Where we live has a lot to do with our quality of life.

Making sure our aging loved ones find homes that support their needs over time can be a vital part of enhancing their health, happiness and overall well-being.

Continuing care retirement communities can be a great solution for many families because they offer independent living, assisted living and nursing care services on a single campus, allowing residents to remain in the community as their needs change.

If your family is considering a continuing care retirement community, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Residents must be ambulatory to enter many of them.

Residents pay an entry fee when they move in, then a monthly service fee (which often includes dining, utilities, routine housekeeping and maintenance of the residence).

The combination of the entrance fee and the monthly fee helps offset the increased expenses associated with residents' need of advanced care and offers a more predictable monthly payment over time.

Most offer cottage and apartment homes with a variety of opportunities for social interaction, physical fitness and cultural activities on the campus.

For information or to find a community in your neighborhood, visit www.liftcaregiving.com.

Don Lecky is president and CEO of Westminster Canterbury Richmond, and Katie Gilstrap is co-founder of Lift Caregiving.