What Is a Type C Assisted Living Facility?

Assisted living facilities (ALFs) are a type of senior residence where the level of care falls between the minimal services featured in independent living, and the intensive, round-the-clock care of nursing homes. ALFs operate under several categories by the level of care offered, and their designation varies depending on where you live.

Most states assign levels of care within ALFs — Level 1, 2, 3, and so on — with the level of care increasing with each number. However, in Texas, assisted living facilities use A, B, and C distinctions. 

This guide focuses on Type C ALFs, which are small, adult foster homes that provide personal care to a maximum of four persons at a time in the Lone Star State.

Like all assisted living facilities, Type C facilities provide personalized services tailored to residents' individual needs. This level of care includes assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and medication management. 

Staff may also offer incontinence care, feeding assistance, and behavior monitoring as needed. Additionally, Type C facilities serve at least three meals daily, with food options tailored to their dietary requirements. These communities provide transportation to medical appointments and errands.

Texas assisted living facilities are primarily divided into Types A and B. Type C, meanwhile, is the designation for smaller home-like facilities that may also be called adult foster homes. Let's break down the differences in the three types a bit more.

Type A facilities are designed to care for residents who do not require routine care during sleeping hours. These residents should be able to leave the facility unassisted and follow directions in an emergency. Type B facilities are for residents who need a bit more care. They may require assistance during sleeping hours and need help transferring to and from a wheelchair. In an emergency, they would need help following directions or leaving the facility. 

Type C adult foster homes are smaller residences that serve four or fewer senior adults at a time. A licensed caregiver lives in the home, and there are shared common areas and private bedrooms. Services include meal preparation, housekeeping, companion services, personal care, and more. Transportation to medical appointments may also be included.

These facilities require providers and residents to live in the same household with shared common living areas. The residence must be safe, equipped with the appropriate safety features, and include a dining room and laundry facilities. Bedrooms should follow sizing requirements and be accessible to the provider's room in case of an emergency. 

Providers must be on-site 24 hours a day to supervise and assist with personal care tasks. Inspections occur at least annually, ensuring facilities maintain compliance with state standards.

Type C adult foster care facilities may appeal to those wishing for a more home-like experience. If you think your loved one might thrive in the smaller, more intimate setting of a Type C residence and believe it is time for assisted living, you may want to begin a conversation about why they should move to a Type C facility. 

When you talk to your parents about assisted living, be respectful of your loved one's wishes and needs, and include them as much as possible in all decisions regarding their future.

4100, Adult Foster Care. (2025). Texas Health and Human Services | Adult foster care (AFC). (2025). Texas Health and Human Services | Assisted living facility information. (n.d.). Texas Health and Human Services | Eldercare locator. (n.d.). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living