Family Resources

xxxThe following definitions of Seniors Housing Classifications were jointly developed by the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) and the National Investment Center (NIC).

Senior Housing Classifications

Active Adult Community:ss

For-sale single-family homes, town homes, cluster homes and condominiums with no specialized services, restricted to adults at least 55 years of age or older. Rental housing is not included in this category. Residents generally lead an independent lifestyle; projects are not equipped to provide increased care as the individual ages. May include amenities such as clubhouse, golf course and recreational spaces. Outdoor maintenance is normally included in the monthly homeowner's association or condominium fee.

Senior Apartment Community:

Multi-family residential rental properties restricted to adults at least 55 years of age or older. These properties do not have central kitchen facilities and generally do not provide meals to residents, but may offer community rooms, social activities, and other amenities.

Independent Living Facility (ILF):

Age-restricted multi-family rental properties with central dining facilities that provide residents with access to meals and other services such as housekeeping, linen service, transportation, and social and recreational activities as part of their monthly fee. Such properties do not provide, in a majority of the units, assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as supervision of medication, bathing, dressing, toileting, etc. There are no licensed skilled nursing beds in the property.

Assisted Living Facility (ALF):

State-regulated rental properties that provide the same services as independent living communities as described above, but which also provide, in a majority of the units, supportive care from trained employees to residents who are unable to live independently and require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) including management of medications, bathing, dressing, toileting, ambulating and eating. These properties may have some skilled nursing beds, but the majority of units are licensed for assisted living. Many of these properties include wings or floors dedicated to residents with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. A property that specializes in the care of residents with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia should be considered an assisted living property.

Independent and Assisted Living Facility (IALF):

Single communities offering both independent and assisted living within the same building or on the same campus.

Nursing Facility (NF):

Licensed daily rate or rental properties that are technically referred to as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) where the majority of individuals require 24-hour nursing and/or medical care. In most cases, these properties are licensed for Medicaid and/or Medicare reimbursement. These properties may include a minority of assisted living and/or Alzheimer's/dementia units.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs):

Age-restricted properties that include a combination of independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing services (or independent living and skilled nursing) available to residents all on one campus. Resident payment plans vary and include entrance fee, condo/co-op and rental programs. The majority of the units are not licensed skilled nursing beds.

Other Senior Websites of Interest:

Assisted Living Federation of America
www.alfa.org

American Seniors Housing Association
www.seniorhousing.org

American Association of Retired Persons
www.aarp.org

Senior Source - A Resource for Aging and Living Well
hwww.9news.com/advertorial/seniorsource

Assisted Senior Living - A Resource for Adult Children
www.assistedseniorliving.net