Senior Housing Definitions

Assisted Living  - is a residential setting that offers choices in personal care and health related services

Independent Living - is an residential living setting for elderly or senior adults that may or may not provide hospitality or supportive services. Under this living arrangement, the senior adult leads an independent lifestyle that requires minimal or no extra assistance. Generally referred to as elderly housing in the government-subsidized environment, independent living also includes rental assisted or market rate apartments or cottages where residents usually have complete choice in whether to participate in a facility's services or programs.

Congregate Housing - is similar to independent living except that it usually provides convenience or supportive services like meals, housekeeping, and transportation in addition to rental housing.

Continuing Care Retirement Community - A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) is a community which offers several levels of assistance, including independent living, assisted living and nursing home care. It is different from other housing and care facilities for seniors because it usually provides a written agreement or long-term contract between the resident (frequently lasting the term of the resident's lifetime) and the community which offers a continuum of housing, services and health care system, commonly all on one campus or site.

Nursing Home - Provides 24-hour skilled care for the more acute patients. Patients generally rely on assistance for most or all daily living activities (such as bathing, dressing and toileting).

• Search ALFA's Assisted Living Residence Directory
• Locate an Assisted Living Community at TLChoices.com
• What is Assisted Living?
• Consumer Checklist
• Facts about Assisted Living
• Consumer Information Statement - pdf (17kb)
• Consumer Articles - Reprinted from Assisted Living Today magazine
• Consumer Information Center Top