RV Assisted Living

[bcramer]

I have been thinking about a kind of retirement community that might not exist, yet. There are retirement communities that have all levels of care: independent living, assisted living, nursing home care, and hospice. I am looking for a place like that. But, one that has an integrated RV park that provides part of the independent living housing. Does that exist anywhere? I envision a place where you can live in your own RV, and when you need more assisted living services, they could be provided in your RV environment. When your required level of care exceeds what can be provided in your RV, you could than move into the appropriate part of the main facility. Does anything like this exist?

[itat]

I doubt that that’s practical due to accessibility reasons. A lot of residents will use walkers so having stairs is not going to work. And nothing inside a normal RV is designed to modern accessibility standards.

[bcramer]

You would be staying in your own RV in independent living - handicap accessibility shouldn't be an issue. And, many physically limited people have adapted their RVs successfully. An existing community with continuity of care shouldn't need to do much more than to add an RV park nearby.

[5picker]

Nice idea and there is some merit but your idea could be set to any number of living quarters such as Chalets, tiny homes, yurts, A-frame homes, etc.


And, assisted living isn't just for the folks living there either. The facility needs to be accessible for the people that work there and be conducive to maintain.

Simply said, you don't see facilities like you are imagining because they would just not be practical.

[JWood422]

There are companies that provide in-home assistance on several levels. That would be the easiest way to start. I personally see the merit in your idea. You might want to Google around and see if one exists. If not then maybe get some investors together and start one. I imagine it would be a risky business model but if it doesn’t work out you’d still have an RV park.
Some of the best ideas were scoffed and scorned in the beginning. It might work. Who knows.

[chriscowles]

Independent and Assisted Living facilities require a license. I doubt the license standards include RVs..

[1100mike]

I would think that, by the time you need assisted living, your RV days are done. I visit my 89 yr old mother several times a week in one..

[Lundy]

When my father was getting older he lived full time in his RV on our property. He had an episode that required a stay in the hospital. Afterwards Kaiser refused to pay for in home followup care in an RV. They were requiring a permanent resident building. We ended up having to place him in an assistant care facility to get his insurance (kaiser) to pony up. Just telling our experience with this type of living.

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Independent and Assisted Living facilities require a license. I doubt the license standards include RVs..

Yes, if you call it an "assisted living facility". My thought is that someone could offer "in home" services to people living in RVs-you know, the basics such as cleaning, meals, trips to medical facilities.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine

Yes, if you call it an "assisted living facility". My thought is that someone could offer "in home" services to people living in RVs-you know, the basics such as cleaning, meals, trips to medical facilities.

You could call it that but it is the state's definition of independent or assisted living facility that determines what it is, and the services you propose sound a lot like independent, at least (providing meals and housekeeping).

I'm not saying it's a dumb idea. It sounds like someone could run an operation like that as a small business. I just think it could be under far more regulatory scrutiny than you anticipate.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by bcramer

I have been thinking about a kind of retirement community that might not exist, yet. There are retirement communities that have all levels of care: independent living, assisted living, nursing home care, and hospice. I am looking for a place like that. But, one that has an integrated RV park that provides part of the independent living housing. Does that exist anywhere? I envision a place where you can live in your own RV, and when you need more assisted living services, they could be provided in your RV environment. When your required level of care exceeds what can be provided in your RV, you could than move into the appropriate part of the main facility. Does anything like this exist?

None that I am aware of. But the area that we live would not have enough RVers to support such a place.

The cost would be prohibitive and he ability / liability to move an RV when owner is unable to would probably not be within the facilities interest.

Currently retirement centers own the entire facility. You pay a fee to enter the facility, then pay a monthly fee (rent) for a "cottage" or apartment, or pay a daily fee for assisted living, memory, or health care. If you tie up two places a cottage and say assisted living you pay for both places or give one of them back to the facility. You own nothing but your personal property (furniture etc.). This gives facility employees the right to enter your living space in certain conditions but probably not your RV.

Great idea though.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by PhilFromMaine

Yes, if you call it an "assisted living facility". My thought is that someone could offer "in home" services to people living in RVs-you know, the basics such as cleaning, meals, trips to medical facilities.

Here an assisted living living facility requires a license and periodic state inspections. Doubt an RV would meet the state requirements. Handicapped assessable bathrooms etc.

[Dan_Frisbie]

Here’s someone thinking outside the box and asking for some ideas.
Then the standard “comfort zone” tells him why it can’t happen.

I like the idea. This seems very similar to a hospice/home care type deal that already exists, so work off of that model.
You would need to join the independent and assisted elements in a way that has not yet been done, but there’s no reason why it couldn’t be accomplished.

[PhilFromMaine]

The difference between an assisted living facility and a third party offering services would be ownership. If you took a regular 55 and older campground and the owner allowed third party businesses to offer services to those in the campground who wished to purchase them, that by definition, would not be a assisted living facility.

In fact, that exists today for people who need some assistance and want to stay in their homes. When I retired, I drove for a non-profit that offered rides to people for doctor's appointments, lite shopping, etc. Then there is the non-profit Meals on Wheels, numerous maid services, etc.

The major sticking points are campgrounds wanting to be known as an "Assisted Living Campground" and other regular assisted living facilities "pigishly" crying foul.

[PhilFromMaine]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

You could call it that but it is the state's definition of independent or assisted living facility that determines what it is, and the services you propose sound a lot like independent, at least (providing meals and housekeeping).

I'm not saying it's a dumb idea. It sounds like someone could run an operation like that as a small business. I just think it could be under far more regulatory scrutiny than you anticipate.

I hear you Chris. Regulation can be a good thing, but it can be stupid and self serving at times.

We have a housing crisis almost everywhere in the USA. We have people living on the streets. Locally an older, but adequate, motel offered up its facilities to house the homeless and get them off the streets. Wouldn't you know it, the idea was shot down because someone claimed that the motel didn't meet the current building code requirements.

[Oaklevel]

Climate would have a lot to do with it. I would not want to stay year round in a camper where it is below freezing a good part of the year.

I am sure that there are campgrounds that would allow maid, medical care and food services in to your permanent sites.

[moose074]

I imagine with a fancy wording and some forethought it could be done. Like others have said would be logistical obstacles like who owns rv, what type, age and condition would be allowed. I could see a third party option as mentioned above being used on a 55 and older park.

[JWood422]

We have a local company called Visiting Angels. They provide in-home assistance to those who need it. As far as an assisted living campground, I imagine it would be easier to live in a campground fulltime and have a service come help you with your level of care.
There’s no government standard that I see that requires anyone to live in conditions that are livable. (Trust me on this.) Some hospice companies have their own standards that must be met for them to provide service. Not all have any requirements. (Trust me on this.)
My takeaway on this thread is that if you have an idea, you can make it happen with enough time and effort. Don’t rely on this forum to make up your mind either way. You may surprise us all.

[Iwritecode]

I won't say you shouldn't do it and I won't say it can't be done... BUT

I think there are a lot of reasons something like this doesn't exist already.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

I won't say you shouldn't do it and I won't say it can't be done... BUT

I think there are a lot of reasons something like this doesn't exist already.

According to a google search, there is one in Livingston, Texas:


https://www.aarp.org/personal-growth...tired_rvs.html

and here is their website:

https://escapeescare.org/

and this is a youtube video from their website:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgMU8fm0Pnk