Senior Housing Definitions

Senior Housing Definitions

Caring Considerations provides housing options to include:

Assisted Living Communities

Assisted living typically offers a wide range of social and health services.

Residents usually need help with one or more activities of daily living (ADLs) such as medication management, bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, walking, etc.

Memory Care Communities

Memory, dementia or Alzheimer’s care includes help with ADLs but involves more security, special programming, higher staff-to-care ratios, specialized training, and specially designed housing.

Residential Assisted Living

These small assisted living dwellings offer help with ADLs in an environment of approximately 8 persons. Some social services, transportation, etc. may be provided.

Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation

Skilled nursing is the term sometimes used instead of “nursing home”. It allows short and long-term stays, a high level of medical care and higher staff ratios. Rehabilitation usually describes a short-term stay and includes physical, occupational and speech therapy. Skilled Nursing Facilities usually take Medicare and Medicaid.

Independent Living Communities/Senior Apartments

These rental communities usually provide some services such as meals, transportation, and a social calendar. Services can vary greatly.

Retirement Communities

Retirement living or “active” retirement living or CCRCs (Continuing Care Retirement Communities) or 55+ communities can also vary greatly. They offer resort-type amenities of all types and can be large.