Accreditation—a Mark of Distinction

University Retirement Community (URC) is fully accredited by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC). This makes URC the second youngest community to ever receive this distinction. The CCAC is an independent accrediting body sponsored by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA). It is the nation's only accrediting body for continuing care retirement communities and other retirement communities that meet or exceed its standards of excellence in three critical areas: governance and administration; financial resources and disclosure; and resident life, health, and wellness. Accreditation is a rigorous voluntary process involving self-evaluation by the organization's staff, residents, and Board of Directors. It also entails a meticulous on-site review by trained CCAC evaluators. Out of the approximately 2,100 CCRCs in the nation, only about 341 are accredited. That means that a mere 16% of the existing CCRCs enjoy the distinction of full accreditation—and URC is among that elite group. According to the CCAC, "Accreditation is truly a mark of distinction. Accredited communities are 'the cream of the crop' when it comes to providing the very best programs and services to seniors in the nation."