What Are Retirement and Assisted Living Centers?

Retirement homes, retirement communities and assisted living centers are places where senior citizens can spend their golden years.

Retirement Community

• A retirement community or village is a development of individual houses and/or apartments. People must often be at least a minimum age to purchase or rent them. The accommodations are designed for elder safety and usually have communal areas.

Retirement Center

• A retirement home or retirement center is a multi-residence housing facility. Separate rooms or apartments and communal facilities are provided. Food is usually provided in a central location, and medical care is on hand.

Assisted Living Center

• An assisted living center offers more services: medical assistance, up to and including hospice care; general care, such as aid in washing or dressing; and nursing assistance.

Cost

• It is usually possible to purchase either a home or membership, as with a co-op, or to rent space in a senior living center. Services or food are provided for an extra charges.

Benefits

• People choose senior living centers as a means to maintain semi-independence without sacrificing social interaction.