01 How to use this guide
The six types of care below exist on a spectrum — from minimal support at home all the way to 24/7 skilled nursing. Most families start at one level and move along the spectrum as needs change. Understanding each option before a crisis hits means you can make thoughtful decisions instead of rushed ones.
| Type of care | Level of need | Avg. monthly cost | Medicare covered? |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-home care | Low to moderate | $4,500–$6,500 | Limited |
| Adult day services | Low to moderate | $1,500–$2,200 | No |
| Assisted living | Moderate | $4,000–$7,000 | No |
| Memory care | Moderate to high | $5,500–$9,000 | No |
| Skilled nursing facility | High | $8,000–$12,000 | Short-term only |
| CCRC (all-in-one) | All levels | $3,000–$6,000+ entry fee | Partial |
02 In-home care
In-home care allows a person to remain in their own home while receiving support from a paid caregiver. It is the most preferred option among seniors and often the right starting point for families navigating early care needs.
In-home care covers a wide range of services: help with bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, transportation, and companionship. Caregivers can come a few hours a day, several days a week, or around the clock depending on the level of need.
There are two main types: non-medical home care (personal care and companionship, provided by home health aides) and skilled home health care (nursing, physical therapy, or occupational therapy provided by licensed professionals — sometimes covered by Medicare after a hospital stay).
Advantages
- Stays in familiar home environment
- Flexible — hours scale with need
- One-on-one personalized attention
- Often less expensive than facilities
Limitations
- 24-hour care can be expensive
- Home may need modifications
- Less social interaction than facilities
- Finding reliable caregivers takes effort
03 Adult day services
Adult day programs provide structured daytime care outside the home — typically in a community center or senior facility — while the person returns home in the evening. They are often the most affordable care option and a lifeline for family caregivers who work during the day.
Programs typically run 6–8 hours on weekdays and include meals, activities, social interaction, health monitoring, and sometimes physical or occupational therapy. Some programs are specifically designed for individuals with dementia and provide a safe, structured environment that slows cognitive decline.
Advantages
- Most affordable supervised option
- Strong social component
- Respite for family caregivers
- Person sleeps at home
Limitations
- Weekdays only at most programs
- Requires transportation to/from
- Not suitable for high-care needs
04 Assisted living
Assisted living communities provide housing, meals, personal care, and activities for seniors who need support with daily activities but don't require around-the-clock skilled nursing care. It is the most common residential care choice for seniors who can no longer safely live alone.
Residents live in private or semi-private apartments and receive help with bathing, dressing, medication management, and other daily activities as needed. Meals are provided communally, housekeeping and laundry are included, and social activities and transportation are typically offered.
Most assisted living communities offer tiered care levels — basic, intermediate, and enhanced — with pricing that increases with the level of support needed. It's important to understand how a community prices care increases as needs change over time.
Advantages
- Social community and activities
- All-inclusive — no household management
- Care scales as needs increase
- Peace of mind for families
Limitations
- Not covered by Medicare
- Quality varies enormously
- May require move if needs exceed capacity
- Loss of full independence for some
Need help finding the right assisted living community?
Our placement partners can match your family with vetted assisted living communities based on location, care needs, and budget — at no cost to you. The communities pay a referral fee when a resident moves in.
Get a free assisted living match →The Care Compass may receive a referral fee for placements made through our partners. This does not affect which communities are recommended to you.
05 Memory care
Memory care is a specialized form of residential care designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or other forms of cognitive impairment. It provides a secure, structured environment with staff trained in dementia care.
Memory care communities have secured entrances and exits to prevent wandering, structured daily routines that reduce confusion and anxiety, programming specifically designed for cognitive engagement, and staff trained in dementia behavior management. The higher cost reflects the specialized staffing and environment required.
Memory care may exist as a standalone facility or as a dedicated wing within an assisted living community. When evaluating options, the quality of dementia-specific programming and staff training matters more than amenities.
Advantages
- Safe, secure environment
- Specialized dementia programming
- Reduces caregiver burden significantly
- Social interaction with peers
Limitations
- Most expensive residential option
- Not covered by Medicare
- Quality varies widely — visit carefully
06 Skilled nursing facility (nursing home)
A skilled nursing facility (SNF), commonly called a nursing home, provides the highest level of non-hospital care — 24-hour nursing supervision, medical management, rehabilitation services, and full personal care. It is the appropriate setting for those with complex medical needs that can't be managed in a less intensive environment.
SNFs provide wound care, IV therapy, post-surgical recovery, physical and occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, and management of complex chronic conditions — alongside full personal care. Many people use SNFs for short-term rehabilitation after a hospital stay before returning home, not just for long-term care.
Medicare covers SNF care for up to 100 days following a qualifying 3-day hospital stay — but only for skilled rehabilitation, not for ongoing custodial care. After 100 days, private pay or Medicaid (for those who qualify) picks up the cost.
Advantages
- Highest level of medical oversight
- Short-term rehab covered by Medicare
- Medicaid covers long-term for those who qualify
Limitations
- Most expensive care setting
- Less home-like environment
- Less autonomy and privacy
07 Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs)
A CCRC — also called a life plan community — offers the full continuum of care on one campus: independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Residents can move between levels of care as needs change without having to relocate to a new community.
CCRCs typically require a substantial entry fee — ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000+ depending on the community and contract type — plus monthly fees. In exchange, residents are guaranteed access to all levels of care on campus for life. This is a significant financial and lifestyle decision that requires careful research.
There are three main contract types: Type A (all-inclusive — higher upfront cost but care costs don't increase), Type B (modified — some services included, others at extra cost), and Type C (fee-for-service — lower entry fee but you pay market rate for care as needed).
08 How to choose the right level of care
The right care setting depends on the person's medical needs, cognitive status, social preferences, financial situation, and family capacity to help. Use this decision guide as a starting framework.
Which care type fits your situation?
Match your situation to the best starting point — most families move along this spectrum over time.
09 Your action plan
Whether you're planning ahead or responding to a current need, these are the steps to take now.
Care types action checklist
Not sure which community or care type is right?
Our senior care placement advisors help families find the right care setting based on needs, location, and budget — at no cost to your family. Communities pay a referral fee; you pay nothing.
Talk to a free placement advisor →The Care Compass may receive a referral fee for placements made through our partners.