What are assisted living communities?

Making the choice to move out of your home due to increased care needs is a big, personal decision. It’s only natural to feel a bit uncertain. You might worry that moving out of your home means letting go of your independence and who you are. But with assisted living there are ways to continue to be independent while getting the support you need. 

Assisted living communities or facilities (ALC) are designed to help you maintain your sense of self, to enhance your independence, provide you with companionship, and keep living life your way—all while receiving the care and support you need to thrive. 

An assisted living community or residence is a safe, long-term care community that combines housing, supportive services, activities, and hands-on care for older adults in generally good health who may need assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs) such as managing medications, preparing food, using the bathroom, or other daily needs.

They’re called communities because they’re more than just housing – they're a place filled with connection, support, and opportunities for residents to engage and grow. Assisted living communities create a sense of belonging backed up by a network of support.

In fact, one of the biggest misunderstandings around assisted living is that accepting help is the same as losing independence, according to Amy Prentzler, senior manager of clinical claims at CareScout. “In a well-run ALC, the goal should be almost the opposite: provide help with the things that have become difficult, so the resident has more energy, safety, confidence, and freedom for the things they still want to do,” she says.

The right amount of assistance can sometimes increase functional independence, too. “Rather than doing everything for a resident, good caregivers encourage residents to continue doing what they are capable of doing safely,” she adds. “Maintaining participation in activities of daily living can help preserve function, mobility, self-esteem and autonomy.”

Assisted living provides a supportive, residential environment that helps older adults with daily activities, personal care, meals, medications, housekeeping, transportation, and social engagement while allowing them to maintain as much independence and choice as possible. 

The better question might be what don’t assisted living communities provide. Many assisted living communities are like living in a local neighborhood with resort-style amenities. Some amenities can include dining, daily activities and events, medication reminders, housekeeping, and linen service. It’s a lifestyle that meets you where you’re at and enhances your independence. Here’s a list of some of the services assisted living can provide:

• Provision of room and board 

• Development of an individualized service plan 

• Access to personal care assistance and medication management 

• Minimum of one meal per day (may be up to three) 

• 24-hour on-site staff and minimum qualifications for employees 

• Housekeeping and linen services 

• Social and recreational activities 

• Transportation to medical care 

Each assisted living community can vary on what it offers, but many feature studios, suites, shared rooms, and one- and two-bedroom apartments. Apartment amenities can include porches, balconies, access to courtyards, and more.

Assisted living communities also vary depending on if they’re in a city, in a small town, or in a rural area, but living spaces, dining rooms, activity rooms, pools, and fitness centers are all centrally located in one building. It’s like any other apartment, but with added amenities to support you.

Amy Prentzler, senior manager of clinical claims at CareScout, suggests checking out an assisted living community for yourself whenever possible. While online reviews are helpful, what one person didn’t like could be something another person loves.

“That is why we stress the importance of reviewing communities yourself whenever possible,” Prentzler said. “Have a meal there, take a tour, speak with current residents about what their days look like. That will provide you with the best picture of how your experience may be.” 

All kinds of people! Assisted living communities offer an alternative for people who no longer want to, or are no longer able to, live alone. Some assisted living residents need help with a certain aspect of daily life like getting dressed, using the restroom, bathing, or managing their medication, but are otherwise able to go about their day by themselves. Assisted living may be appropriate for someone who is too frail to live at home but does not need 24-hour skilled nursing care.

“Typically, there isn't one single event that means it's “time” for assisted living," Prentzler says. “More often, families notice a pattern of small changes suggesting that living independently is becoming harder, less safe, or more isolating.” 

One particularly useful question, she adds, is: Is this person truly living independently, or are they remaining at home only because someone else is quietly holding everything together? “If a spouse or adult child has to provide increasing amounts of assistance to make living at home possible, that's a reasonable point to begin exploring alternatives.” 

One of the most common questions families ask is, "What is assisted living versus a nursing home?" While both provide care and support for older adults, they serve different needs.

Assisted living is generally intended for people who can manage many aspects of daily life but need help with certain activities, such as bathing, dressing, mobility, or medication management. 

A nursing home, sometimes called a nursing center or skilled nursing facility, provides a higher level of care. Residents may have more complex health needs and require ongoing monitoring, medical support, or supervision from licensed healthcare professionals.

In general: 

• Assisted living focuses on independence, daily support, and community life. 

• Nursing homes focus on skilled nursing and more intensive health needs. 

• Assisted living often provides an apartment-style environment. 

• Nursing homes provide around-the-clock care for people who require greater medical support and attention. 

The right option depends on a person's health, mobility, daily care needs, and whether skilled nursing services are required. 

As we mentioned above, assisted living is for generally healthy older adults who may need assistance with ADLs. Other types of aging care can include:

Nursing center: Also known as nursing communities, these settings provide 24/7 care for people who need more intensive care and attention. These tend to look more like hospitals and are not the apartment-style setting of assisted living.

Home care: Sometimes called personal care, this is for people who need help with ADLs, and either want to stay in their home or can stay in their home. Home care staff can include home health aides and homemakers.

Home health care: This type of care has the clinic come to you. You can manage your illness or other medical condition from the comfort of your own home with a licensed nurse or physical, occupational, and speech therapist coming to your door.

Independent living: A similar apartment-style community for older adults that provides housing, activity programming, meals, and other amenities, but does not include support for ADLs.

Adult day care: This is a place for older adults to go to get care and companionship when they can’t be left alone during the day. Adult day health centers are usually open on weekdays and provide activities and meals. 

Memory care: These communities provide specialized, intensive care for people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Memory care is similar to assisted living in that it provides housing, meals, and activities, but there are important differences such as extra security, emphasis on daily routines, and staff members specially trained in caring for people with memory impairments. 

The cost of assisted living varies depending on factors such as location, apartment type, community amenities, and the level of support a resident needs. Monthly costs may include housing, meals, activities, housekeeping, transportation, and certain personal care services.

Some communities charge a single monthly rate that includes many services. Others charge a base rate for housing and add fees based on the type or amount of personal assistance a resident receives. 

Medication management, transportation, specialized programming, and additional care may come with separate costs.

When comparing assisted living communities, consider asking: 

• What’s included in the monthly rate? 

• Which services require an additional fee? 

• Is there a move-in fee? 

• How are changes in a resident's care needs assessed and priced? 

• How often can rates increase? 

• What happens if a resident eventually needs more care than the community provides? 

Understanding the complete pricing structure can help you compare communities more accurately and plan for both current and future care needs. 

Assisted living communities are a great option for those who need support with ADLs but are in generally good health and want to maintain an active, independent lifestyle in an apartment-like complex that brings them close to friends and social activities.

A senior living advisor can help you understand your options and identify communities that may be a good fit.

When determining if assisted living is right for you, Prentzler suggests considering these factors: 

Heath Needs: “You will want to consider your daily care requirements and any medical conditions you may have. Assisted living can help with activities such as medication management, dressing, or bathing.” 

Financial Considerations: “Assisted living can be costly and, in most circumstances, a private pay commitment, so it is crucial to understand your finances. Make sure to review your budget and financial resources.” 

Social Interaction: “Assisted living can provide opportunities for community activities and social engagement which is a great benefit if you are finding yourself feeling lonely or isolated.” 

Independence: “Assisted living provides support while also allowing you to maintain a level of independence. Consider how much independence you would like to have.” 

Safety Concerns: “Assisted living is designed to be accessible and safe. Consider if you have, or could potentially have, safety concerns in your current living situation. These could be mobility challenges or risk for falls.”

You may want to start by getting an ADL assessment to determine what assistance you need. Assessments are a hands-off series of questions administered by a clinician at your home or virtually to look at how you perform daily tasks.