Plain guides to the options, the costs and the questions worth asking. Written for families working out what comes next, and free of charge, we take no referral fees from the communities we list.

Start here

If you are just beginning, these cover the ground fastest.

• What is Assisted Living? What is assisted living, when is it needed, and how it compares to independent living and nursing homes.
• Senior Housing Selection How to choose an assisted living facility or nursing home, plus a full checklist of questions on cost, food, staffing, safety and more.
• The Cost of Assisted Living Assisted living averages $60 to $80 per day. See what is included, extra levels-of-care fees, and options for paying when Medicare will not.
• Facility Reviews Read and write reviews for assisted living, nursing homes and other senior care, and learn how to weigh reviews when choosing a facility.

Types of care

• Independent Living Independent living offers a resort-like, stress-free lifestyle with social, healthy and safe amenities. Learn the benefits and typical costs.
• Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Care Understanding Alzheimer's and other dementias, how memory care facilities keep residents safe, and how to guard against neglect.
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities CCRCs offer independent living, assisted living, nursing and hospice in one community. Learn the benefits for long-term planners and couples.
• In-Home or Residential Senior Care In-home senior care lets seniors stay at home with help for daily activities. See services offered, typical costs and what to watch for.
• Senior Hospice and Palliative Care Hospice and palliative care help the dying find comfort and dignity while supporting the whole family. Learn where hospice care is provided.
• Respite Care Respite care gives seniors short-term support after an accident or stroke with no long-term contract while a care plan is decided.

Comparing communities

• Nursing Home Watch List Homes with the lowest federal ratings, listed plainly.
• Nursing Homes What nursing homes provide, typical services, costs, how to pay with Medicare and Medicaid, regulation, and how to choose the best one.
• Top Rated Senior Facilities and Services How we rate senior care facilities: zero state deficiencies, verified 4.5+ resident reviews, complete listings and independent criteria.
• The Largest Senior Care Facilities The biggest senior care facilities in the US ranked by resident count, from 5,000-patient in-home services to 500+ resident communities.
• The Largest Senior Care Organizations A look at the largest assisted living and senior care providers in the US, how we build the data, and notable organizations to know.
• Comparison of Assisted Living in All 50 States Compare independent living, assisted living and nursing homes side by side, plus how continuing care lets seniors move between levels.

Health care

• Convalescent Homes In many parts of the country, people call a long-term care facility a convalescent home. Convalescent Homes provide services like skilled nursing.
• Companion Care Companion Care is one senior living option that allow seniors to live at home while still getting some help with daily activities.
• Religious Based Senior Care For religious senior on a budget, many religious based Senior Care providers offer subsidized care for members of the community.
• Respite Care For senior who need temporary senior care, respite care offers them several different levels of help.

Senior lifestyles

• Senior Apartments Senior Living Apartments are an options for independent seniors who don't want to be tied to a house.
• 55 Plus Communities 55 Plus Communities are just one of the many senior living options that you can learn about on SeniorLiving.Org.
• Active Senior Living For active seniors, an active senior Living community will help keep you busy and happy. Active senior living is a growing trend in many parts of the
• Congregate Living Congregate Living allow seniors to live at a lower cost and it allow for more socialization.
• Who Needs Assisted Living? Who Needs Assisted Living and How much does it cost? SeniorLiving is the source for information to help you plan your retirement.

Caregiving

• Personal Transportation for Seniors A great option for some seniors is a personal transportation service. If you can't safely drive, a personal transportation service will give you
• Helping an Angry Senior Information about Dealing with an Angry Senior from Assisted Senior Living: The Trusted Source for Assisted Living Info.
• Avoiding Depression in Seniors Advice on Depression in Seniors & How to Avoid It from Assisted Senior Living
• Dealing With Stubbornness in Seniors Here are some tips and tricks for dealing with stubborn seniors. Stubbornness in seniors can be one of the most frustrating character traits for
• Loneliness in Seniors As a caregiver, you may be responsible for helping a seniors with loneliness. The lose of a mate can make some senior lonely and depressed.
• Losing a Loved One Losing of a Loved one is painful. Here is a some advice on how to live through the pain and move on.
• Resistance to Change Here are some tips for how to deal with a senior that is resistant to change. Resistance to Change In Seniors can make a caregiver's life difficult.