What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living communities are designed for seniors who need a little extra help with activities like managing medication, bathing and dressing. Residents usually have their own apartment that they can decorate as they wish and have access to community amenities like dining programs, social activities and more.

Skilled nursing communities are supportive environments that provide healthcare resources like physical, occupational and speech therapy. At Brookdale, our skilled nursing communities have trained clinical staff on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist with or address health needs.

Our Brookdale team can do an assessment to determine the right amount of care for you.

Knowing when the time is right can be a little tricky since everyone’s circumstances are a little different. Generally speaking, assisted living is a great option for seniors who could benefit from assistance with the daily tasks of life, like personal grooming or managing medication. It can also be a great time to consider assisted living if you crave more social interaction or community with others. 

The cost of assisted living varies widely depending on where you live, the type of apartment you choose and the level of care you need. One of the benefits of living at a Brookdale community is that you pay for the care you need without paying for care you don't—that means you can usually find something that fits within your budget. 

Medicare and other federal programs typically don’t cover the cost of assisted living. You will likely need to pay with personal savings, assets or long-term care insurance. Learn more about alternatives to out-of-pocket payments on our Financial Resources page.

Some of our assisted living communities have different guidelines, but you are often welcome to bring personal belongings and furnishings to make your new space feel more like home. We encourage our residents to personalize their apartment so it feels comfortable, inviting and relaxing.

We offer a variety of floor plans so you can choose the one that’s right for you. The styles vary between communities, but options typically include studio apartments and one, two or three bedroom apartments. Couples can usually live in the same apartment, but it’s wise to check with the community first.

You are not required to have a car to live at one of our communities. We provide scheduled transportation services so you can run errands and make your appointments without dealing with driving or parking. However, if you still want to drive, many of our communities allow residents to have cars.

Pets are an important part of the family, which is why many of our communities are pet-friendly. Be sure to check with your individual community before you arrive in case there are weight or breed restrictions.

We try to welcome as many individuals as possible, but our number one priority is a resident’s health. If we believe a senior needs more care than we can provide, we can make suggestions for an alternative care solution.

We have trained staff members who can help with medication management. If you could benefit from this kind of service, just let the staff at the community know and they can help.