the Extended Care facility.
My status is Independent Living which means I come and go whenever I want. When I leave the facility say to spend a week at my Son's house or a month in Florida all I do is let them know I will be gone.
The food is fabulous, activities are numerous; there is a fitness facility and pool on site; transportation for Doctor visits, etc is provided. In addition there is also a Library and Computer Room.
The nice thing about my contract which I signed in 2000 is that if I run out of money in the normal course of events; i.e. I didn't squander it stupidly, Trinity Terrace is contractually obligated to cover all or part of my monthly fees.
You can probably tell from the above that I am 150% sold on the CCRC concept. In my opinion it is far superior to Long Term Care Insurance and a nursing home when needed.
George