Seniors losing homes in continuing care communities

Seniors who were in good health when they signed contracts with continuing care communities -- communities that promised to care for them as they aged and needed assisted living or nursing care -- are now finding those contracts to be just empty promises. Many of these continuing care and assisted living facilities are facing bankruptcies with seniors left to find new homes at a time when they can no longer care for themselves. Some of these seniors thought they had bought into a permanent care facility they could depend upon until they died, but now if they need additional care, they must find new accommodations.

Continuing care communities were a retirement dream for those who could afford to pay. A person usually put down about $150,000 on an apartment (that number varied depending on apartment size and location) with the promise that they would have a place to live until the day they died. To qualify, seniors had to be able to live independently when they first moved in. Some would make their own meals, and some would choose to eat in a common dining room. All would pay a certain amount per month for needed services. Those who required more than basic services would pay according to the nursing or other services they needed.