A 2024 Guide to Assisted Living Facilities – How To Find The Right Community for You

If living alone has become more challenging or you're looking for community, an assisted living facility may be a great choice. Most assisted living facilities provide various services. These include meals, housekeeping, and medication management. Amenities could include a fitness center, transportation services, and outdoor spaces to encourage health and well-being. They also offer social opportunities and community. Since loneliness can contribute to mental and physical decline,1 connections and friendships fostered in an assisted living community can be great for your health!

Before you visit assisted living communities near you, you may wonder what it’s like to live there. What is included in the fee? Are there rules that may not mesh well with some lifestyles? I can give you the inside scoop! During the years I worked for an assisted living facility, I spoke with dozens of residents who call assisted living home. Let’s jump in to see if assisted living is right for you!

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is designed to provide long-term housing for older adults who need assistance with daily tasks like laundry, cooking, cleaning, and medication management. This support helps older adults maintain good health longer. It's ideal for active and social older adults or couples. They simply require extra help with day-to-day life. Seniors and their adult children can take comfort in knowing that 24/7 support is available. If you or a loved one aren’t ready to transition into an assisted living facility, check out our guide to independent senior living.

For more details on assisted living, check out the video below with our Editor-in-Chief, Jeff Hoyt.

What Care Is Provided in Assisted Living?

Services provided in an assisted living community will vary, but generally, you can expect meals, laundry, housekeeping, and maintenance to be taken care of.

According to the National Center for Assisted Living2, typical services provided by assisted living communities include:

• Round-the-clock supervision and assistance
• Exercise and health and wellness programs
• Laundry, cleaning, and other housekeeping and maintenance services
• Personal care and help with ADLs
• Meals and dining services
• Medication management
• Transportation services

Some assisted living communities have “a la carte” services and amenities that you or a loved one may add for extra costs, such as salon services, garage or carport space, and physical and occupational therapy. When you tour the community, ask if they have any of these perks.

Are There Different Levels of Assisted Living?

There are typically three levels of care in assisted living communities. Levels of care are based on the assistance a resident needs with the six main activities of daily living (ADLs).3

Basic ADLs include:

• Dressing
• Using the restroom
• Personal hygiene and grooming
• Ambulating
• Continence
• Feeding

These different levels of care allow residents to stay in their assisted living homes long-term. For example, if a senior has a change in their health status and needs additional support, they can move to the next level of care within assisted living. It saves the hassle of moving to a new room or different facility entirely.

Most assisted living communities have three levels of care. The higher the care level, the more assistance you will need from staff, increasing your care costs. You must be honest and open during an assessment to ensure you get the care you need to stay safe and healthy. Though it will vary slightly from place to place, below is a general structure for reference:

Do I Qualify for Assisted Living?

If cooking, cleaning, and managing your medication is overwhelming and tiring, assisted living may be for you. If you're generally still active and can get around well on your own or with the assistance of a cane or walker, you may benefit from assisted living, where many daily tasks are taken care of. It frees up your time and energy to enjoy hobbies, spend time with friends and family, and volunteer if you'd like.

Some signs that you or your loved one may be ready for assisted living include:

• Loneliness and depression
• Trouble managing money and paying bills
• Worsening health condition
• Inability or difficulty cooking and cleaning
• Help needed with personal care and managing medication
• Increased risk of falling or have had multiple falls

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost?

According to the Genworth Cost of Long-Term Care Survey, the estimated median cost of assisted living in 2024 is $5,551 monthly.4 Prices vary from about $3,000 to $7,000 monthly, depending on location and other factors. However, costs can exceed that upper limit in some regions. For example, assisted living in Hawaii can surpass $9,000 a month.

Costs depend on the usual housing factors (e.g., room size, amenities, and geographic location), plus care services. Residents might have separate fees for help with laundry, pet care, physical therapy, and other needs. If the need for care advances, a person might bring in extra help to avoid transferring to a nursing home.

So, how do you pay for assisted living? Many combine their resources, such as personal savings, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, and veterans' benefits. It's important to note that Medicare doesn’t generally cover assisted living, and some facilities don't accept Medicaid. Some communities have staff available to guide you through the options and paperwork. You can also privately hire a geriatric planner.

How to Research Assisted Living Facilities

Determining if assisted living is right for you or a loved one may feel like quite an undertaking, which is why enlisting trusted support and expert guidance can relieve some of the burden.

Consider taking these first steps to help find an assisted living community in your area:

• Search our assisted living directory.
• Ask your healthcare provider which assisted living communities they recommend.
• If you have friends or family who live in a local assisted living community, ask them about their experience and recommendations.
• Visit or call your local Area Agency on Aging.

How to Find the Right Assisted Living Community

You can find the right assisted living community by visiting several facilities. To find communities near you, search the SeniorLiving.org housing directory. When touring an assisted living facility, evaluate cleanliness and personal interaction standards. Remember, for a high quality of life, it's critical to find a good social match, not just a facility that meets basic needs.

Visiting assisted living communities will give you a better idea of the social setting, activities, and culture the community fosters. Eating a meal at the facility can be a great way to gain an insider's view. Arrange an interview over lunch or dinner at the facility, if possible. It will also give you insight into the expected menu and food quality if that's particularly important. A good alternative is to observe a class or club meeting if they are available. It'll give you a better idea of how the residents interact and what activities are available.

Questions Related to the Home or Facility

1. How many people live at the facility? What is the ratio of caregivers to residents?
2. Does the facility feel home-like? Do you like the décor?
3. What are the apartment and room choices? Do you have an entire apartment with a kitchen?
4. Do you have a private bath? Will you share an apartment?
5. Does the residence have its own dog or cat? Can residents bring their own pets? What are the restrictions on pets?
6. Can residents bring their own furniture and decor? What furnishings are provided?
7. Is there a separate thermostat in your room?
8. Is there plenty of natural lighting?
9. What is the view like?
10. Is there enough closet and storage space?
11. Are kitchen cabinets easy to reach?
12. Are the outside areas well-kept?
13. Are there any stains or odors?
14. Are there social activities available?
15. Are there enough common areas, such as dens and living rooms?
16.  Are there any security protocols or cameras to help residents feel at ease?
17. Does the facility allow smoking? If so, can residents do so in their rooms, or is there an outside space for smoking?

Questions Related to the People

1. Are the residents clean, happy, and friendly? Don’t hesitate to ask current residents about their experiences.
2. Are staff members attentive and kind?
3. Would you enjoy sharing meals with the residents? Do you share common interests?
4. Are the residents somewhat independent? Is there social activity in the common areas or a place where individuals can practice their faith?
5. Do the residents seem happy?

Questions Related to the Safety

1. Is staff available around the clock? Are all entrances and exits secured?
2. Are there appropriate safety measures, such as emergency exits and smoke detectors?
3. Are registered nurses on staff? What are their hours, and what is the staff's ratio to their patients? If an RN isn't on duty 24/7, it's vital to know the center's protocol in case of nighttime emergencies.
4. Are the halls and grounds well-lit? Are there handrails in the hallways?
5. Are the hallways and doorways wide enough for walkers and wheelchairs? Are there walk-in showers?
6. Do the rooms and bathrooms have handrails and call buttons?

Questions Related to the Amenities

1. Is there a monthly events calendar posted? Are the spiritual services on-site?
2. Does the facility have a space for outdoor recreation? If so, ensure the area looks inviting but guarded against trespassers.
3. Are there transportation schedules for errands and medical appointments?
4. What social activities, classes, and field trips are staff-facilitated?
5. Is there a crafts room? Are there computers and printers? Is there a swimming pool? What about a convenience shop?
6.  Is the facility located near town centers or community landmarks? Be sure to inquire about the closest grocery store, church, hairdresser, movie theater, and/or library to ensure you can still partake in your favorite pastimes.

Other Considerations and Questions

1. Is there a meal menu, and can residents choose when to eat? Do the menu selections vary from day to day?
2. Determine your specific state’s licensing agency and contact them. Additionally, most states have an ombudsman program that will have detailed records. These show any patterns of neglect or medication errors.
3. Ask for a copy of the resident agreement spelling out the facility's obligations. It will also list the charge for extra items, like laundry service.
4. How close are you to friends and relatives? Are they allowed to stay overnight?
5. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Inquire about this ratio to ensure you or a loved one is cared for. As you tour facilities, be on the lookout for staff members and see if it appears that residents are being attended to regularly.
6. If a resident becomes more disabled, can the facility accommodate those needs?
7. Who dispenses medication, and how much training have they had? States have training requirements.
8. What are the criteria for moving out? When might a senior be asked to leave?