Retirement Communities v. Assisted Living/Nursing Homes

It is not uncommon for people to misunderstand the differences between a retirement community and an assisted living community or nursing home. Here are the major differences between them:

Retirement Communities

Age Restriction:  Minimum age of 55 or 62

Health & Mobility Restriction: Must be able to live independently with little to no assistance

Property Type: Ownership with monthly fees or rental

Size of Residence: Studio apartments to large 2+ bedrooms with den in detached home, with full kitchens

Services & Amenities: Geared to an active leisure lifestyle such as pool, tennis courts, golf course

Additional Assistance: None provided by the community. Residents may hire a service on their own

Allows Aging in Place: In most cases, no. However, Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) allow aging in place

Assisted Living/Memory Care/Nursing Homes

Age Restriction:  No age minimum

Health & Mobility Restriction: Cannot live independently

Property Type: Rental only with monthly fees depending on level of assistance

Size of Residence: Private room, private suites, shared suites, studios to 2-bedroom apartments with kitchenette

Amenities: Focused on more residential/interior facilities such as library, movie theater, living rooms

Additional Assistance: Care is provided by the community

Allows Aging in Place: Many assisted living facilities allow for aging in place if they have skilled nursing within their community or if they are able to provide/coordinate hospice services