Glossary of Senior Living Terms: What Families Need to Know

Choosing a senior living community for a loved one—or yourself—can feel overwhelming, especially when you're faced with unfamiliar terms and acronyms. At The Pearl Senior Living, we’re here to make the journey clearer, more comfortable, and more informed for families.

To help you feel more confident and empowered, we’ve put together a glossary of common senior living terms you’re likely to encounter when exploring care options.

Types of Senior Living Communities

Independent Living (IL)
A residential setting for active seniors who need little or no daily assistance. Offers amenities like meals, housekeeping, and activities in a maintenance-free environment.

Assisted Living (AL)
For seniors who need help with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, or medication management, but still want to live as independently as possible. Residents have their own apartments and access to 24/7 support.

Memory Care (MC)
Specialized care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. These communities provide secure environments, trained staff, and cognitive-support programs.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)
Also known as a nursing home, SNFs offer 24-hour medical care and rehabilitation for individuals with more complex health needs. Often used for short-term recovery or long-term medical support.

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
A community that offers multiple levels of care (IL, AL, MC, and SNF) on one campus, allowing residents to “age in place” as their needs evolve.

Care & Support Terms

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, toileting, and mobility. These are often used to assess the level of care a person needs.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
More complex tasks that support independent living—like cooking, cleaning, managing medications, and handling finances.

Respite Care
Short-term care provided to give family caregivers a break. Can range from a few days to several weeks.

Hospice Care
Comfort-focused care for individuals with a terminal illness, typically with a prognosis of six months or less. Hospice supports both the patient and their family.

Palliative Care
Specialized care focused on relieving symptoms and stress from serious illnesses—can be provided alongside curative treatments, unlike hospice.

Community Life Terms

Life Enrichment / Activities Programming
Planned social, physical, and recreational activities designed to engage residents, support wellness, and promote quality of life.

Care Plan
A personalized plan developed by caregivers, healthcare providers, and family members outlining the resident’s needs, goals, and services.

Level of Care
Describes how much assistance a resident needs with daily tasks and medical care. Determines service costs and support.

Medication Management
Professional oversight to ensure medications are taken correctly, on time, and safely.

Financial Terms

Community Fee
A one-time fee that covers move-in costs, initial services, or apartment preparation.

Monthly Service Fee
Ongoing fee covering rent, meals, utilities, housekeeping, and activities.

Levels of Care
Refers to the amount of assistance a resident needs with daily tasks or medical support. Higher levels of care typically involve more staff time and services, which may increase monthly fees. Care levels are assessed regularly to ensure residents receive the right support as their needs change.

Long-Term Care Insurance
An insurance policy that can help pay for services like assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing.

Private Pay
Refers to out-of-pocket payment for care, rather than government assistance or insurance.

You Don’t Have to Navigate It Alone

At The Pearl Senior Living, we understand how important it is to make informed, confident choices. Whether you’re just starting your research or ready to schedule a tour, our team is here to support you every step of the way.

Have questions or want to learn more? Call us at (469) 702-0303 or visit www.thepearlseniorliving.com.