If you’ve started researching life plan communities, you’ve probably run into a number that stopped you in your tracks. A six-figure entrance fee, due before you even move in.
It’s a common model in senior living, but it’s not the only one. At Otterbein, our life plan communities, also known as Continuing Care Retirement Communities, or CCRCs, don’t require an entrance fee. You get access to the same full continuum of care, from independent living to assisted living and long-term care, without that upfront cost standing between you and your next chapter.
Here’s what this means for you and your family.
What an Entrance Fee Normally Buys You
Traditional life plan communities often ask residents to pay a large entrance fee, sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars, in exchange for priority access to future levels of care. The idea is that you’re securing your place today for care needs you may need in the future.
That fee often means a major financial commitment, tied-up savings, or a lump sum due before you’ve even settled in. For many families, that’s the moment the whole decision to move to a senior living community stalls.
| Traditional Life Plan Community | Otterbein Life Plan Community |
|---|---|
| Large entrance fee, often six figures, due before move-in | No entrance fee required: You can move forward without clearing a large financial hurdle first |
| Home equity gets tied up in the fee right away | Home equity stays flexible: Use it for the move, monthly costs, or keep it as part of your plan |
| The decision to move can stall while a family arranges a lump sum | Same full continuum of care: Independent living, assisted living, and long-term care, all on one campus |
| Full continuum of care, secured through the upfront payment | Options if you want them: Entrance-fee plans, including a refundable option, are still available at some communities for families who prefer them |
| Peace of mind for adult children: A care plan already in place with partners your parent knows and trusts |
Why Otterbein Does It Differently
At Otterbein SeniorLife, our life plan communities offer the full spectrum of care, independent living, assisted living, and long-term care, all on one campus, without requiring an entrance fee.
For families in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan, this flexibility matters. Many prospective residents have spent decades building equity in their homes. Rather than funneling that equity into an entrance fee right away, you have more flexibility in how you use it — for the move itself, for your monthly costs, or simply to keep as part of your financial plan.
That’s the spirit behind this model. It’s about removing an obstacle that shouldn’t be there in the first place so you can start your next chapter confidently.
Peace of Mind Built In
Without an entrance fee, Otterbein life plan communities still deliver everything a full continuum of care is meant to provide:
- Independent living with home maintenance off your plate, a full calendar of programs, and a community built around connection
- Assisted living with support for daily tasks, delivered with warmth and consistency from partners who know your name
- Long-term care for more complex needs, without the confusion of switching providers or starting over somewhere new
- Peace of mind for adult children, knowing their parent’s care plan is already in place, with people they know and trust
A Note on Entrance Fee Options
While the monthly rental fee option requires no entrance fee, many Otterbein communities also offer entrance-fee-based plans for those who prefer them — including a 100% refundable entrance fee option and a refundable life use fee (RLUF), both of which can lower your monthly cost. A lifestyle counselor can walk you through all the options for your community. See our full cost breakdown for details.
A Decision Made Easier, Not Harder
We know that researching senior living options can feel overwhelming, especially when every community seems to come with a different pricing structure and a different set of community amenities. Our goal is to make the financial picture as clear as the rest of the decision, so you can focus on what matters most: finding a place that feels right for the next stage of your life.
Curious what life plan living without an entrance fee looks like at an Otterbein community near you? Find your nearest Otterbein community, schedule a tour, or get in touch with our team — we’re glad to answer your questions or schedule a time to show you around our communities.
