The SCAN Foundation

Assisted living communities are home to a million people who are receiving long-term services and supports, but usually at a much less intense level than the care available in nursing homes. Unlike nursing homes, which are under a relatively strict set of rules because the nursing homes receive large amounts of federal money, the assisted living industry is regulated by the states, and there is great variation in state handling of this industry. The continuum of care in assisted living facilities varies — some residents may just need to be reminded to take their medicines, others will need help with bathing — making the application of regulations uncertain, with each state having different policies and approaches. “A long term care option preferred by many individuals and their families because of its emphasis on resident choice, dignity, and privacy, assisted living continues to grow while adapting to changes in consumer wants and needs,” according to a March, 2010 report “Assisted Living State Regulatory Review 2010," by the National Center for Assisted Living.

“The varying laws and regulations affecting assisted living settings have created a diverse and fluid operating environment for providers and a mix of terminology, settings, and available services for consumers.”