The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities – CARF International – has publicly congratulated Givens Highland Farms and Givens Estates for outstanding performance in the recently released “America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities 2024” by Newsweek.

Newsweek partnered with global research firm Statista to spotlight outstanding achievements of 250 top-tier CCRCs. Givens Highland Farms, located in Black Mountain, ranked 7th in North Carolina and 40th in the nation. Givens Estates in Asheville was ranked 1st in the state and 13th nationally.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services, and assists service providers in demonstrating value by setting internationally recognized organizational and program standards.

Brian Boon, CARF President and CEO, and Terrence Carolan, Managing Director of Aging Services and Medical Rehabilitation, wrote in letters to the executive directors of Givens Highland Farms and Givens Estates that the achievement was “a testament to the dedication and diligence of team members to enhance the lives of residents of your community. We commend you and your team on this recognition and your outstanding dedication to the wellness and engagement of the older adults you serve.”

Newsweek used CARF accreditation as a key factor in its deciding state and national standings, giving an automatic 10% towards an organization’s final score. Other factors utilized in making the determination included extensive evaluations, assessment of care, amenities and life fulfillment, and surveys of medical professionals and CCRC residents, family and friends.

“While many measurements are used in creating these rankings, I am most impressed by the honest reflections made by the individuals surveyed,” said Ken Kramer, Executive Director of Givens Highland Farms. “That residents stepped forward and willingly shared that Givens Communities foster an environment that encourages interests, passions and friendships is a true testament to the community we have.”

Residents at Givens Estates enjoy a lifestyle that provides opportunities for enrichment and discovery, said David Smith, Interim Executive Director. “All of Givens Communities hold the ambition to stand as a national leader in senior living and we work to set a benchmark for being the best in senior living, where personal growth and personal fulfillment are shared goals.”

There are more than 2,000 CCRCs currently in the United States that offer a continuum of long-term care options, allowing residents to access higher-level care as needed. The communities typically include Independent Living, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing Care, and Memory Care.

Statista and Newsweek created “America‘s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities 2024” to provide guidance on CCRCs with a comprehensive resource for informed decision making.