Glossary

Basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and moving around, often abbreviated as ADLs. The number and type of ADLs a person needs help with is commonly used to assess what level of senior living care may be appropriate.

A type of housing for older adults who need help with some daily activities, such as bathing or medication reminders, but do not require the round-the-clock skilled nursing care provided in a nursing home. Residents typically live in private or semi-private apartments with access to shared dining and common areas.

A single campus offering multiple levels of care, typically including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing, that allows residents to move between levels as their needs change over time without relocating to a different property. These communities are also sometimes called life care communities.

Housing communities for older adults who do not need daily assistance with personal care but want a maintenance-free lifestyle, social opportunities, and amenities such as dining and housekeeping. It does not include the hands-on personal care or medical services provided in assisted living or nursing homes.

A private insurance product designed to help cover the cost of services like assisted living, memory care, and nursing home care that are generally not covered by health insurance or Medicare. Coverage amounts, benefit periods, and premiums vary by policy and are affected by the age and health of the person at the time of purchase.

A state-administered program, often called a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver, that lets Medicaid pay for long-term care services in a person's home or in a community setting like assisted living, rather than only in a nursing home. Eligibility, covered services, and availability vary significantly by state, and many programs have waiting lists.

A specialized form of long-term care for people living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, typically offered as a secured unit within assisted living or as a stand-alone community. It features staff trained in dementia care and an environment designed to support residents' safety and reduce confusion.

A residential facility that provides 24-hour medical care from licensed nurses, along with services like physical therapy and rehabilitation, for people with significant medical needs or those recovering from surgery or illness. Medicare may cover a limited period of skilled nursing facility care following a qualifying hospital stay, but it generally does not cover long-term custodial stays.