And even financially stable CCRCs have drawn their residents' ire, sparking lawsuits in a few places, by using their capital to acquire other facilities on shakier footing.
Take care while shopping: Since 2008, a few communities around the country and one large operator, Erickson Retirement Communities, have sought bankruptcy protection. (Erickson was bought and renamed Erickson Living.) Other CCRCs have cut staff, reduced services or postponed opening assisted-living or skilled-nursing units.