Definition: Residential care for older adults who need help with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as medication management, bathing, dressing and meals.Purpose: Support independence while providing daily assistance and limited medical oversight — a step below nursing home care.Focus: Safety, personal care, social engagement and a community-based lifestyle.Amenities and Services: Often include: • Recreational activities • Housekeeping and laundry • Transportation • Meal servicesCare Level: 24/7 staff availability with personalized care plans; limited clinical care compared to nursing homes.

Definition: A living option typically for those 55 and over, including senior housing, retirement homes, and active adult communities.Purpose: Ideal for those seeking to live with peers of the same age without needing support for activities of daily living (ADLs) or medical care.Focus: Emphasizes convenience and recreation, eliminating the hassles of housekeeping and maintenance.Amenities and Services: Offers a variety of amenities, which may include: • Spa • Concierge • Community gathering spacesLuxury Levels: Amenities vary depending on the level of luxury provided by the community.

Definition: Specialized residential care for people with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.Purpose: Provide a safe, structured environment with trained staff and programs tailored to cognitive impairment.Focus: Secure settings, enhanced supervision and routines that support memory and reduce stress.Amenities and Services: Typically include: • Assistance with ADLs • Cognitive stimulation and therapeutic activities • Secure indoor/outdoor spacesCare Level: Staff specially trained in dementia care with higher caregiver-to-resident ratios.

Respite care, also known as short-term stay, allows primary caregivers to rest and have time for themselves by providing care for their loved ones. This type of care is temporary and may range from a few hours to weeks, provided either at home or in a senior care community.

Focusing on those with life-limiting conditions or terminal illness, hospice care provides physical, emotional, social, and spiritual support. This type of care aims to ease older adults’ discomfort and pain and does not focus on finding a cure. Typically provided with a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social workers, and hospice aides, in older adults’ preferred setting, may it be at home, hospital, or senior living community. Hospice care provides care for those with a life expectancy estimated at six months or less.