Assisted Living provides a special combination of residential housing, personalized supportive services and healthcare. These residential settings maximize independence, but do not provide skilled nursing care. Assisted Living may offer the same features as independent living communities, with the added assistance of personal care. It is designed to meet the individual needs of those requiring help with activities of daily living, but do not need the skilled medical care provided in a nursing home.

Services
Assisted Living Communities can be free standing, part of a Continuing Care Community that provides independent, assisted and nursing care, affiliated with a nursing home, or often are specialized services brought into independent retirement communities.

There are a variety of names used to describe Assisted Living facilities; many specialized to certain regions of the country. Board and Care, Residential Care Facilities, Community Based Retirement Facilities, Personal Care, Adult Living Facilities, Adult Foster Care, etc. are all examples of Assisted Living facilities. However, the generic term throughout the country is "Assisted Living."

Care
These residential settings maximize independence, but do not provide skilled nursing care. Assisted Living offers the same features as retirement communities, with the added assistance of personal care. It is designed to meet the individual needs of those requiring help with activities of daily living, but does not need the skilled medical care provided in a nursing home. Although the variety of services and level of care will vary, most communities provide assistance with dressing, grooming, bathing, and other daily activities. Assistance with medications differs according to state regulations; this is reflected on each community-listing page by "supervision, administration, or monitoring."

Cost
Costs for Assisted Living depend on the number of services and accommodations that they offer. The facilities charges will reflect the number of services that you will have access to. Most plans include meals and laundry, but some may limit the number of meals per month.

Payment Options
Most Assisted Living Communities accept private pay only; however, in some states there is assistance with payment. Some long-term care insurance policies may cover Assisted Living. This type of information is best determined on an individual basis.

Regulation
Assisted Living facilities are regulated and licensed at the state level. Each state does so according to its own laws-there are no federal regulations on Assisted Living.