Retirement Hotels
Retirement hotels are designed for individuals who wish to lead an independent lifestyle. They provide rooms with a shared or private bath and may be furnished or unfurnished, and maid service is typically provided. Congregate meals are also included, and facilities often sponsor some social programming. If a person becomes ill or disabled while living in a retirement hotel, it is often possible to hire personal care service attendants. Residents must pay a monthly fee that covers rent and meals. Retirement hotels do not require entrance fees or leases. Age requirements vary according to the facility.

Congregate Communities
Congregate living communities are unlicensed facilities that generally include room, light housekeeping and meals. Residents may have their own room or an apartment. Congregate living facilities assume that residents can manage activities of daily living independently or that they will hire additional caretakers to meet their needs. Most facilities provide social activities and transportation to stores, physician appointments and outings. These facilities are most appropriate for individuals who enjoy socializing but find it increasingly difficult to manage their own apartments or homes. Most congregate living residents pay a monthly fee.

Board and Care Homes
Board and care homes are smaller versions of assisted living facilities. Board and care homes typically provide rooms, meals, 24-hour supervision and help with activities of daily living, such as transportation, dispensing medication, bathing, dressing and eating. Meals are provided in a congregate dining room and social programming is provided. Many board and care homes offer a "home like" atmosphere and can vary in size from as few as 6 residents to as many as 100. Although some minor nursing services may be provided, board and care homes do not provide skilled nursing. Some board and care homes are willing to accommodate various degrees of dementia. Mobility requirements vary from facility to facility. Board and care home are a less costly option to receiving 24-hour skilled care. Residents of board and care homes pay monthly fees that cover rooms, meals and services. Some board and care homes accept Supplemental Security Insurance for low-income elderly.

Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities offer a range of services to people who are more frail than those living in board and care homes or in a congregate community. They are often licensed to provide adult day health care, physician services and assisting with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting and eating. Residents typically have their own room or apartment. Some assisted living facilities are independent, while others are connected with apartments or nursing homes. Residents pay a monthly fee and some facilities accept Supplemental Security Insurance for low-income elderly. Additional fees are often charged for low level nursing care and/or extensive attendant care.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Continuing care retirement communities (also known as Life Care Communities) are facilities designed for adults over the age of 55, with most residents 62 years or older. They are designed to promote independent functioning within a community that provides a wide range of service including meals, housekeeping, social activities, medical services and skilled nursing care. Residents must be ambulatory and capable of independent living upon acceptance, but are eligible for support services such as personal care and skilled nursing care if illness or disability occurs later. Continuing care retirement communities provide three levels of care. Services are provided for those who need minimal assistance at the residential living level, those who need moderate assistance at the assisted living level and those who need more intensive services at the skilled nursing level. This living option can be attractive since it eliminates the need to move once an individual's health and medical needs change. Most continuing care retirement communities require a substantial entry fee or buy-in, as well as a monthly fee.

Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled nursing facilities (also known as "nursing homes") are licensed facilities that offer room and board, nursing care, 24-hour supervision and medical care. Skilled nursing facilities provide care for those who have chronic illnesses or disabilities and need long-term care. They are also appropriate for people who are recuperating from an illness or injury and need skilled nursing care, but do not need to be hospitalized. Skilled nursing facilities provide nursing and physician services as well as dietary, pharmaceutical and rehabilitative (i.e. physical therapy) services. Activity programs are provided, and some facilities offer religious services. A skilled nursing facility is the most expensive senior housing option. Medicare will generally cover most of the cost for short-term rehabilitative care at a skilled nursing facility. Medicaid will pay for care at a skilled nursing facility only after all other financial resources have been exhausted. Only a limited number of nursing homes accept Medicaid and those that do often have waiting lists.