Life Plan Communities or Continuing Care Retirement Communities (communities like Trinity Woods) can be a wonderful solution for older adults who are independent and active today, but who seek the peace of mind that comes with living in a community that can provide assisted living or health care services if and when needed. But how do you know if a CCRC is right for you?

If you answer yes to most of these introductory questions, then it may be worth exploring your options further:

Do you want to downsize your homeowner responsibilities? (interior/exterior maintenance and repairs)

Do you like to plan ahead to control, reduce or eliminate the uncertainty about future housing and health care costs?

If you ever need assisted living or advanced healthcare services, do you want assurance that such services are guaranteed and provided by the community in which you live?

Would you prefer a social and active community environment—with various services and amenities available to you—that also affords you privacy and independence?

Are you interested in having easy access to a variety of wellness programs and other activities?

Would you like to reduce the number of meals you prepare by having access to a meal plan and possibly bistro-style dining options?

Do you want to reduce the chance that your adult children or other family members will be responsible to provide or coordinate assisted living or nursing care if you need it?

Are you prepared to possibly pay an entry fee and monthly service fees in exchange for the above?

Content provided with express written permission from myLifeSite | www.mylifesite.net

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain
“Just be yourself!” The resounding encouragement most likely to be spoken to someone doubting their abilities. In the smash hit Frozen, Elsa had to learn to be herself, discarding the “conceal” message her parents had instilled in her as a child and harnessing her unique powers for the good of her kingdom.
In the smash hit Coco, young Miguel had to break out of the “make shoes” message of his parents and learn to be himself, a music-loving Mexican singer who brought joy to his village.

How does God feel about this message to “be yourself”? After reading the Bible, I would say that God cautiously loves it. We see God’s love for our uniqueness in Paul’s masterful analogy of the human body “God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be” 1 Corinthians 12:18. Just as God wants elbows to be elbows and eyeballs to be eyeballs, so also God wants you to be you. The idea that we are unique and are uniquely made for a purpose is wonderfully biblical. That begs the question—Who are you?

I’ve come to realize that I can read faster, write more clearly, and speak more easily than the average person. For me, “be you” looks like investing as much of my time into these God-given talents so that more people can get connected to Jesus.

And you? Are you wired for emotion, compassion, or comforting people? Do you have the courage to take that first step as a leader? Do you have the ability to come up with fresh ideas? I don’t know exactly how God made you, but I do know that God made you to be you…for Him. Because when you are who God created you to be for Him, you’ll be the best you possible.

Adapted from Pastor Mike Novotny at timeofgrace.org