Choosing the right senior living community begins with understanding the various housing and care options available. Senior living is not one-size-fits-all — it spans a continuum from independent lifestyles with minimal support to highly structured care for those with advanced needs. This continuum allows older adults to enter at the level that fits their current lifestyle and transition to more supportive settings as health needs evolve.
Assisted Living: Supportive housing for seniors who need help with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, medication management, or mobility — while maintaining independence and social engagement.
Independent Living: Maintenance-free housing offering meals, activities, and services for active seniors who want convenience but do not require daily care. Since this guide focuses on Continuum of Care senior living, this guide only includes Independent living connected to Assisted Living. Independent Living connected to Assisted Living are included in the Assisted Living table.
Long-Term Care: Comprehensive 24/7 medical and personal care for people with chronic illness or disability, focused on sustained health and comfort. Long-Term Care is the modern term for what were traditionally called nursing homes.
Memory Care: Secure, specialized communities for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia, staffed to meet cognitive and behavioral needs.
Subacute Rehabilitation Hospital: Post-hospital facilities offering intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy designed to help individuals regain function and independence.
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC):Long-term retirement campuses that enable residents to “age in place” by offering multiple levels of care within one community, including: Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Long Term Care Plus, Subacute Rehabilitation Hospital.