What Is a Life Plan Community?

If you've been researching senior living options, you've probably come across the term "life plan community" and wondered how it differs from other types of communities. The short answer: quite a bit. A life plan community isn't just a place to live. It's a framework for protecting your independence, your health, and your future, all in one place.

You may also see the term "continuing care retirement community," or CCRC. The two refer to the same model. In 2015, LeadingAge (the national nonprofit association for aging services providers) introduced the "life plan community" name to better reflect the active, purposeful lifestyle these communities are designed to support.

At Taylor Glen in Concord, North Carolina, that philosophy is woven into everything we do.

What Sets a Life Plan Community Apart

Most senior living options are designed for one stage of care at a time. If your needs change significantly, you may find yourself having to move, leaving behind the neighbors, routines, and community you've built. A life plan community is designed to prevent exactly that.

The defining feature of this model is a full continuum of care on a single campus. Residents typically enter as independent living residents and have access to higher levels of support if and when they're ever needed, without leaving the community they call home. That continuity of place, and of relationships, is what makes the life plan model so compelling for people who are thinking ahead.

The Continuum of Care at Taylor Glen

Taylor Glen is a closed campus, meaning our healthcare is sized specifically to serve our residents. That's an important distinction. When your health needs change, or your spouse's needs change, you won't be competing for availability or navigating an unfamiliar system. Care is here, and it's here for you.

Our continuum of care includes five levels on our 124-acre campus in Concord:

Independent living for active older adults who want a maintenance-free lifestyle with the peace of mind that comes from knowing care is nearby if it's ever needed.

Assisted living with 24/7 staff and licensed nurses to support residents who need help with daily activities, while still offering a full calendar of wellness programming and access to all Taylor Glen amenities.

Memory care in our Green House home, the first of its kind in North Carolina. Designed around small-scale, person-centered care, it features private bedrooms, warm communal spaces, family-style dining, and a consistent team of specially trained caregivers. It feels like home because it's designed to.

Short-term rehabilitation for residents recovering from surgery, illness, or injury, with physical, occupational, and speech therapy available on campus.

Skilled nursing for residents with complex medical needs who require around-the-clock clinical care.

This range means couples with different care needs can remain on the same campus, and that no one has to make urgent decisions about where to go next during an already difficult time.

The Financial Side of the Life Plan Model

Life plan communities typically involve an entrance fee, which is one of the first questions prospective residents ask about. Understanding what that fee represents changes the conversation.

The entrance fee is best understood as a financial planning tool. It secures your place in the community and, in exchange, gives you access to a predictable monthly fee that covers housing, dining, housekeeping, maintenance, utilities, and amenities. Rather than managing a growing list of separate expenses, everything is consolidated. AARP's guide to continuing care retirement communities is a helpful resource for understanding how this model works and what questions to ask as you evaluate your options.

Taylor Glen is owned and operated by ThriveMore, a faith-based, not-for-profit organization with roots in North Carolina going back to 1951. As a nonprofit, ThriveMore reinvests its resources back into its communities rather than distributing profits to shareholders. That means decisions about staffing, programming, and amenities are guided by residents' quality of life.

Is a Life Plan Community Right for You?

The people who tend to thrive in a life plan community share one quality: they're planners. They want to make a thoughtful decision while they're healthy and active, rather than waiting until a health event forces the issue. They value the freedom that comes from not managing a home, and they want the social richness of a genuine community around them.

If that sounds like you or someone you care about, we'd love to talk. Reach out to our team to learn more about life at Taylor Glen and what it could look like for you.