Assisted living is for people who need help with daily care, but not as much as a nursing home provides. Residents usually live in their own apartment or room and share common areas, with meals, personal care and 24-hour staff available (National Institute on Aging). Each state sets its own rules, so the details vary (Alzheimer’s Association).
What assisted living usually includes
According to the National Institute on Aging, residents have access to (National Institute on Aging):
- Up to three meals a day
- Help with personal care, such as bathing and dressing
- Help with medications
- Housekeeping and laundry
- 24-hour supervision, security and on-site staff
- Social and recreational activities
Base fee or extra? Ask about each line
A typical community offers a few levels of care, and residents pay more when they need extra services (National Institute on Aging). What sits inside the base fee differs from one community to another. Use this table when you compare them, and ask for the answers in writing.
| Item | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Rent and apartment size | What is the monthly price for this exact unit? |
| Move-in costs | Is there a community fee or deposit? Is any of it refundable? |
| Meals | How many are included? Is there a charge for special diets or room delivery? |
| Personal care | How is the care level set? Who assesses it, and how often? |
| Medications | Is help with medications a separate charge? Who gives them? |
| Transportation | Are rides to appointments included? How far, and how often? |
| Price rises | How often can fees go up, by how much, and with how much notice? |
What assisted living is not
- Not a nursing home. A nursing home focuses more on medical care (National Institute on Aging). See how the two compare.
- Not one federal standard. Assisted living is not regulated by the federal government, and definitions vary from state to state (Alzheimer’s Association).
- Not automatically set up for dementia. Not all assisted living providers offer services designed for people with dementia (Alzheimer’s Association). Ask, and read about memory care.
Who pays
Most people pay the full cost themselves (National Institute on Aging). Medicare does not pay. Medicaid may cover some aspects, depending on the state and whether the person is eligible, often through home- and community-based services programs (Medicaid.gov). Some long-term care insurance policies partly cover it.
How to check a community
- Ask for the state license and the latest inspection report. Your state licensing agency can tell you where reports are published.
- Visit more than once, including unannounced, and stop by at mealtime (National Institute on Aging).
- Ask how many care staff there are per resident, what training they have, and how often key staff turn over (National Institute on Aging).
- Have someone you trust, such as an elder law attorney, read the contract if you are unsure.
The Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116) can point you to the local agency that knows the communities in your parent's area (U.S. Administration for Community Living).
Common questions
Is assisted living a medical facility?
Not in the way a nursing home is. Assisted living is housing with support. How much health care a community can give depends on its state license. Many do not have a nurse on site at all hours, so ask.
How big are assisted living communities?
The National Institute on Aging says they range from as few as 25 residents to 100 or more.
Can a resident be asked to leave?
Yes. Contracts and state rules set out when a community can end a stay, for example when care needs go beyond what it is licensed to provide. Read this section of the contract before signing.
Who pays for assisted living?
Most people pay the full cost themselves. Medicare does not pay. Medicaid may cover some aspects, depending on the state, and some long-term care insurance policies partly cover it.
Related guides
Assisted living vs. nursing home
How assisted living and nursing homes differ in care, oversight and who pays, with a side-by-side table and the official sources.
Does Medicare cover assisted living?
Medicare does not pay for rent, meals or personal care in assisted living. It still covers medical care for residents. See what is covered and where else to look.
Memory care vs. assisted living
How memory care differs from assisted living, what to ask each community, and the questions that help families decide when a move makes sense.
Sources
- Long-Term Care Facilities: Assisted Living, Nursing Homes, and Other Residential Care, National Institute on Aging (NIH). Checked November 7, 2026.
- Long-Term Care, Alzheimer’s Association. Checked November 8, 2026.
- How To Choose a Nursing Home or Other Long-Term Care Facility, National Institute on Aging (NIH). Checked November 8, 2026.
- Long-term care, Medicare.gov. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Home & Community-Based Services, Medicaid.gov. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Eldercare Locator, U.S. Administration for Community Living. Checked November 7, 2026.
This guide explains general rules. It is not medical, legal or financial advice for your situation. Program rules and amounts change, usually each January (Medicare and Medicaid) and each October (VA). Confirm details with the agency or a qualified professional before you decide. See our editorial policy.