As members of the Baby Boomer generation continue to reach senior status, their more active and health-conscious lifestyles are causing them to live longer, more productive lives. Because of this, the senior living industry is continuously evolving to meet the needs and desires of this dynamic generation. Many retirement communities are offering seniors a more independent lifestyle with opportunities for continued vitality and wellness. However, because health needs can change in the blink of an eye, many of these communities are also adapting to those needs by offering the security of on-campus healthcare services, should the need arise. In other words, Life Plan Communities. 

What Is A Life Plan Community? 

You may be familiar with the term Continuing Care Retirement Community or CCRC. Well, a Life Plan Community and CCRC are pretty much synonymous. Senior communities around the country have simply adopted the Life Plan Community name because it better reflects what these communities are – places to thrive and enjoy an independent lifestyle while maintaining a secure plan for the future. 

A Life Plan Community gives you the freedom to live life on your terms. They provide a maintenance-free lifestyle so you can trade in your to-do list, including responsibilities like housekeeping, home repairs, and yard work for the things you want to do. Rekindle interests you had to put on hold. Continue your education. Travel. Socialize with friends old and new. Enjoy healthy dining options.  

Best of all, a Life Plan Community allows you to enjoy peace of mind, knowing you’ll have access to a full continuum of health care services without needing to move again should you ever need them. “The essence of living here is an experience that makes you feel younger and, hopefully, will keep us living a long time,” says McLean resident Ellen M. 

And should your healthcare needs change substantially, you can move seamlessly from independent living to assisted living or even skilled nursing. However, it’s important to remember that not all Life Plan Communities or CCRCs offer the same levels of care, so make sure you do your research! 

Why Choose McLean? 

As a leading Life Plan Community in the Farmington Valley, McLean’s full continuum of care is what separates it from other, similar communities. Many of the newer communities do not provide the 5-star-rated skilled nursing and rehabilitation available on McLean’s nature-filled campus. Just why other communities don’t follow McLean’s lead is particularly puzzling when you realize what a great option a CCRC is for couples who require different levels of care as they age together. 

Add to this our new Goodrich building, opening Summer of 2022, with its spacious apartments. The Goodrich also features numerous amenities, all of which are open to all McLean residents. Enjoy onsite theatrical and cultural performances at the Garmany Performing Arts Theater, our new, state-of-the-art fitness center, plus new dining venues (both formal and casual), where you can eat on the terrace overlooking the golf course. Speaking of the golf course, all McLean residents receive a social membership to the neighboring Hop Meadow Country Club, where you can play golf, enjoy the pool, tennis courts, social events and even more dining choices. Your grandchildren can even attend summer camp here. And just a short drive away you can walk, jog or hike on over 20 miles of paths at the McLean Game Refuge, established by Senator George McLean in 1932 as a wildlife sanctuary to preserve over 3,000 acres of meadows and forests. The McLean Game Refuge is open to the general public to enjoy passive recreation.

At McLean, our private villas, senior apartments and rental cottages come with a variety of bedroom, bath and den options. Additionally, McLean offers a wide variety of amenities designed to keep you healthy, happy, active, and engaged. However, should the time come when your healthcare needs, or those of your spouse or loved one change, McLean’s continuum of on-campus care makes it as easy as possible to receive the care you need.  

Continuing Care 

McLean’s Health Center houses our Assisted Living, Memory Care Assisted Living and skilled nursing neighborhoods, as well as inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. If the time comes when a McLean resident or someone from the community requires assistance with their medical needs, we’re here for you. Maybe you had a fall, or simply need help managing your medications. Whatever the problem, if your medical needs change, continuing care of some sort may be the answer. 

One major benefit of McLean’s Assisted Living is the ability to maintain your privacy and independence. You’ll have your own private room, secure in the knowledge that right outside your front door is a staff of certified care partners and life-enrichment professionals who are there for your support. McLean Assisted Living and Memory Care residents receive three meals a day and have their medications monitored and if necessary, managed. Need help with personal care from dressing to bathing, housekeeping or laundry? Our team will be there to meet your needs.

McLean’s Memory Care neighborhood is staffed by a skilled team of CNAs certified in dementia care by the Alzheimer’s Association.  McLean Assisted Living was the very first accreditation recipient of the Purple Flag, in the State of CT, in recognition of outstanding dementia care. The Purple Flag for Dementia Care program is a collaboration of the Institute for Senior Living Education, the CT Assisted Living Association and the CT Alzheimer’s Association. All of this is what separates McLean Assisted Living from other Assisted Living communities in the region. It also demonstrates how the continuum of care offered at McLean allows residents to live independently as long as they’re able, and care for them if their needs or situation changes. 

What About the Cost? 

McLean is conscious that many seniors may be on a fixed income. That’s why we offer a Type C, fee for service contract with lower monthly fees that increase only as the need necessitates. Additionally, if you need skilled nursing services “down the road”, you may qualify for Medicaid, which McLean accepts, for care for residents. 

Now You Know 

No matter your needs, a Life Plan Community like McLean offers everything you could want, from the active independent life you crave, to a complete continuum of care should your needs change. With 50 years of experience in the field, the added amenities in our new Goodrich building, our dedicated staff, all located on our beautiful, wooded campus, McLean offers peace of mind for you and your entire family. We are here for you all the way.