Independent living communities are apartment style settings that may offer limited assistance and are also called retirement communities. Many independent living communities have a shared dining room for their residents along with planned social, educational and recreational activities. Generally such communities offer: Three meals, snacks, cooking options, allow for pets, dietary restrictions such as celiac disease, diabetes, kosher & hallal, parking availability, private caregivers,housekeeping, activity programs, transportation (medical and personal), laundry, 24 hour staffing. Private pay, SSI, accepted in some facilities

Assisted living community settings can vary, but in most cases should be considered similar to independent living communities with added care services for those residents needing care. They generally offer private accommodations with the option of 24-hour caregiving services. This personalized care may include; assistance with; bathing, dressing, grooming, medication, showering and toileting. Assisted living communities generally offer: three meals, snacks, housekeeping, activity programs, transportation for medical and personal appointments, laundry, 24 hour staffing, private pay, with graduated rates based on care needs, SSI is accepted in some facilities

Some assisted-living services are also provided in residential settings, known as Board & Care homes. These are private homes licensed & designed to accept up to six residents. They provide a homelike atmosphere and a high level of personal care while meeting State and local licensing requirements like their larger counterparts. These homes are geared towards residents that are either ambulatory or non-ambulatory, require assistance as needed with bathing, dressing, medication supervision, incontinence care, walking, feeding and grooming. Numerous Board and Care homes specialize in Alzheimer and dementia care and usually have a hospice waiver. Similarly to assisted-living communities, Board & Care homes generally offer meals, snacks, housekeeping, laundry, transportation services, social and recreational activities, 24hr staffing and are usually private pay.

A nursing home is the highest care environment for seniors that require the skilled nursing services of a physician, nurse, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist or a respiratory therapist. These facilities are mostly paid for by Medicare and Medi-cal. Skilled Nursing facilities are generally used as a short-term rehab option rather than on a long-term care basis. Nursing homes are most appropriate for patients with medical nursing needs, particularly those requiring tube feeding or IV, are non-ambulatory due to Alzheimer’s or dementia, bedridden or on hospice.