When we moved my MIL to a full-service/full-care CCRC, we found that as time went on she was increasingly reluctant to go outside with us. She had everything she wanted at the facility: housekeeping, laundry, hairdresser, social activities, religious services, excellent meals, lots of smiling staff and residents to chat with.
After about a year, she really only wanted to go out for a rare 2x/yr drugstore trip (she could have walked there with a group from the facility; which escorts the seniors on short excursions out, but she preferred to be driven by us, LOL), and a weekly trip to eat Asian food, which they didn't serve at the facility. We also took her to all doctor appts, as needed.
At another facility we investigated, this time for ourselves, we were talking to one of the residents. He said he used to go on cruises, but finally decided (he was 75) that he preferred staying home. He said living at the facility was like being on a cruise ship every day, except that he didn't have to live out of a suitcase!
We found at larger facilities with active management, the social or activities director brings in various groups - musicians, high school choirs, lecturers. And all offered regular excursions out to shop: Target or Wal-Mart, drugstores, or just sight-seeing attractions. That's in addition to being able to schedule transportation to doctor appts.
