Setting: Independent Living can be in a wing or floor of a larger Assisted Living Facility (ALF) or part of a residential Adult Family Home (AFH). Accommodations can vary from a studio apartment or cottage with its own kitchen in a larger community, to a simple private room with a shared kitchen in a more intimate Adult Family Home.

Ideal Resident: Independent Living is ideal for residents who are fully independent and don't need help with Activities of Daily Living (such as transferring, grooming or bathing). Residents can enjoy their independence while not having to worry about household chores such as housekeeping and laundry. Having staff or caregivers nearby can offer additional peace-of-mind.

Services Offered: Services such as dining plans, housekeeping, laundry, medications management, or transportation may be offered. Hands-on care is not offered at all. Many communities offer higher levels of care such as Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing or Memory Care within the same building or campus - in case a transition is ever needed.

Cost: The cost for Independent Living is typically the lowest of the 5 Types of Living. The base price could include just the cost of accommodations, or may also include some meals or housekeeping. Meal plans can add a significant cost but are usually very customizable. The frequency of housekeeping, laundry or medications management will also affect the final cost.

Other: Independent Living communities generally do not provide Hospice care. They may accommodate clients with developmental disabilities, mental health or memory related diseases if they are fully independent. Billing is usually Private Pay only. Neither Long-Term-Care Insurance nor Medicaid will cover Independent Living. Some communities may allow pets.

Setting: Adult Family Homes (AFHs) - also known as Board and Care Homes, Residential Care Homes and Adult Foster Homes - are normal single-family residential homes in regular residential neighborhoods. They've been modified to strict guidelines in order to accommodate elderly and disabled adults, and are officially licensed as care facilities.

Ideal Resident: AFHs are ideal for residents who prefer a more intimate and familiar home-like feel of a residential home - compared to a larger apartment/resort-style setting of an Assisted Living Facility (ALF). AFHs typically have more caregivers per resident, so they're usually better for a resident who may require more daily hands-on care.

Services Offered: Caregivers provide as much help as needed with daily activities such as transferring, dressing, grooming, and bathing. Meals, medications management, housekeeping and laundry are also typically included. Some homes have a part-time or full-time nurse. AFHs are able to accommodate residents with any stage of Alzheimer's/dementia.

Cost: Adult Family Homes usually cost a bit more compared to Assisted Living Facilities, but you get more caregivers who can provide higher levels of personal care. Base Prices may include room accommodations, meals and some services, but final quotes are determined case-by-case. Factors such as daily care, cognitive ability, and nurse requirement may increase the cost.

Other: Adult Family Homes may provide Hospice care or accommodate clients with developmental disabilities, mental health or memory related diseases at their own discretion. They typically accept Private Pay and Long-Term-Care Insurance, and some accept Medicaid. VA Benefits may also help cover some costs. Some AFHs may allow pets.

Setting: Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) are usually large apartment or resort-style communities with a lot more residents than Adult Family Homes. 100+ residents is not uncommon compared with 5-10 in an Adult Family Home. Residents can make friends, socialize in common areas and eat together in large dining rooms. Some may offer hair salons, pools, or movie theaters.

Ideal Resident: Assisted Living Facilities are ideal for a more independent resident who enjoys socializing and making friends. ALFs typically have a lower ratio of caregivers than Adult Family Homes, and therefore may not be the best fit for residents who require round-the-clock companionship or hands-on care.

Services Offered: Caregivers can assist with daily activities such as transferring, grooming or bathing. However, with fewer caregivers than AFHs, ALFs may turn down residents whose care requirements exceed a certain level. Meals, medications management and some nursing services may be offered, and many facilities have a dedicated Memory Care wing.

Cost: Assisted Living Facilities can be less expensive than Adult Family Homes (for a similar style room). Base prices may include accommodations and some services, but meals might be extra. Final quotes are determined case-by-case. Factors such as room style, daily care, meals, nurse requirement and cognitive ability may increase the cost.

Other: Assisted Living Facilities may provide Hospice Care, or accommodate clients with developmental disabilities, mental health conditions or memory related diseases at their own discretion. They typically accept Private Pay and Long-Term-Care Insurance, and some ALFs accept Medicaid. VA Benefits may also help cover some costs. Some ALFs may allow pets.

Setting: Nursing Homes - also known as Skilled Nursing Facilities, provide the highest level of professional medical care of all the 5 Types of Living. Residents usually get a choice of a shared or private room. Meals can be served in a dining area or bedside. Many Nursing Homes also have a rehab center with trained staff to help residents recover from an injury.

Ideal Resident: Nursing Homes are reserved for residents who require specialized care by a skilled nurse. A doctor's referral is typically required to be admitted into a Nursing Home - usually after an injury or a surgery - when the resident is stable enough to leave the hospital, but still requires round-the-clock care during recovery or rehab.

Services Offered: Caregivers assist residents with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as transferring, bathing toileting and moving around, and skilled nurses provide care that cannot be provided by caregivers. Nursing homes are required to have a skilled nurse or nurse's aide available on staff 24/7. They may also have on-site physical therapists or even a doctor.

Cost: Nursing Homes have the highest cost of the 5 different Types of Living. The base price may include room accommodations and meals, but the final quote is determined case by case. Factors such as frequency of nurse requirement, complexity of medical condition, and rehab or physical therapy sessions will help determine the cost.

Other: Nursing Homes can also provide Hospice care. They can accommodate residents with developmental disabilities as well as any mental health or memory related conditions. Accepted Payment Sources include Private Pay, Medicaid, and Long Term Care Insurance. VA benefits may also cover certain costs. Pets are usually not allowed.

Setting: Memory Care refers to caregivers, nurses or other staff who are trained and licensed to care for residents suffering from Alzheimer's or other dementias. Memory Care may be found across all the different Types of Living - Independent Living, Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living, and Nursing Homes. Providers may provide Memory Care at their own discretion.

Ideal Resident: If an Independent Living community accepts Memory Care, they'll generally allow residents with mild/early stages, and only if the client is totally independent. Adult Family Homes and Assisted Living Facilities that specialize in Memory Care may accept clients in any stage at their own discretion. Nursing Homes generally allow all stages of dementia.

Services Offered: Staff and caregivers provide the same care or services that are offered within each Type of Living. Independent Living may offer housekeeping, laundry, medication management and meals - depending on the plan. Adult Family Homes, Assisted Living and Nursing Homes may also provide daily hands-on care, nursing services or rehab.

Cost: Memory Care is not exactly a Type of Living itself, but rather an add-on service to any of the other Types of Living. Costs will vary depending on which type you choose. Base Prices may include the room accommodations and some services or meals. The final quote includes the resident's specific case of dementia, and the amount of care or nursing required among other factors.

Other: Facilities may have special locks on exit doors or wearable devices that set off alarms if a resident exits the facility. Acceptable payment sources vary depending on the Type of Living, but generally Private Pay is accepted by all. Long Term Care Insurance, Medicaid and VA Benefits may be accepted by some (except Independent Living). Some may also allow pets.