Decoding Unfamiliar Senior Living Terms: A Simple Guide

If you’ve started exploring senior living options, or even if you’ve already moved into a community, you’ve probably already run into a wave of unfamiliar terms. While employees and staff may use these terms daily with ease, they may sound unfamiliar, confusing, or even overwhelming. These terms involve your home and your care, and you should be able to understand them. 

“ADLs,” “Level of Care,” “Community Fee,” “Age in Place,” it can feel like learning a new language at a time when you’re already making big decisions for someone you love.

This guide breaks down some of the most common (and most confusing) senior living terms so you can navigate the process with confidence. Here are some terms that we’re going to help you better understand.

• Activities of Daily Living (ADL) 
• Assessment
• “Base Rate" or Rent Charge
• "Level of Care" Charge
• Community Fee
• Age in Place
• Skilled Nursing Facility

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

ADLs are the basic tasks we all perform every day, things such as dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, mobility, and continence care. Senior living communities use ADLs to understand how much support a resident may need.

Assessment

An assessment is provided by our community nurse using a standard point system to develop a specialized Service Plan for the resident. The goal is to develop a plan for the resident to meet all their specific needs – the points accumulated link to the Level of Care.

“Base Rate" or Rent Charge

Your “base rate” or rent is the primary monthly fee covering core services, typically including rent, utilities, and maintenance. Other items may be covered in your base rate. This rate essentially covers your basic accommodations but usually excludes personalized care costs, which are billed separately. See "Level of Care" Charge and Community Fee.

"Level of Care" Charge

Level of care designations maximize the quality of life for each and every resident by providing the highest level of care and service. We understand that everyone’s care needs are unique; therefore, we offer 7 levels of care, tailoring our support to ensure you receive the perfect amount of time and assistance – fostering independence while prioritizing safety. Your Level of Care charge will vary based on your specific level as determined by your assessment.

Community Fee

Your community fee is a one-time fee, usually levied at the beginning of your contract to cover incidental charges associated with preparing your new home. 

Age in Place

Age in Place refers to having the flexibility and mobility to remain in one community as your care needs change. We are committed to our core value of choice: we offer options to best meet your needs, whether it’s Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Memory Care. Age in Place allows residents to maintain control over their living arrangements while preserving their quality of life.

Skilled Nursing Facility

A skilled nursing facility differs from a senior living community in several important ways.  A skilled nursing facility is also staffed by health care professionals who may provide more complex medical services.  These would be services that exceed or are not permitted in assisted living/memory care, such as skilled step-down post-hospital rehab, ventilators, complex psychiatric issues, and a small variety of other complex medical issues.

H&P

H&P stands for history and physical, which we are required to obtain from residents prior to admission to our Assisted Living and Memory Care neighborhood. 

Wrap Up

Whether you are searching for the right senior living community or have recently selected one, you may be inundated with unfamiliar terms that may sound official and confusing. We hope this guide helped you navigate these terms. Don’t forget, this is your care and your home; feel free to ask any questions you may have to best understand any unfamiliar terms.