"ILF, ALF, abc, SNF, def, CCRC, ghi. There are simply too many terms and acronyms out there to know what to look at!"

For the older adult there is housing and there is housing with services available. Different states may have different licensing types for housing which offer services and regulations may differ from state to state on what services can or can not be provided under the licensing types. To still further confuse us, different housing providers and managers will coin new terms to suggest what may or may not be available in their building.

While fine lines will probably always exist, generally...

Independent Living Facilities (ILF)
(Senior Housing, Retirement Community, Congregate Care, et. al.)

Designed and operated for those who wish to live independently but, also desire to reduce many of the demands that go along with home-ownership. Apartments are usually rented and often laid out more efficiently for the older adult. Building staff may or may not be located on site and rarely will building be staffed through the night. These facilities may offer some services but usually few beyond security, access to common areas, activities, and some form of emergency call service. In other cases, services such as meals and housekeeping are available, but these and others are generally optional. The term Congregate Care will usually indicate that these few extra options are on site. The term Senior Affordable Housing will usually indicate that there are income restrictions to qualify for residency and quite often rent subsidies will be available to qualifying tenants. Some senior housing may also have available Service Coordinators to assist residents in locating services and resources on their own from within thier community.

CCL manages retirement and senior affordable apartments.

Assisted Living Facilities (ALF)
(residential care, personal care, rest home, boarding home, et. al.)

Designed and operated for those requiring of some supportive services, buildings generally have staff on site round the clock. In this group, facilities will differ considerably with many being further regulated by the state as to what services and the extent of those services that they may provide. Many specialized facilities, such as those serving Alzheimer's residents may often be grouped in this category. Typically, the majority of residents served in assisted living facilities will require some degree of assistance with daily activities. In addition to services offered by congregate care and retirement facilities, personal services, such as assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, etc., as well as monitoring and/or the administration of medications, and on-going monitoring of chronic health conditions are generally available on site. The term Assisted Living Facility has come to indicate that the building offers individual, private apartments to further sustain each resident's privacy and independence.

CCL manages assisted living and residential care units.

Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
(nursing home, intermediate care, et. al.)

Designed and operated to serve residents who are quite frail or who may require round-the-clock nursing assistance. The provision of nursing care requires licensing by the state and at this level must meet very rigid state and federal requirements. Some people stay for a short time in a nursing home and then go home while others may need more care for a longer period. Various medical services and different kinds of therapies (physical, occupational, and speech) may also be available on site. Some nursing homes also have special units for residents with dementia or Alzheimer's.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
(life care, et. al.)

Designed and operated to provide various different types of housing with graduating services availability at one location. CCRCs generally offer a contract that is intended to remain in effect for the balance of the resident's lifetime to guarantee shelter and long-term care services. Beginning with independent or assisted living housing, residents will have access to various health services and skilled nursing accommodations if/when needed. Customarily a lump sum entrance fee, paid upon moving to the community, and monthly payments thereafter are required to purchase a continuing care contract.

While these groupings are certainly not all-inclusive, they may assist you in at least beginning your search for housing options.

CCL manages both independent and assisted facilities, offering market rate and affordable rents; services may be private pay or Medicaid. Contact us.