What Is An Assisted Living Facility?

Assisted living is a broad term used to identify residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE's), otherwise known as care homes.  In general, assisted living describes a type of long-term care in which non-medical, personal care is provided in a residential setting.  Assisted living facilities provide assistance with the activities of daily living in the form of assistance with dressing, bathing, preparing meals, transportation, and other daily tasks.  Consequently, "independent living" facilities that provide personal care services in the form of assistance with the daily activities of living are also assisted living facilities.  In contrast, long-term care facilities that provide medical care are skilled nursing facilities (SNF's), otherwise known as nursing homes.  Hence, the distinguishing feature of an assisted living facility is the provision of non-medical care.  If the long-term care facility provides non-medical care in a residential setting, it's an assisted living facility.  In contrast, if the long-term care facility provides medical care, it's a nursing home.