For many individuals and families exploring senior living in Johnson County, one of the first questions is not about floor plans or amenities. It’s about the future.
What happens if health needs change?
Will there be a plan in place?
How do different contract options actually work?
At Santa Marta, these questions are part of nearly every conversation. The type of contract you choose plays a meaningful role in how your future care is structured.
There are two primary options to understand: Life Care and Continuing Care.
Both provide access to a full continuum of care. They simply approach it in different ways.
A Life Care contract provides more predictable healthcare costs over time, with little to no increase if higher levels of care are needed.
A Continuing Care contract offers access to care with a discounted rate, but healthcare costs may increase if needs change and may not be guaranteed.
The right choice depends on personal health, financial considerations, and how you prefer to plan ahead for future care needs.
When people first explore a Life Plan Community, it’s easy to focus on the present.
The residence. The setting. The lifestyle. But the contract is what shapes the long-term experience.
It determines:
For many, it becomes one of the most important decisions in the process of selecting a senior living residence.
At Santa Marta, the Life Care contract is considered the most comprehensive option and what most residents choose.
It’s designed for individuals who want a higher level of predictability when it comes to future healthcare needs.
With Life Care:
This structure allows residents to plan with greater clarity, knowing that if circumstances change, they are already in a setting that can support them.
Life Care does require:
Similar to long-term care insurance or life insurance, there are criteria that determine eligibility. Not everyone will qualify, which is why it is important to explore options early.
A Continuing Care contract, sometimes referred to in the industry as a Type B contract, offers a different approach.
At Santa Marta, it is simply called the Continuing Care contract.
With this option:
This provides flexibility for individuals who may not qualify for Life Care or who prefer a different financial approach.
It ensures that if care is needed, there is already a place and a plan in place.
One of the clearest ways to understand the difference is this:
With Life Care, much of the future cost of care is built into the plan upfront.
With Continuing Care, access to care is available but not guaranteed, and costs adjust based on the level of care needed.
Both approaches provide access. They differ in how that access is financially structured.
In many conversations with families, this is where the value becomes clearer.
When a health event happens, it rarely comes with advance notice.
It may require:
Without a plan, families often find themselves asking:
Who has availability?
Who can take us right now?
What are the costs?
In well-regarded communities, like Santa Marta, availability can be limited.
Having a Life Care contract in place means that access is already established. That alone can change the experience significantly.
Many families do not fully recognize the importance of this until they experience it firsthand.
A sudden change in health. A call that requires immediate action. The need to make decisions quickly. In those moments, having already chosen a community and a contract can provide a level of clarity that is difficult to replicate otherwise.
It shifts the focus from searching for solutions to simply moving forward with a plan.
There is no single answer that fits everyone.
Some individuals prioritize:
Others prioritize:
Many of the individuals exploring Santa Marta come from communities such as:
They are thoughtful planners. They ask good questions. They want to understand not just what today looks like, but what the future may require.
What is a Life Care contract in senior living?
A Life Care contract provides access to all levels of care with more predictable costs, even if healthcare needs increase over time.
What is a Continuing Care contract?
A Continuing Care contract provides access to care at discounted rates, but costs may be higher depending on the level of care required. Also, if there is limited availability, there is no guaranteed access to care.
Do both options include access to healthcare?
Yes. Both Life Care and Continuing Care contracts provide access to healthcare within the community, though levels of priority may differ.
Why wouldn’t everyone choose Life Care?
Life Care requires financial and medical qualifications. It also involves a different financial structure that may not align with every individual’s preferences.
What happens if I don’t have a plan in place?
Without a plan, families may need to search for available care options during a time of urgency. Availability and cost can vary, especially in highly regarded communities.
Understanding the difference between Life Care and Continuing Care is an important step in making an informed decision.
Both options are designed to provide support over time. The key is choosing the approach that aligns with how you prefer to plan, both financially and personally.
At Santa Marta, these conversations are approached with care and clarity. Our role is to help you understand how each option works, so you can move forward with confidence in your decision.
If you’re exploring senior living in Johnson County and want a community where mission, hospitality, and meaningful living come together, we would love to connect with you. Whether you’re just beginning your research or ready to take the next step, our team is here to answer questions, schedule a personal visit, or simply have a conversation. Contact one of our senior living sales counselors today.
Discover how Santa Marta is a place where lives flourish.
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