Senior care needs rarely stay the same for long. A parent who manages daily tasks with ease today may need more support in a year or two, and planning matters for families weighing housing choices near Colorado Springs. The continuing care retirement community model exists for that reason. It groups several levels of support on one campus so a resident does not have to relocate every time a need changes.
Cost is usually the first topic families ask about, and it is a fair one. Entrance fees, monthly rates, and the pricing gap between independent living, assisted living, and memory care can differ by tens of thousands of dollars depending on the contract and the community. Understanding the cost of continuing care retirement communities upfront makes the rest of the search far less stressful.
What a Continuing Care Retirement Community Actually Includes
A continuing care retirement community, often shortened to CCRC or referred to as a life plan community, combines independent living with assisted living and memory care under one roof or across a single campus. This continuum-of-care approach means a resident can move between levels of care as needs change without a full relocation. Some CCRCs also include skilled nursing. Contracts fall into a few categories: life care contracts that bundle future care into one upfront price, modified contracts that cap certain services, and fee-for-service contracts that charge separately for care as it is used.
Breaking Down the Cost of a Continuing Care Retirement Community
Traditional CCRCs typically require two separate payments: an entrance fee paid before move-in and a monthly service fee afterward. According to a U.S. News analysis of CCRC pricing, entrance fees can range from around $100,000 to more than $1 million, with the national average landing near $400,000.
That same analysis cites data from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care showing an average monthly rental rate near $3,873 for a resident entering at the independent living level. Refund terms vary considerably: some entrance fees are fully refundable, others decline over time, and a few are nonrefundable altogether, so the fine print in a contract makes a real financial difference.
Why Pricing Changes Across Levels of Care
Independent living tends to be the least expensive because it requires the fewest staffing hours per resident. Assisted living adds help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, along with 24-hour team member coverage, which raises the monthly rate.
Memory care has the highest cost of the three because it requires specialized training, secure layouts, and a higher caregiver-to-resident ratio. Locally, a Colorado-focused cost analysis citing CareScout and Genworth data placed the state’s median assisted living cost near $5,877 per month. National data compiled by Assisted Living Magazine from the 2025 Genworth Cost of Care Survey put memory care roughly 28% above standard assisted living nationwide. These figures move with location, unit size, and the amount of hands-on care a resident actually needs, so they work best as a planning benchmark rather than a fixed quote.
A Different Cost Structure at StoneCreek of Flying Horse Senior Living
StoneCreek of Flying Horse Senior Living offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care in one community at 1889 Silversmith Rd. in Colorado Springs, on The Club at Flying Horse golf course. Unlike a traditional entrance-fee CCRC, StoneCreek of Flying Horse operates on a month-to-month lease with no large upfront buy-in. Families pay for the level of care needed at move-in and can adjust that level later without a separate real estate transaction or a six-figure deposit.
As of August 2026, current published starting rates at StoneCreek of Flying Horse are $4,895 per month for independent living, $4,995 per month for assisted living, and $6,925 per month for memory care. These figures are subject to change based on floor plan, care assessment, and market conditions, so families comparing options should confirm the current rate directly with the community before making a final decision.
Housing, the Move, and Daily Life on Campus
Apartments at StoneCreek of Flying Horse come fully furnished through the My Home program, which reduces the moving list to personal belongings rather than an entire household. Moving Partners connects families with vetted local movers, so the physical transition does not fall entirely on one adult child juggling a career 70 miles away in Denver or elsewhere along the Front Range.
Day-to-day, residents have access to a casual bistro cafe and coffee lounge, along with the Fit For You fitness program and Outreach Club excursions to nearby landmarks such as Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and Fort Carson. Given the concentration of retirees from Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, and the Air Force Academy in the Colorado Springs area, transportation to base commissaries, VA appointments, and the military healthcare system is part of daily planning for many residents and their families.
Steps for Comparing Costs and Choosing the Right Level of Care
Families weighing a continuing care retirement community against a community like StoneCreek of Flying Horse can work through a few practical steps.
- Request a written breakdown of entrance fees, monthly rates, and what each fee actually covers before comparing two communities side by side.
- Ask directly whether a refund applies if a resident moves out or passes away shortly after move-in
- Confirm which level of care applies today and how the monthly rate would change if care needs increase
- Factor in Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, long-term care insurance, or Aid and Attendance where they apply
- Tour more than one community before signing a contract, since amenities and staffing ratios vary even at a comparable price point
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditional CCRCs generally require an entrance fee, often ranging from $100,000 to more than $1 million, plus a monthly service fee on top. Communities like StoneCreek of Flying Horse offer a comparable range of care levels on one campus without that entrance fee, using a month-to-month lease instead. A family researching the continuum of care in Colorado Springs will find both models represented in the local market, so comparing the actual contract terms matters more than the label.
Independent living typically costs the least since it involves the fewest staffing hours. Assisted living provides support with daily tasks and 24/7 team coverage. Memory care costs the most due to specialized training and a higher caregiver-to-resident ratio, often running 20% to 30% above standard assisted living rates.
Aid and Attendance, a federal benefit for eligible veterans and surviving spouses, can be applied toward senior living costs. Families should speak with the community directly and with a VA benefits counselor to confirm eligibility and current benefit amounts.
Weighing the Real Cost of Care in Colorado Springs
Cost comparisons between a traditional continuing care retirement community and a community like StoneCreek of Flying Horse come down to two different financial structures built around the same idea: access to multiple levels of care in one location. A large entrance fee buys a spot in a traditional CCRC contract. A month-to-month lease at StoneCreek of Flying Horse buys flexibility without that upfront number. Either path can work depending on a family’s financial picture, timeline, and comfort with long-term contracts. For a family exploring Colorado Springs retirement living options, the continuum of care question often matters more than the label on the contract.
Schedule a Visit to Talk Through Real Numbers
Talking with the team at StoneCreek of Flying Horse Senior Living can turn these national averages into a specific number for a particular care need. Rates, floor plans, and available levels of care change, and the community team can walk through current pricing, Aid and Attendance eligibility, and what a move would look like for a parent living near Fort Carson or Peterson Space Force Base. Schedule a personalized visit to get specific answers before making a decision.
This article should not replace financial advice. Families should talk with a financial advisor regarding their own budgeting and planning before signing any senior living contract.
