Assisted Living Communities

Assisted living communities provide support with daily activities (bathing, dressing, meals, medication) in a residential setting. Nursing homes — also called skilled nursing facilities — provide 24-hour medical care and rehabilitation services for individuals with complex health needs. Assisted living is not a clinical setting; nursing homes are. If a resident's health needs increase beyond what an assisted living community can manage, a transfer to skilled nursing is usually required.

Nationally, assisted living costs range from roughly $3,500 to $6,500 per month, with significant variation by state, city, and individual community. Urban markets in California, New York, and the Pacific Northwest tend to be higher; rural markets in the Midwest and South tend to be lower. The base rate often covers housing, meals, and basic personal care — but medication management, additional therapy services, and higher acuity care frequently carry extra charges.

Medicare does not cover assisted living costs. Medicare pays for short-term skilled nursing care and some home health services, but it does not cover custodial care — which is what assisted living primarily provides. Medicaid may cover some assisted living costs in certain states through home and community-based waiver programs, though eligibility, coverage limits, and waiting lists vary widely by state.

Assisted living licensing is administered at the state level, so the verification process varies by state. Each community's listing on SilverTech surfaces the state license number when one is available, and the state regulations pages link directly to each state's licensing agency verification tool. You can also request a copy of the most recent inspection report directly from the facility or from the state oversight agency.

Ask how the community assesses care needs and updates care plans over time. Ask what triggers a required move to a higher level of care — and what that process looks like. Ask to see the full written fee schedule and clarify every charge beyond the base rate. Ask about staff-to-resident ratios on nights and weekends. Ask whether the community is nonprofit or for-profit and who the operating organization is. And ask to speak with a current resident's family member before you decide.