Assisted living is a form of housing that allows seniors to live independently with certain services, such as help with medication management, health monitoring, and mobility assistance. Some facilities offer additional services like housekeeping, transportation, meals, and social activities.

Several options are available for these facilities, including independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Each facility differs in how much freedom the residents have and how involved their families are in their care. A village concept also exists, linking residents with common interests in the same community.

Residential care options allow clients to live in a building with a home-like atmosphere. This option is not only for seniors. It is also used by those recovering from a hospital stay or on hospice care. Memory care includes programs designed to help seniors feel comfortable, despite their cognitive loss. Skilled nursing provides more intensive medical care for seniors. These facilities may offer full-time or part-time services.

In these centers, seniors can live in small apartments or large complexes with various levels of care. Meals, medication, and health monitoring are available in any combination the resident prefers. The buildings usually include meeting areas for socializing, active areas to keep residents moving, and quiet spaces for relaxation.

A key advantage of this kind of care over a nursing home is that more independence is allowed. Seniors can choose to live in a place of their own. They can make their own decisions about activities, medication, and health monitoring, although care tends to be less intensive than at a nursing home. The senior can rest assured, knowing that help is available if needed. While the staff still needs to attend to certain responsibilities, there is more privacy and less surveillance by staff that can upset the senior.

The top areas of the U.S. providing this kind of care for seniors include the Los Angeles metro area, Denver, Houston, and San Francisco. Many of these areas offer a free search to help people determine if a particular senior facility is right for them. When selecting a facility, consider the options and amenities mentioned above to ensure the best fit.