Senior assisted living facilities are for people who wish to live as independently as possible, but may need assistance with daily activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, laundry, housekeeping, transportation, and assistance with medications. Generally residents in assisted living centers need support, but do not require the constant care of a skilled nursing home. Assisted living is not an alternative to a nursing home, but an intermediate level of long-term care appropriate for many seniors.

Most assisted living facilities create a care plan for each individual resident upon admission. The care plan details the personalized services required by the resident and guaranteed by the facility. The plan is updated regularly to assure that the resident receives the appropriate care as his or her condition changes.