55+ Active Adult communities are a relatively new type of community for independent older adults. It’s equivalent to an apartment building, except that residents must be age appropriate. It is a strong fit when you want to downsize and live with other like minded active individuals or couples, and are not ready to give up being responsible or pay for amenities like housekeeping, meals and transportation.

Monthly Cost:
$1,900+

Pros:
* Cheaper than living @ home
* Socialization, engagement
* Freedom to continue living independently; privacy
* Continue driving
* Access to home health, hospice

Cons:
* No access to hourly supportive care
* No transportation, meals or housekeeping
* Not suited for wanderers

Independent Living communities are for older adults who live mostly independently but want an easier life — often with meals, activities, transportation, and housekeeping included. It’s a strong fit when the goal is lifestyle, community, and convenience rather than hands-on personal care.

You get a choice of a studio/one/two-bedroom apartment, along with in-suite kitchen, housekeeping, community dining (some to all meals included), activities, scheduled transportation, scheduled ADL assistance, etc.

Monthly Cost:
$3,300+
Supportive Care cost additional

Pros:
* Cheaper than living @ home
* Socialization, engagement
* Freedom to continue living independently; privacy
* Continue driving
* Bring in home health, hospice

Cons:
* Pay extra for supportive care
* Care options may be limited
* Not suited for wanderers

Assisted Living provides housing plus daily support for personal care needs like dressing, bathing, medication reminders, meals, and mobility assistance (called activities of daily living or ADLs). It is a good fit when someone needs regular personal care assistance and benefits from staff being nearby, while still having privacy and access to community.

You get a choice of studio/one/two-bedroom; medication management, all meals, housekeeping, activities, scheduled transportation, and on-demand ADL assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Monthly Cost:
$5,100+
Care cost additional, and varies by levels of care and medication management complexity

Pros:
* On demand ADL assistance available 24 × 7 × 365
* Socialization, engagement
* Access to in-house home health
* Bring in hospice

Cons:
* 1:10+ client to caregiver ratio
* Complex care like Hoyer lift, insulin shots may be unavailable
* Not suited for wanderers

Memory Care is a secured setting designed for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who need routine, structure, and increased supervision — especially if wandering risk exists. It can be a safer option when cognitive decline makes home unsafe without very high supervision.

You get a choice of studio/one-bedroom; medication management, all meals, housekeeping, activities, scheduled transportation, and on-demand ADL assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Monthly Cost:
$7,000+
Care cost additional, and varies by levels of care and medication management complexity

Pros:
* Not suited for wanderers
* On demand ADL assistance available 24 × 7 × 365
* Socialization, engagement
* Access to in-house home health
* Bring in hospice

Cons:
* 1:8+ client to caregiver ratio
* Complex care like Hoyer lift, insulin shots may be unavailable

Skilled Nursing is intended for people who need ongoing clinical care and higher medical oversight. It’s often used when care needs are complex and cannot be safely supported at home or in standard assisted living.

You get a choice of a private or companion room (depending on private pay or Medicaid); medication management, complex clinical care, physical occupational and speech therapy, all meals, housekeeping, activities, scheduled transportation, and on-demand ADL assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Monthly Cost:
$8,000+

Pros:
* Complex clinical care
* PT / OT / ST multiple times per week
* On demand ADL assistance available 24 × 7 × 365
* Socialization, engagement
* Bring in hospice

Cons:
* 1:12+ client to caregiver ratio
* Clinical living environment
* Not suited for wanderers