Guide
An assisted living community
A bigger building with more neighbors, more activities and more amenities, with staff on site around the clock.
What a day looks like
- Meals in a dining room, often with choices
- An activity calendar: exercise, music, games, outings
- Often a salon, a gym and a library
- More neighbors to talk to
Who tends to do well
- Social people who like company and things to do
- Couples moving together
- People who want independence with help close by
What it means
- More people and a bigger building
- More staff, who may change from shift to shift
- Some have a separate memory care area
What it costs
- Usually a base monthly rate, and levels of care that add to it
- Ask what is included and what costs extra
- Some take Medicaid long-term care in some apartments
Questions to ask when you visit
- What is in the base rate, and what are the levels of care?
- How many caregivers are on each floor at night?
- Is there a memory care area if she needs it later?
- How often do rates go up?
- Can we eat a meal here before deciding?
- What did the state cite at your last inspection, and what did you change?
Neither kind of place is better. The right one is the one where your loved one will do well. I tell every family to see at least one of each before deciding.