Find the Best Senior Living Communities Near You

Updated: May 23

Updated: May 23, 2024

For many older adults, there may come a time when living in their current home is no longer desirable or possible. Deciding on next steps can depend a lot on their health and their preferences.

Someone who no longer wants the upkeep of a larger home and yard work might choose an independent living or continuing care retirement community. If basic daily tasks are becoming a struggle or if they’re recovering from a hospitalization, seniors might look into an assisted living setting where there is some help available, either temporarily or longer term. Families concerned for a loved one with memory loss can consider a memory care community with staff to help with both daily activities and safety.

In 2024, U.S. News analyzed nearly 400,000 survey responses from residents and their family members at more than 3,500 senior living communities nationwide. The top-rated communities for each level of care have been rated Best Senior Living in their categories.

What Type of Senior Living Is Best for You?

Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care Nursing Home, Skilled Nursing Continuing Care Retirement Community

Independent Living

Sometimes known as retirement communities, independent living communities are for seniors who can live on their own, want to enjoy a community of other seniors and don’t require outside assistance for daily activities. These communities typically require residents to be at least 65 years of age, though some, known as active adult communities, are geared toward the 55-plus set. Living arrangements can be apartment- or condo-style multi-unit buildings, smaller houses or one-story villas that offer single or multi-bedrooms with living space and a kitchen. Seniors typically pay monthly rent, and there may be a requirement to eat at least one meal a day in a common dining area.

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Benefits

Local transportation.
General yard work.
Social activities.
Group meals.

Cost

Monthly payment or rent.
Not covered by Medicare.

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Assisted Living

Assisted living communities are for those who need some help with activities of daily living, or ADLs, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating and transferring from bed to chair or toilet. Residents may also need some assistance with instrumental ADLs, or IADLs. These activities typically include meal preparation, housekeeping, transportation and financial management. Residents in assisted living facilities do not require medical care, but they cannot live independently. They can, however, reside in their own apartments within the community and participate in social and other activities. Care is provided for what is needed – often including tasks like housekeeping, cooking and laundry – and communities are staffed by trained caregivers. Usually, assisted living expenses are paid as a monthly rate, either out of pocket or covered by long-term care insurance.

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Benefits

Personal needs.
Grocery shopping.
Social activities.
Local transportation and more.

Cost

Monthly payment or rent.
Covered by long-term care insurance.
Typically not covered by Medicare.

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Memory Care

Memory care living is for individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or those who are living with confusion. Typically, memory care is a smaller care setting within an assisted living community, but it has a secured perimeter to prevent wandering and ensure a resident’s safety. Depending on the level of personal care needed, a senior with dementia might consider a nursing home with a dedicated memory care unit. Memory care is typically paid on a monthly basis with long-term care insurance or out of pocket.

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Get Help With

Memory exercises.
Daily activities.
Social activities.
Safe environment.

Cost

Monthly payment or rent.
Covered by long-term care insurance.
Not covered by Medicare.

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Nursing Home, Skilled Nursing

Skilled nursing facilities, or SNFs, are more commonly referred to as nursing homes (an umbrella term for these facilities that provide medical care) and are appropriate for people who require 24-hour care or monitoring. Short-term – approximately three months – rehabilitative nursing home care is typically covered by Medicare given a doctor’s orders. Long-term care is usually covered by a combination of long-term care insurance and, in certain situations, Medicaid.

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Get Help With

Medications.
Personal hygiene.
24/7 care.

Cost

Some care covered by Medicare.
Some care covered by long-term care insurance.

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Continuing Care Retirement Community

CCRCs are communities that offer independent residential living as well as assisted living and skilled nursing care. Residents, who almost always start at independent living, can transition between levels of care as their needs and health change without having to move to a different community. This continuity is desirable for a lot of seniors, but it can be costly. CCRCs, which are licensed at a state level, typically offer a payment option that covers life-care services. This option means that when independent living residents require a transition to assisted living or skilled nursing, the CCRC will guarantee the move at a predetermined cost outlined in the CCRC payment agreement. Most CCRCs charge an initial entrance fee that can range widely but averages between $200,000 and $500,000. There’s typically a monthly cost to cover expenses such as dining and utilities as well.

Learn more about Continuing Care Retirement Communities

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Benefits

Transition to care as you need.
No need to move for additional services.
Social activities.
Local transportation.

Cost

Usually entrance fee and monthly maintenance fee.

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Senior Living Differences

The time may come when your elderly mother, father or other loved one cannot fully care for themselves. The adult children may not have the capability or resources to ensure their relative’s health and safety. At that point, you might consider a move to a senior living community that can provide the care and services needed. So, what are the main differences between all of these senior living options? We’ve listed a few below to help you make that decision.

	Independent Living	Assisted Living	Memory Care	Nursing Home	Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Memory loss care		Sometimes		Ask	Ask
Help with daily activities
Medication management					Yes for care settings
Social activities
Group dining
Housekeeping	Ask			N/A
Maintenance			N/A	N/A
Transportation to medical appointments				Typically available on site
Transportation to local destinations
Cost	Monthly rent average costs range from $1,800 to $4,014.	Monthly rent average $4,500 per month	Memory care costs and additional $250 to $1,500 a month on top of the base living fee.	Avg Yearly Rent: $106,000 for a private room, $93,075 for a semi-private room.	Entrance fee + maintenance fee costs between: $100,000 - $1 million plus. Monthly fee varies on location.

Independent Living

Assisted Living

Memory Care

Nursing Home