What Are the Different Senior Living Options?
Understanding the spectrum of senior living options is essential to finding the best fit. Take a look across several areas of support to identify the level of care you or a loved one might benefit from most.
55+ Active Adult Living
Supervision and Assistance
Fully independent with no supervision or assistance required. This lifestyle option is designed for active, self-sufficient adults.
Personal Care
Independently manages all activities of daily living without assistance.
Mobility
Fully mobile and self-directed. Lives an active lifestyle.
Lifestyle Amenities
Takes advantage of robust activity schedule and amenities, including fitness center, pool, pickleball court, and golf.
Social Engagement
Independently seeks social engagement. Enjoys group activities and being surrounded by like-minded peers in a friendly neighborhood.
Decision-Making
Makes all personal, financial, and healthcare decisions independently with no community involvement.
Memory Impairment
No memory impairment.
Level of Independence
Comes and goes freely with no restrictions.
Independent Living
Supervision and Assistance
Is able to live independently with no supervision or assistance necessary. Benefits from community amenities.
Personal Care
Is able to accomplish all activities of daily living without supervision or assistance.
Mobility
Has safe, self-directed mobility and can respond independently in an emergency.
Lifestyle Amenities
Enjoys the convenience of community-provided dining and housekeeping options.
Social Engagement
Self-directs social involvement and engagement. May benefit from some social encouragement.
Decision-Making
Self-directed lifestyle. Able to make decisons regarding personal finances and healthcare.
Memory Impairment
Little to no memory impairment.
Level of Independence
May come and go as they please and is capable of using an emergency call system.
Assisted Living
Supervision and Assistance
Some supervision and assistance required to maximize independence. Benefits from community amenities and associates on-site 24/7.
Personal Care
Requires assistance with one or more activities of daily living. May need cues or hands-on assistance. May require assistance with medication and incontinence.
Mobility
May require assistance getting around or making transfers and may need help responding in an emergency.
Lifestyle Amenities
Dining and housekeeping services are beneficial or essential.
Social Engagement
Self-directs social involvement or benefits from encouragement to engage socially. May require assistance getting to activities.
Decision-Making
Self-directed lifestyle with assistance when needed. Able to make decisions regarding personal finances or healthcare; has health care proxy in place if needed.
Memory Impairment
Mild or no memory impairment, possibly some confusion and disorientation.
Level of Independence
May come and go as they please, though may require assistance to do so, and is capable of using an emergency call system.
Memory Care
Supervision and Assistance
Unable to live alone and supervision is required. Benefits from supportive assistance and associates on-site 24/7.
Personal Care
May require verbal cues, direction, and physical assistance for activities of daily living, including dressing, medication, and incontinence.
Mobility
May require environmental cues for safe navigation. Requires assistance responding to an emergency.
Lifestyle Amenities
Dining and housekeeping services are required for quality of life. The specialized dining program accomodates unique needs of memory care residents.
Social Engagement
Requires personalized approach to social interaction. May face challenges connecting and understanding social cues.
Decision-Making
Requires direction. Family responsible for financial and healthcare decision through Power of Attorney and/or health care proxy.
Memory Impairment
Significant or progressive memory impairment.
Level of Independence
Specialized neighborhoods with associates available 24/7.