Among all the retirement homes, the most common that comes out in searches is "Assisted Living Facility" or "ALF". Every state has a different set of regulations governing their assisted living facilities, and in some states are more regulated than in others. Names used for an assisted living facility in different states could be Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly, Board and Care, Community Based Retirement Facilities, Personal Care, Adult Living Facilities, Adult Foster Care, Adult Homes, Congregate Care, Adult Congregate Living Care, Domiciliary Care, Supportive Care, Enhanced Care, Sheltered Housing and Elder Care Homes.

Nursing Homes or Skilled Nursing Facilities are as searched as assisted living facilities and finding the best nursing home care available in your area can be difficult at best. The State Survey Agency is the authority responsible for the certification and inspection of skilled care facilities or nursing homes. The State Survey Agency is the one investigating nursing homes complaints and deficiencies and the one that ensure that each nursing home or skilled nursing facility is run in compliance with state regulations.

Independent Living Communities are another type of retirement living that is designed for seniors who prefer to live independently among their peers in a secure environment with certain amenities and services available. Independent Living Communities vary significantly with regards to the type of services that they provide. Personal care services are usually not provided while meals, housekeeping, transportation, and planned social activities are included. Independent Living Communities are referred to as Senior Apartments, Senior Housing, Senior Communities, Retirement Homes and Active 55+ Communities.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities are very popular retirement home and well searched by our senior population. They are designed for seniors who are interested in independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing or nursing home and certain healthcare services all at one location. Residents usually begin in an independent living residence, transfer to assisted living, and if declining health dictates, move to an onsite intermediate or skilled nursing care facility. Continuing Care Retirement Communities by definition provides all levels of care allowing seniors to age in place.

Alzheimer's: Alzheimer's is a brutal disease that destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior. There are about 5 million Americans having some level of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's currently has no cure but there are treatments that can slow the progression of the disease.

Dementia: Although Alzheimer's disease is 50 to 70 percent of dementia cases, there several other types of dementia that affect seniors. The advanced stages of dementia may require seniors to live in a special dementia care facility. Dementia tends to start slow but then accelerate rapidly. Life in an dementia care center can not be compared with other senior living options. The facilities are design more for the safety of the residents than the standard of living.

Accommodations for seniors with Dementia/Alzheimer's: One of the biggest hazards for dementia/alzheimer's patients is getting lost or wandering off. Since dementia/alzheimer's patients become easily disoriented, many facilities have very simple single floor plans, all the exterior doors at the facility are usually secure, and some facilities also have a secure (locked) outdoor area. Those security features may make the patients feel like they are in a prison. Some of the smaller asssisted living facilities( 6-8 beds residential assisted living facilities) provide a secure environment and home like atmosphere for dementia/alzheimer's residents, eliminating the "locked up" feeling.

There are many facilities that offer dementia/alzheimer's care such as assisted living facilities, nursing homes, congregate care facilities, special dementia/alzheimer's care centers(units), and there is also in-home care with private duty caregivers.