Generally, these are state-licensed programs offered at senior residential communities with services that include meals, laundry, housekeeping, medication reminders, and assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). The exact definition will vary from state to state, and a few states do not license assisted living facilities.

Assisted living residences or assisted living facilities (ALFs) provide supervision or assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs); coordination of services by outside health care providers; and monitoring of resident activities to help to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Assistance may include the administration or supervision of medication, or personal care services provided by a trained staff person. Assisted living as it exists today emerged in the 1990's as an alternative on the continuum of care for people who cannot live independently in a private residence, but who do not need the 24 hour medical care provided by a nursing home. Assisted living is a philosophy of care and services promoting independence and dignity.

There is no nationally recognized definition of assisted living. Assisted Living facilities are regulated and licensed at the state level. More than two-thirds of the states use the licensure term "assisted living." Other licensure terms used for this philosophy of care include Residential Care Home, Assisted Care Living Facilities, and Personal Care Homes. Each state licensing agency has its own definition of the term it uses to describe assisted living.

As varied as the state licensing and definitions are, so are the types of physical layouts of buildings that provide assisted living services. ALFs can be anywhere from a small residential house for 3 residents up to very large facilities providing services to hundreds of residents.

People who live in newer model assisted living facilities usually have their own private apartment. There is usually no special medical monitoring equipment, nor 24-hour nursing staff, that you would find in a nursing home. However, trained staff are usually on-site around the clock to provide other needed services. Where provided, private apartments generally are self contained; i.e. they have their own small kitchen, bathroom, living area, and bedroom.

Alternatively, individual living spaces may resemble a dormitory or hotel room consisting of a private or semi-private sleeping area and a shared bathroom. There are usually common areas for socializing, as well as a central kitchen and dining room for preparing and eating meals.