Education
Independent Living Communities (IL)
...are mostly apartment-style buildings or villa/cottage like homes offering many activities and social opportunities. Monthly rent usually includes housekeeping, utilities, maintenance, laundry, 24-hour staffing, and meals. Since independent living communities are aimed at older adults who need little or no assistance with activities of daily living, most do not offer medical care or nursing staff. You can, however, hire in-home help separately as required.
Assisted Living Communities (AL)
...allow residents to live independent with nursing and caregiver assistance on site. They assist with activities of daily living such as transfers, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and medication management. There is a common restaurant-style dining room or residents can bring the meal to their room. Features may include transportation to appointments, library, salon, spa, pool, game room, fitness center, movie theater.

Memory Care Communities (MC)
...are intended for those with forms of dementia or Alzheimers. These communities could be stand-alone or may be in a secured part of an assisted living community. Like assisted living, there is nursing assistance on site for medication management and assistance with activities of daily living.
Residential Care Facilities (RCFE)
...or ‘board and care,’ is a six bedroom residential home that is licensed for care by the state of California. They are staffed around the clock with two caregivers that assist with transfers, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and medication management. Individuals who are most qualified for a board and care typically require a higher acuity of care than their current living situation can provide.