What Is a CCRC? A Minnesota Family's Guide to Continuing Care Retirement Communities

If you have done any research into senior living in Minnesota, you may have encountered the term CCRC -- short for Continuing Care Retirement Community. CCRCs represent a specific and distinctive model of senior living, and for the right family, they offer something compelling: the ability to move into a community once and have access to every level of care you might ever need, all in one place.

Here is a plain-language guide to what CCRCs are, how they work, what they cost, and when they make sense for Minnesota seniors and their families.

What Is a CCRC?

A Continuing Care Retirement Community is a senior living campus that provides multiple levels of care in a single location. Most CCRCs include independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing or memory care -- all on the same campus or in connected buildings.

The core promise of a CCRC is continuity. A couple can move in together when they are both independent, and if one partner eventually needs assisted living or memory care, they can access those services without leaving the community. Residents do not have to move to a new facility when their needs change -- one of the most significant anxieties for Minnesota families planning for the long term.

The Three Types of CCRC Contracts

CCRCs operate under one of three contract models, and the differences are financially significant:

• Type A (Life Care or All-Inclusive): The highest upfront entry fee, but monthly fees remain relatively stable even as care needs increase. The community essentially pre-funds future care costs. This model offers the most financial predictability over time.
• Type B (Modified): A mid-range entry fee. A defined amount of care is included in the monthly fee; beyond that threshold, care is available at a discounted rate.
• Type C (Fee-for-Service): The lowest entry fee. Independent living is priced at market rate, and any care services accessed beyond that are billed at market rates. This model carries more financial risk if significant care is eventually needed.

What CCRCs Typically Cost in Minnesota

CCRCs require a significant financial commitment. Entry fees in Minnesota typically range from $150,000 to $500,000 or more depending on the community, the unit type, and the contract model. Monthly fees on top of the entry fee range from $3,000 to $6,000+ per month.

Entry fees are sometimes partially or fully refundable -- it depends on the contract. Read this section carefully and consult a financial advisor before signing a CCRC contract.

Who Is a CCRC Best For?

CCRCs make the most sense for Minnesota seniors who have significant home equity or retirement savings, want to make one move and have full care continuity, are planning ahead while still healthy and independent, and want to protect a spouse from having to manage a crisis move later. CCRCs are less suitable for seniors who have limited assets, prefer to remain in a non-institutional home environment, or who are already in a condition requiring a specific level of immediate care that a particular CCRC cannot provide.

More from the Right Size Blog

• What Is a Retirement Community? A Minnesota Family's Plain-Language Guide
• Retirement Community Costs in Minnesota: 2026 Pricing, Fees, and What to Expect
• When Needs Change: Understanding the Continuum of Care in Minnesota
• Independent Living vs. Assisted Living vs. Memory Care: Which Is Right for Your Minnesota Parent?