Assisted living residences are:

1. housing environments which provide individualized health and personal care assistance in a home-like setting. The level of care available is between that provided in congregate housing (housing with meal service) and a skilled nursing facility. In these settings:
   • residents are semi-independent physically or mentally, or frail persons who need frequent assistance;

   • services offered include, personal care assistance, health care monitoring, limited health care services and/or the dispensing of medications;

   • state licensing and regulation by state social welfare agencies is required.

2. important because they promote independence by meeting residents' supportive needs while preventing inappropriate institutionalization.

3. known by various other names. The most common are: personal care homes, sheltered housing, residential care, homes for adults, managed care, catered living, board and care, and domiciliary care.