Religiously Affiliated Continuum of Care Retirement Communities

This paper reports the results of an exploratory study of nine religiously affiliated continuum of care retirement communlties. The study examines the meaning of religious sponsorship and seven models of structural relationship between CCRCs and their sponsors are developed. All communities have board members, and managers from their parent religious groups, plus chaplains to minister to their residents. However, residents in all communities come from multiple religious backgrounds. Implications of sponsorship are discussed.