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.