Find Assisted Living Near You

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a housing arrangement for seniors who need some supervision and help with activities of daily living such as meal preparation, housekeeping and bathing, but who don't need skilled nursing care. At most assisted living communities, you can expect to see private or semiprivate rooms within a complex along with meals, shared dining, kitchenettes, common spaces for socializing, organized activities, transportation services, specialized care for Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, and more.

Assisted Living Care, Services and Amenities

Today’s senior assisted living communities offer a wide variety of services and amenities to their residents. Oftentimes less expensive than skilled nursing facilities or in-home care, most assisted living communities have a full, round-the-clock staff trained to assist residents with a variety of daily activities, from eating, bathing and dressing to medication management, toileting and help with incontinence. Many assisted living centers also provide specialized care for residents with dementia.

Assisted living goes by different names in different states, and licensing requirements will vary. Here in our assisted living directory, you'll find assisted living providers, personal care homes, board and care homes, and alzheimer's care facilities.

Most assisted living facilities also provide housekeeping, three daily meals plus snacks, scheduled transportation, health and exercise programs, and a host of organized health activities and events. Many communities feature on-site amenities like gyms, swimming pools, common areas for socializing, beauty salons, pharmacies, libraries, pets and more.

Costs of Assisted Living

The average monthly cost of assisted living in the U.S. is about $3,300 per month for a one-bedroom unit. But it's important to note that the cost of assisted living varies widely depending on a number of factors. Base costs for assisted living centers typically cover room and board and meals. Other charges that may not be covered in the base fees might include deposits, entry fees, housekeeping, and laundry. Additional fees are typically charged for special care.

Factors that affect the cost of assisted living include:

Paying for Assisted Living

Assisted living can be pricey, but in many cases, it’s more affordable than in-home care or nursing home care in the same geographic area. There are many ways to pay for assisted living, which isn’t covered by Medicare, except in the case of long-term rehabilitation. Long-term care insurance, veteran’s benefits, life insurance, annuities, a bridge loan, or simply pooling family resources are all common ways to cover the costs of assisted living.

Top Assisted Living Communities

Caring.com has compiled more than 100,000 consumer reviews of senior living communities across the U.S. to see what residents and their loved ones are saying about these facilities. These facilities range from large national chains to local companies that manage only one assisted living facility. Different facilities offer their own unique programs, but many offer similar amenities.

The right assisted living option is different for each individual and family, and reviews can help you gauge whether a community may be a good fit for you or your loved one.

Senior Living: Assisted Living Facilities and Other Options

Not all senior living communities offer assistance for their residents, so it's important to familiarize yourself with the different types of communities and the types of services they provide.

Assisted living homes are designed for residents that need some assistance with daily activities but do not need skilled nursing care. In addition to assisted living, there are:

Independent living communities, commonly known as retirement communities, are where seniors who don’t require care live within a community of fellow seniors. Homes in these communities are typically smaller and easier to manage. Learn more about independent living communities

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), provide a full range of housing choices and services on one campus -- from independent living to assisted living to skilled nursing. This option is best for those who want to be able to stay in one place as they age. Learn more about continuing care retirement communities

Board and care facilities are designed for seniors who can't live independently due to physical or mental disabilities but who don't require fulltime skilled nursing care.

Skilled nursing facilities, also called nursing homes, are best for those with physical or mental health conditions requiring fulltime monitoring and medical care. Nursing homes that also offer rehabilitation services for those who need short-term, fulltime care are also considered "rehabilitation facilities.” Most skilled nursing residents live in semi-private rooms, and meals are usually provided. Learn more about the differences between assisted living and nursing home care.

More Assisted Living Resources

Get more answers to your top questions about assisted living care.