LONG-TERM CARE

Residential Facilities, Assisted Living, and Nursing Homes – English
Centros Residenciales, Residencias de Vida Asistida, y Residencias de Ancianos – Español
At some point, support from family, friends, and local programs may not be enough. People who require help full-time might move to a residential facility that provides many or all of the long-term care services they need.

Facility-based long-term care services include: board and care homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and continuing care retirement communities.

Some facilities have only housing and housekeeping, but many also provide personal care and medical services. Many facilities offer special programs for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

What Are Board and Care Homes?

Board and care homes, also called residential care facilities or group homes, are small private facilities, usually with 20 or fewer residents. Rooms may be private or shared. Residents receive personal care and meals and have staff available around the clock. Nursing and medical care usually are not provided on site.

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is for people who need help with daily care, but not as much help as a nursing home provides. Assisted living facilities range in size from as few as 25 residents to 120 or more. Typically, a few “levels of care” are offered, with residents paying more for higher levels of care.

What Are Nursing Homes?

Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, provide a wide range of health and personal care services. Their services focus on medical care more than most assisted living facilities. These services typically include nursing care, 24-hour supervision, three meals a day, and assistance with everyday activities. Rehabilitation services, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, are also available.

Some people stay at a nursing home for a short time after being in the hospital. After they recover, they go home. However, most nursing home residents live there permanently because they have ongoing physical or mental conditions that require constant care and supervision.

To look for and compare nursing homes in your area, see Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare. Also get tips for choosing a nursing home.

What Are Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)?

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also called life care communities, offer different levels of service in one location. Many of them offer independent housing (houses or apartments), assisted living, and skilled nursing care all on one campus. Healthcare services and recreation programs are also provided.

In a CCRC, where you live depends on the level of service you need. People who can no longer live independently move to the assisted living facility or sometimes receive home care in their independent living unit. If necessary, they can enter the CCRC’s nursing home.

There are many sources of information about facility-based long-term care. A good place to start is the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or https://eldercare.acl.gov. You can also call your local Area Agency on Aging Aging and Disability Resource Center, department of human services or aging, or a social service agency.

For information on covering the costs of long-term care, read about paying for care.

For More Information About Facility-Based Long-Term Care

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
800-633-4227
877-486-2048 (TTY)
www.cms.gov
www.medicare.gov

Eldercare Locator
800-677-1116
eldercarelocator@n4a.org https://eldercare.acl.gov

USAging
202-872-0888
info@uasging.orgwww.usaging.org This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.
Assisted Living Org

Helpful Links
Assisted living in Massachusetts
Assisted living near me information
Cost of assisted living
Senior Housing Guide
Senior In Home Care

Long-Term Care Options: video Link