Assisted living facilities are becoming more numerous as the nation continues to age and nursing costs escalate. These facilities provide accommodations, supervision and services typically in a single-use building type. Units are generally smaller than those found in independent living or congregate care facilities. Small kitchens with single-burner stoves and downsized refrigerators are common unit characteristics. Units always have emergency call buttons. Common service characteristics of assisted living facilities follow:

Accommodations—housing, meals, laundry, housekeeping, transportation, social or recreational activities, maintenance, security, or similar services that are not medical care or skilled nursing care services.


Supervision—watching over a resident, when necessary, while he or she engages in ADLs to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the resident. Supervision also includes reminding a resident to do or complete personal hygiene or other self-care activities, helping to schedule and/or keep an appointment and arranging for transportation.


Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL)—services include, but are not limited to, assisting residents with walking and moving, bathing, grooming, using the toilet, hygiene, hair care, dressing, eating and nail care.