Assisted living and memory care
Assisted living and memory care communities provide housing, meals, and help with daily activities. They are not the same as nursing homes, and they are often paid for differently. This page focuses on patterns to watch for when you are comparing options.
What assisted living typically offers
Many assisted living communities include:
- A private or semi-private apartment or room.
- Meals, housekeeping, and basic maintenance.
- Help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or medication reminders.
- Social activities, transportation options, and on-site staff availability.
Memory care units are usually designed for people living with dementia and may have higher supervision, secure environments, and different staffing patterns.
How costs are often structured
Assisted living and memory care are often paid for privately. Most communities use some combination of:
- A base monthly rate (housing and basic services).
- Additional charges for higher levels of care or extra services.
- Separate fees for transportation, supplies, or special programs.
Understanding what is included in the base rate versus billed separately can make a big difference when comparing communities.
Questions to ask when comparing communities
You don’t have to ask everything at once, but a few focused questions can reveal a lot:
- “What is included in the base monthly rate, and what is billed separately?”
- “How do you decide when someone needs a higher level of care, and how is that priced?”
- “What happens if my needs change — do I have to move to a different building or unit?”
- “How do you communicate changes in condition with families?”
You can pair this page with the Tools and Facility Insights pages to build a clearer picture of specific communities you’re considering.
This page is for orientation and education. It does not provide medical care, diagnosis, treatment, legal advice, financial planning, tax guidance, or insurance brokerage. Decisions about housing and care should be made with licensed professionals who understand your specific situation and local rules.