What is the difference between assisted living, memory care, and residential assisted living?

Assisted living communities provide housing, meals, housekeeping, and help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication, in an apartment-style setting with shared amenities and social programming.

Memory care is a specialized level of care for people living with Alzheimer's or other dementias. It provides a secure environment, structured routines, and staff trained in dementia care, usually at a higher monthly cost than assisted living.

Residential assisted living, sometimes called a residential care home, is a smaller licensed home, often six to ten residents, offering the same daily support in a homelike setting with a higher staff-to-resident ratio. The right choice depends on the person's needs, preferences, and budget, and many families compare all three before deciding.