What is assisted living?

Assisted living is housing for people who need help with daily care but not as much as a nursing home provides. The National Institute on Aging says residents usually have their own apartment or room and get meals, help with personal care and medications, housekeeping, laundry, supervision, security and activities. The Alzheimer's Association notes assisted living is not federally regulated and definitions vary by state.

A nursing home focuses more on medical care. The National Institute on Aging says nursing homes typically provide nursing care, constant supervision, meals, help with everyday activities and rehabilitation such as physical therapy, while assisted living offers help with daily care for people who need less. Assisted living tends to cost more than living independently but less than a nursing home. Medicaid may cover nursing home care for eligible people.

No. Medicare does not pay for assisted living, including for people with dementia, the National Institute on Aging says, and the Alzheimer's Association adds that Medicare only covers short-term skilled care after a hospital stay. Most people pay the full cost themselves. The Alzheimer's Association puts the national average for basic assisted living services at $74,400 a year. Some long-term care insurance policies cover part of it.

Sometimes, in part. The National Institute on Aging says Medicaid may cover some aspects of assisted living, depending on the state and whether the person is eligible. The Alzheimer's Association advises asking each community whether it takes Medicaid, since some do and others do not, and seeing an elder law attorney before moving in if you expect to need Medicaid. Contact your state Medicaid agency for its rules.

Memory care is a unit designed for people with dementia, often inside an assisted living community or nursing home. The Alzheimer's Association calls these special care units and says they may or may not be locked. Not all assisted living providers offer services designed for dementia, so ask. Some states require communities to disclose what their special care unit offers, such as staff dementia preparation and activities.