Assisted Living Communities / Facilities

Features: Provide varying levels of assisted living for seniors who may need some help with daily life or medications. The environment is more independent than a nursing home.

Suitable for: Seniors who are largely independent but need minor assistance in a community living setting.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)

Features: Also known as nursing homes, SNFs offer full time nursing for more comprehensive health care needs. Either long term or short term care is provided.

Suitable for: Those with debilitating medical issues requiring 24 hour care.

Continued Care (CCRC)

Features: Multilevel retirement housing that includes independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing all in one community. There is often a buy-in fee for these facilities.

Suitable for: Those who want to remain in one facility as they age and require more care.

Board and Care Homes

Features: These are small residential style homes licensed to provide care to seniors. They offer one on one support and tend to be more affordable than assisted living facilities.

Suitable for: Seniors who need some care and want a more home-like setting on a limited budget.

Home Care and Hospice Care 

Features: Home care and hospice care provide differing levels of support at home. Caregivers are available hourly or to live in.

Suitable for: Home care is for older adults who want to stay in their homes but need some help. Hospice care is for the terminally ill who need varying or progressive degrees of care at home.

Dementia / Alzheimer's Care

Features: Licensed communities offer specialized care programs tailored to the complex needs of those with forgetfulness or wandering behavior.

Suitable for: Those who have been diagnosed with early to late stage dementia or Alzheimer's.

Independent Living

Features: This community lifestyle offers some amenities but no care services. They may offer one meal a day, housekeeping, concierge service, and/or a recreation program. Amenities differ greatly from one to the other.

Suitable for: Independent seniors who want community living with other active adults.

Senior Apartments / Villas

Features: 55+ retirement living apartments, condos or villas provide a totally independent lifestyle. There are no services or amenities included but may be common areas for activities and social gatherings.

Suitable for: Those who are independent, can cook and clean for themselves but want to be free of the burden of owning their own home.