What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a service for people who need help with the activities of daily living (ADLs). Assisted living facilities span the gap between independent living and nursing homes. They may be temporary or long-term housing, especially designed to help seniors who are mostly independent but need help with some day-to-day activities — transportation, medication management, meals, bathing, dressing, housekeeping, and getting to the doctor.
Most facilities offer immediate access to emergency help, such as a pull-cord or pendant alarm that alerts staff if a resident falls or has another emergency. This can minimize the harm from a fall, stroke, or other health event because help is only minutes away.
Assisted Living vs. Independent Living vs. Nursing Home
| Independent Living | Assisted Living | Nursing Home | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self care | 100% independent | Needs help with ADLs | Cannot survive without this level of assistance |
| Medical conditions | None to minor | Minor to major | Life threatening |
| Size range | 400–3,000 sq ft | 250–600 sq ft | 100–300 sq ft |
| Emergency help | Attendant available | Attendant on 24-hour staff | Nurses on 24-hour duty |
| Privacy | Private or semi-private residence | Usually one building with private living areas | Private or shared rooms |
| Kitchen | Full-size kitchen possible | Mini kitchen | None |
| Design | Luxury home or standard apartment | Studio to 2-bedroom, hotel-like | Similar to a hospital |
| Payment | Private pay only | Private pay; some states subsidize beds | Many accept Medicare & Medicaid |
| Cost range | $1,500–$10,000/mo | $2,000–$8,000/mo | $2,000–$6,000/mo |
A quick way to understand the levels of care is to look at the kitchen — the ability to make food for yourself. A nursing home has no kitchen; an assisted living apartment has a small one; independent living can have a full kitchen.
Assisted living facilities also offer strong social interaction. Meals are typically served in a shared dining area, so residents see their neighbors far more than they would living at home. Most facilities have an activities director who organizes outings and events, and many include physical and mental health or rehab programs to help residents maintain or regain independence.
Other common names for assisted living include adult foster care, retirement residences, adult living facilities, domiciliary care, residential care, and community-based retirement facilities.
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