Helping you know the difference in senior living and care

Understand The Difference In Senior Living and Care

55+ living

A community designed with the needs of aged 55+ as a focus (rather than young couple etc.). Typically gated. 

Adult family home

Home in a residential area licensed for care. A room, meals, laundry, supervision, and varying levels of assistance with care provided. Different levels of support exist. 

Assisted living communities

Residential living arrangement providing individualized personal care, assistance with Activities of Daily Living, help with medications, and services such as laundry and housekeeping. Licensed to provide care and support to seven or more people.

Boarding and Care home

Home in a residential area designed to provide a room, meals, laundry, supervision, and varying levels of assistance with care provided. Different levels of support exist. In many states, Board and Care Homes are licensed or certified.

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs)

A community offering a range of services and levels of care, including active and assisted living options.  

Independent living

Private quarters with access to assistive services like housekeeping, social activities, transportation, emergency help, and security.

Life plan communities (LPCs)

A community offering a range of services and levels of care, including active and assisted living options.  

Lifestyle retirement communities

Community specialized in one particular commonality (e.g., LGBTQ, religion, golf, etc.) The staff does not take on the general responsibility for the safety and well-being of the adult.

Memory care

Long-term assisted living and supervised care designed for people living with memory issues such as dementia. 

Nursing Home

A licensed facility that provides general nursing care to those who are chronically ill or unable to take care of daily living needs. 

Retirement community

Community exclusively for seniors. Access to social activities, valet services, and in-house support systems. The staff does not take on the general responsibility for the safety and well-being of the adult.

Senior cooperative housing

Independent older residents own a share of the community with an equal voice in how it's run. Tax benefits of homeownership are maintained.

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