--- title: 10 Misconceptions About Life Plan Communities description: Despite the fact that one in six Americans is 65 and older and the number of people living into their 80s and 90s continues to grow... image: https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hubfs/WINDON-20231207-316-1724%20(2).jpg --- - [Careers](https://collington.kendal.org/about/careers/) - [Giving](https://collington.kendal.org/about/giving/) - [Contact](http://collington.kendal.org/about/contact-us/) - [1.888.257.9468](tel:18882579468) Search [![kendal\_collington-crop](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hubfs/New%20Brand/kendal_collington-crop.jpg)](https://collington.kendal.org/) Search - Community Life - [Independent Living](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/independent-living/) - [Lifecare](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/lifecare/) - [Community Overview](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/overview/) - [Gallery & Videos](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/gallery-videos/) - [Wellness](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/wellness-center/) - [Dining](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/dining/) - [Things To Do In Collington](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/local-attractions/) - [Lifelong Learning](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/lifelong-learning/) - [Resident Stories](https://collington.kendal.org/topic/residentstories/) - Care Services - [Assisted Living](https://collington.kendal.org/care-services/assisted-living-personal-care/) - [Memory Support](https://collington.kendal.org/care-services/memory-support/) - [Short-Stay Respite](https://collington.kendal.org/care-services/short-stay-respite/) - Values - [Mission & Quaker Info](https://collington.kendal.org/values/mission/) - [Welcoming Diversity](https://collington.kendal.org/values/welcoming-diversity/) - [Sustainability](https://collington.kendal.org/values/sustainability/) - Planning - [Plan a Visit](https://collington.kendal.org/plan-a-visit/) - [Campus](https://collington.kendal.org/plan-a-visit/campus/) - [Floor Plans](https://collington.kendal.org/floor-plans/) - [Pricing Information](https://collington.kendal.org/planning/pricing-information/) - [Resources](https://collington.kendal.org/planning/resources/) - News & Events - [News](https://collington.kendal.org/news/) - [Events](https://collington.kendal.org/events/) - [Blog](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog) - About - [Leadership Team](https://collington.kendal.org/about/leadership-team/) - [Board of Directors](https://collington.kendal.org/about/board-of-directors/) - [Careers](https://collington.kendal.org/about/careers/) - [Giving](https://collington.kendal.org/about/giving/) - [FAQ](https://collington.kendal.org/about/faq/) - [Financial Information & Compliance](https://collington.kendal.org/about/financial-information-compliance/) - [Contact](https://collington.kendal.org/about/contact-us/) - [Careers](https://collington.kendal.org/about/careers/) - [Giving](https://collington.kendal.org/about/giving/) - [Contact](http://collington.kendal.org/about/contact-us/) - [1.888.257.9468](tel:18882579468) - [Home](https://collington.kendal.org/) - [Transforming the experience of aging](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog) - 10 Misconceptions About Life Plan Communities # 10 Misconceptions About Life Plan Communities --- Despite the fact that [one in six Americans is 65 and older](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2025/11/06/how-americans-are-thinking-about-aging/) and the number of people living into their 80s and 90s continues to grow, ours is still largely an [ageist society](https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/03/cover-new-concept-of-aging). As such, the misconceptions about living into advanced age are many. Several erroneous perceptions surround the notion of where and how to live as an older adult, particularly as these questions pertain to Life Plan Communities. The first misunderstanding, in fact, may be [what exactly a Life Plan Community is](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog/what-is-a-life-plan-community). Also called Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), Life Plan Communities offer multiple levels of care all on one campus and facilitate an overall active, purposeful lifestyle both on and outside of community grounds. Now, let’s clear up 10 common misconceptions about Life Plan Communities: **Misconception #1: Life Plan Communities are nursing homes.** This is perhaps the most pervasive and enduring fallacy about senior living communities. On the contrary, retirement communities are designed to maximize life to its fullest potential. What’s more, they are conceived primarily for [independent living](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/independent-living/), offering attractive [homes and apartments](https://collington.kendal.org/floor-plans/), multiple amenities, chef-inspired [dining](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/dining/), fun and engaging [wellness programs](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/wellness-center/), ample social opportunities and maintenance-free living. [Healthcare services](https://collington.kendal.org/care-services/assisted-living-personal-care/) are available if needed, but most residents begin their journey living independently. **![yuans-hike-pickleball-1098](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hs-fs/hubfs/yuans-hike-pickleball-1098.jpg?width=438&height=230&name=yuans-hike-pickleball-1098.jpg)Misconception #2**: **You lose your independence.** Quite the opposite is true. Life Plan Communities are designed to make daily life easier while giving residents [more freedom](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog/a-new-declaration-of-independence-finding-freedom-in-senior-living) to spend their time as they choose. With home maintenance, yard work and many household chores taken care of, residents can focus on travel, hobbies, friendships, family and the things they enjoy free of worry and the hassles of homeownership. **Misconception #3**: **Everyone there is old and frail.** Life Plan Communities are generally inhabited by people who are active, healthy and engaged, with full calendars, travel plans, hobbies and social lives. You may find someone [playing pickleball](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog/collington-residents-love-a-pickle-of-a-game) in the morning, heading to a book club in the afternoon and meeting friends for dinner in the evening. As one adult daughter said about her mother in a senior living community, “I can never reach my mom; she’s busier than I am!” **Misconception #4: You have to be sick or need help to move in.** Most people move to a Life Plan Community while they are still independent and active, not because they need care**.** In fact, many continuing care retirement communities require that new residents [must be able to live independently](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog/when-is-the-best-time-to-move-to-a-ccrc) and that they are not at an increased risk for assisted living or healthcare services. Indeed, waiting until you have a significant health crisis can make a move much more difficult. Planning ahead allows you to choose your home and community on your own terms and establish yourself before you need additional services. **Misconception #5: You lose your privacy.![October Blog Resized image WINDON-20231207-316-1724 (1)](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hs-fs/hubfs/October%20Blog%20Resized%20image%20WINDON-20231207-316-1724%20(1).jpg?width=371&height=247&name=October%20Blog%20Resized%20image%20WINDON-20231207-316-1724%20(1).jpg)** Moving into a CCRC does not mean giving up your personal space. In fact, residents have their own custom-tailored [apartments, cottages or villas](https://collington.kendal.org/floor-plans/), and *they* decide when they want to socialize and when they want to close the door and enjoy their privacy. The difference is that companionship and community are available whenever you want them.   **Misconception #6: There are lots of openings, so you can wait until there’s an emergency to move in.** This is one misconception that can have [dire consequences](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog/the-hidden-costs-of-waiting-too-long-to-plan-for-senior-living). Many desirable communities for older adults have years-long waiting lists and limited availability, particularly for certain types of residences. Waiting until a health crisis or emergency happens can mean having fewer choices about where you live and how quickly you can move. Planning ahead gives you life-altering options. **Misconception #7: Everyone lives in one big building.** Life Plan Communities come in many different forms. Depending on the community, residents may choose from apartments, villas, cottages, townhomes or single-family homes, often within a larger campus that includes [dining](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/dining/), [wellness](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/wellness-center/), social and healthcare amenities. Quality communities like Collington are much more like beautiful neighborhoods than a single building. (And positioned just a few short miles from the nation’s capital, our [local attractions](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/local-attractions/) can’t be beat!) ![Collington\_Cottage\_Fall\_Email\_Header\_800x445](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Collington_Cottage_Fall_Email_Header_800x445.png?width=493&height=274&name=Collington_Cottage_Fall_Email_Header_800x445.png) **Misconception #8: It’s more expensive than staying in your home.** The financial comparison isn't always as simple as weighing residents’ fees against a mortgage or property taxes. Homeowners also pay for maintenance, repairs, landscaping, utilities, insurance, transportation and other expenses. A Life Plan Community bundles many of those costs while also providing amenities, services and access to future healthcare. Many, like Collington, offer a choice of [payment plans](https://collington.kendal.org/planning/pricing-information/). The real question is not simply, *“What does it cost?”* but *“What am I getting for what I spend?”* **Misconception #9: Everyone has to participate in cookie-cutter activities.** There is no requirement to attend every activity – or any activity – and diverse, unique happenings at quality communities like Collington are largely conceived and governed by residents themselves. In short, a continuing care community simply gives you more choices. You might join a fitness class, take an art lesson, attend a lecture, enjoy a [concert](https://collington.kendal.org/music-at-collington/) or go on an excursion. Or you can spend the day reading in your apartment, [gardening](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog/from-soil-to-soul-the-promise-of-gardening), visiting family or doing absolutely nothing. It's your schedule on your terms. **Misconception #10: People are cliquey – it’s like being in high school again.** Friendships naturally develop, just as they do in any neighborhood or community, but that doesn't mean there aren't opportunities to meet plenty of [friendly, welcoming new people](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog/forming-friendships-not-cliques-in-senior-living). Moving to a retirement community can actually expand your social circle, mitigating devastating loneliness, because you're surrounded by people with diverse interests, backgrounds and experiences. At Collington, future residents meet current residents and staff even before they move in, paving the way for meaningful connections right from the start.![WINDON-20231207-271-1090901-1](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hs-fs/hubfs/WINDON-20231207-271-1090901-1.jpg?width=488&height=325&name=WINDON-20231207-271-1090901-1.jpg) **The Truth About Life Plan Communities** Life Plan Communities are about far more than healthcare or aging. They’re about creating a fulfilling, active and purposeful lifestyle for older adults at every stage of life. Just as importantly, continuing care communities provide the peace of mind that comes from planning ahead rather than waiting for a health crisis to dictate where and how you live. Whether you're researching senior living options for yourself or a loved one, the best communities offer choice, independence, privacy, camaraderie and opportunities to live life on your own terms. What’s more, should your needs change, [additional care](https://life%20plan%20communities%20are%20about%20far%20more%20than%20healthcare%20or%20aging.xn--%20theyre%20about%20creating%20a%20fulfilling,%20active%20and%20purposeful%20lifestyle%20for%20older%20adults%20at%20every%20stage%20of%20life-tj85g.%20the%20best%20communities%20offer%20a%20unique%20senior%20living%20option%20that%20combines%20independent%20living%20with%20a%20continuum%20of%20care%20that%20extends%20to%20assisted%20living,%20memory%20support%20and%20healthcare%20services,%20should%20they%20ever%20be%20needed.%20residents%20can%20enjoy%20maintenance-free%20living,%20attractive%20homes,%20delicious%20dining,%20wellness%20programs,%20vital%20social%20activities,%20lifelong%20learning,%20fast%20friendships%20and%20the%20freedom%20to%20pursue%20the%20people%20and%20passions%20that%20matter%20most%20to%20them./) is right there on the same campus you already know so well. Senior living should expand your possibilities, not limit them. If you’re considering a move, now is the time to explore your options. Discover what Life Plan Community living can offer and plan for the future you envision today!   ### At Collington, we get it right. [Contact us](https://collington.kendal.org/about/contact-us/) to learn more or schedule a tour today.   Share - - - ![Collington](https://collington.kendal.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/05/Collington-Logo-white.png) Together, transforming the experience of aging.® - ![Equal Housing Opportunity](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2724579/Kendal_March2020/Images/eho.png "Equal Housing Opportunity") - ![Handicap Accessible](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2724579/Kendal_March2020/Images/WheelChair.png "Handicap Accessible") - ![Leading Age Member](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2724579/Kendal_March2020/Images/LeadingAgeLogo.png "Leading Age Member") - ![FSA](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2724579/Kendal_March2020/Images/FSA-Alliance-Logo-White-copy.png "FSA") **Collington** 10450 Lottsford Road Mitchellville, Maryland 20721 Sales/Marketing: 1.888.257.9468 General Information: 1.301.560.3601 **[Contact Us](http://collington.kendal.org/about/contact-us/)** **Charitable Giving** Partner with Collington, a Continuing Care Retirement Community and support meaningful initiatives within our community. 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