An assisted living facility (ALF) is ultimately designed to provide personal care services in the least restrictive and most home-like environment. These facilities can range in size from one resident to several hundred and may offer a wide variety of personal and nursing services designed specifically to meet an individual’s personal needs.

Memory care is designed to provide a safe, structured environment with set routines to lower stress for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Typically memory care homes are part of an assisted living or nursing home facility with residents in their own wing or floor. Memory care provides services for those who have memory illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Services include housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, and a higher level of assistance with activities of daily living. Due to the high risk of residents wandering, there are security alarms on doors, safety checks and other techniques to ensure the safety of the senior.

The staff members try to incorporate activities to allow the individual residents to connect to favorite hobbies that previously enjoyed.

A nursing home is a place for people who don’t need to be in a hospital but can’t be cared for at home. Most nursing homes have nursing aides and skilled nurses on hand 24 hours a day. Some nursing homes are set up like a hospital. The staff provides medical care, as well as physical, speech and occupational therapy.

Independent living is a type of senior community where residents are physically independent but like the idea of living with other people the same age and appreciate the community lifestyle. 

Senior apartments are geared towards adults 55 and older who want the convenience of downsizing and lower-maintenance living—but don’t require the level of care provided at an assisted living community. A senior apartment can be a helpful solution. Senior apartments are best for those who are completely independent in their care but would like the social benefits of being near to others in the same age bracket. 

Care homes provide room and board, along with assistance with activities of daily living. Care homes are also called adult family homes, board and care homes, residential or personal care homes. Care homes are more personal than other care facilities and can have their own rooms while sharing common areas. Residents can also have pets and couples can be together in one room. Usually, care homes are for those who have mental disabilities, are not mobile or need help with activities of daily living.