Assisted living is a type of long-term residential senior care designed for older adults who need help with their everyday personal needs, like bathing and dressing, and other tasks, such as laundry and transportation.

Unlike nursing homes, assisted living facilities (ALFs) do not provide skilled medical care. Rather, ALFs offer residents daily support, a social environment, and around-the-clock staff available for emergency support. Care is catered to each individual, so residents can remain as independent as possible. This makes assisted living a good fit for many seniors who are beginning to have challenges with their day-to-day tasks but do not need ongoing medical care. 

Assisted living is a good fit for people who need assistance with the activities of daily living (ADLs) like bathing and dressing, want to have around-the-clock help available, and seek opportunities to socialize with other people in the same life stage. 

To meet those needs, some of the services you’ll find in assisted living include:

• Help with ADLs
• Medication management 
• Prepared meals 
• Housekeeping and laundry services 
• Interior and exterior home maintenance 
• Planned group activities, events and outings 
• Transportation 
• Physical and occupational therapy services (sometimes off-site)

Some of the amenities you’ll typically find in assisted living include:

• On-site fitness center 
• Activity room and other shared spaces such as a library or art studio 
• Salon or barbershop
• Worship room
• Group dining areas

As of 2023, the national average cost of assisted living is $4,459 per month. This can vary drastically depending on several factors: 

• Location: Costs vary significantly in different areas of the country. If you live in a high-cost-of-living area, expect to pay on the high end for assisted living. 
• Type of Community: While all assisted living communities provide assistance with ADLs, the “extras” can vary significantly. Luxury assisted living communities will have upgraded amenities and services like on-demand concierge or on-site golf courses, while affordable senior living communities will have fewer lifestyle services and may have older construction. Both can offer a great assisted living experience; it just depends on what your budget and priorities are. 
• Individual Services Needed: Some communities charge an extra fee for services that go beyond help with ADLs, such as physical and occupational therapy. 
• Cost Structure: Some ALFs charge an all-inclusive monthly fee, while others may charge for things like therapy services, group outings, or food, drinks or snacks eaten outside of mealtimes. Be sure to review a community’s cost structure in detail to understand the total cost. 

If you’re looking for an assisted living community for yourself or a loved one, we can help. Caring.com’s expert Family Advisors provide no-cost, personalized advice and recommendations for care seekers like you. Call (800) 558-0653 to speak with an advisor and start the process of finding the right assisted living community for you. 

For guidance on what to look for in an assisted living community for yourself or a loved one, you can read our guide to How to Choose an Assisted Living Community. 

Or, if you’d like to start your search independently, you can use the module below to get started.