Blog Posts
Is A Retirement Community Entry Fee Tax Deductible?
With Tax Day just behind us, we are once again sharing some basic information about potentially tax-deductible retirement community expenses. If you or a loved one is considering a senior living move to a
Following the Pied Piper to Dinner
By RWC Resident Betty T. Mill, PhD (Reprinted with permission from “Our Neighborhoods”) There was a time around 1983, I accompanied my husband on a trip to a NATO meeting in West Germany before
Taking A Close-Up Look at Retirement Community Guest Suites
When considering a move to a retirement community, there are many things to consider: the location, amenities, lifestyle, care options, and maybe most importantly, comfort and well-being of the residents. One sometimes-overlooked feature that
The Best Places to Retire: Why Coastal Virginia Stands Out
Deciding where to spend your retirement years is a deeply personal journey, and it goes far beyond the generic recommendations often found in “best places to retire” or “best states to retire in” articles.
CCRC Entry Fee Refunds: What Happens When a Resident Passes Away?
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs or life plan communities) offer a continuum of care, ranging from independent living to skilled nursing care, ensuring that residents’ care needs are met as they age. Many CCRCs
News Releases
RWC Offers Educational Opportunity on Lyme Disease — A Growing Concern for the Area
Residents & Community Members Invited to Harvard Professor’s Discussion As part of its ongoing commitment to offering timely, educational and important topics of interest to residents and the community, Rappahannock
Mel Neale’s Work Showcases Scenes Captured While Cruising the East Coast
RWC’s Featured Artist Lived Aboard a 47-foot Motorsailer for Nearly 20 Years It is fitting that in the dog days of summer, Rappahannock Westminster Canterbury (RWC) is featuring the yachts,
Former Newspaper Reporter Performing as Mark Twain at RWC July 5
Gary Robertson bears a striking resemblance to the 19th century American writer and humorist Retired Richmond newspaper reporter Gary Robertson bears a striking resemblance to 19th century American writer and
Two Residents Have Enjoyed Life at RWC for More Than 20 Years
Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury Recognizes Older Americans Month May is Older Americans Month and Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury (RWC) is proud to celebrate two of its longest-standing residents, Charlie Miller and Pat Morris, who
Chesapeake Academy Artists to Exhibit at RWC for First Time Since the Pandemic
Irvington grade school students display best work of the year in May In its first open-to-the-public art exhibition since COVID-19 hit the U.S. in March 2020, Rappahannock Westminster Canterbury
Upcoming Events
Health-friendly food bar and blood pressure checks 9 a.m. – noon in the Life Enrichment Center lobby on the third Wednesday of every month.
These events are free and open to Rappahannock Club members and prospective residents:
Navigating your Future at RWC
Join us for an engaging event at 1:30 p.m. on June 25 designed for couples considering a move to RWC. Hear from resident couples, participate in fun activities, and enjoy refreshments.
Email Denise Kenner or call 804-438-4877 to RSVP by June 17
Download the postcard to learn more.
View our Wellness/Fitness Calendar and our Activities Calendar to see what may be coming up or of interest. The calendar is full of activities on and off campus.
Tools and Resources
Making the move to a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is a big decision. To make sure relocating to Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury is the right move for you or your parents, we’ve compiled some handy resources and online tools.
RWC is not just a CCRC, but a Total Life Plan Community. You and your family can choose which works best for your situation. While the fees are higher when you select a Total Life Plan, you are ensured the continuum of care for life from independent living to assisting living to health care and even memory care. In fact, 89 percent of our current residents chose the Total Life Plan for this peace of mind.
Marketing Brochure and Fees
Request our Marketing Brochure and Fees to find out about our various fee structures and refundable plans and about the RWC Foundation that helps ensure that residents whose financial resources have been exhausted in spite of prudent planning can remain at RWC.
Living Options
Situated on 165 wooded acres, RWC has more free-standing homes than most retirement communities – 46 homes with 1 or 2-car garages in a variety of floor plans and up to 2,200 square feet. We also offer 77 cottages and 33 apartments from studio apartments to two-bedroom, two bath – some with a beautiful view of our 7-acre manmade lake.
Virtual Tours
While nothing beats an in-person tour, you can take a sneak peek at a variety of our housing options via our 360-degree virtual tours.
MoneyGauge Survey
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about moving to a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is that they cannot afford it. Answer 7 questions to find out if RWC is the right financial fit for you.
CCRC Tax Benefit
The IRS allows medical deductions for residents who itemize their deductions from gross income. A portion of the monthly fee may for independent living residents may qualify as a medical expense deduction (usually about a third of the entrance fee or somewhere near 30%) on your taxes. To find out about the current year’s exact percentage, contact RWC’s Marketing Team because the percentage fluctuates.
Finances are not the only consideration, of course. Many people wait to move to a CCRC because they are reluctant to admit that they may need a bit of extra help now or in the future.
Roobrik Tool
You can find out which options for the next stage of life are the best fit for you or your family with this quick survey tool that assesses if it’s the right time to downsize and the potential need for assistance.
RWC Blog
Our blog is full of useful posts about everything from why the holidays are a great time to talk to your parents about moving to a CCRC, why fall is a good time to move, 3 reasons seniors delay the decision to move, the joys of pet ownership for seniors and more! You can find answers to many of the questions within these blog posts
Senior Living Guide Podcast
The Senior Living Guide Podcast dives into topics that are important in the everyday lives of seniors and their caregivers. The host is joined by experts who offer their advice and expertise on these issues.

Jerry H.
“The residents have been most welcoming and friendly. The staff is very helpful, thoughtful and friendly.”

Lloyd and Valda F.
“The freedom of being able to choose just how much, or how little we do, as a couple, or individually each day is a gift. The spontaneity of the RWC lifestyle is an elixir.”

Helene and Peter B.
“These are our 5 favorite things about RWC not in any particular order: our residence and neighbors, the friendly staff, an excellent library, the facilities at the Life Enrichment Center, and especially all who cook, prepare, and serve our food.”
Testimonials
Research testimonials and reviews about any community you are considering. Resident and staff comments can help shed light on what it’s like to live or work in the CCRC.
Other resources that may help with your decision:
- Home Solutions – concierge services that take care of things like picking up your groceries, scheduling appointments, planning special events and more
- FAQs – Answers to frequently asked questions
- Rappahannock Club – Join our future residency club to “try before you buy.”
- Relocation Services – RWC has a list of approved and vetted local Realtors, home staging experts, downsizing pros, moving companies and more. Download our custom moving checklist. Contact RWC’s Marketing Team.
- Support Services – Find out about on-site support services available to residents and the community such as our Fit for Life wellness program, At Home with RWC, Parkinson’s, Memory Care and Grief support groups.