Start with the care someone needs today, then compare the settings that can provide it. These labels help you browse; they do not rate a community’s quality or confirm that it can meet every need.
CCRC / Life Plan community
A community with several levels of living and care for changing needs.
CCRC stands for continuing care retirement community. Also called a Life Plan community, it combines independent living with access to other levels of care, such as assisted living and skilled nursing. The exact services and arrangements vary by campus.
Many charge an entrance fee as well as monthly fees. A Life Plan name alone does not tell you what future care will cost or guarantee an available room. Read the contract to understand care access, fees, transfers, and any refund terms.
Questions worth asking
- Which care levels are on this campus, and which require a move elsewhere?
- What happens if I need more care and a room is not available?
- What are the entrance fee, monthly fees, future care charges, and refund conditions?
Reference: National Institute on Aging.
Group homes / assisted living homes
A smaller residential setting with help for everyday needs.
In this directory, “group home” refers to an assisted living home for older adults. In Arizona, an assisted living home is licensed for 10 or fewer residents. It often feels more like a shared house than a large campus.
A small setting may appeal to someone who prefers a quieter household. Size alone does not tell you the staffing, privacy, activities, or care available. Ask how the home supports the specific needs of the person moving in.
Questions worth asking
- How many residents and caregivers are here during the day and overnight?
- Are bedrooms and bathrooms private or shared?
- Which care needs can the home support, and when would a resident need to move?
Reference: Arizona community definitions.
Assisted living center
A larger assisted living setting, often with more shared spaces.
Arizona uses “assisted living center” for a setting licensed for 11 or more residents. Centers vary considerably in size and may offer apartments, dining rooms, activity areas, and organized programs.
The larger setting does not automatically mean more intensive care. Some centers also offer memory care, but you should confirm the services, staffing, and admission requirements for the exact building or neighborhood.
Questions worth asking
- How far is the apartment from dining, activities, and staff?
- What assistance is included, and what costs extra?
- How are overnight needs and changes in care handled?
Reference: Arizona community definitions.
Offers independent living
An option for people who mainly want housing, convenience, and community.
Independent living focuses on day-to-day life with less home upkeep. Meals, activities, transportation, and other services depend on the community. Routine personal care or nursing is not something to assume is included.
“Offers independent living” is a service label in our filter, not a statement about the size or license of the property. A Life Plan campus or a community with assisted living may also appear here. One community can fit more than one category.
Questions worth asking
- Which meals, housekeeping, transportation, and activities are included?
- If personal assistance becomes necessary, can it be arranged here?
- Would needing more care require a different contract or a move?
Reference: National Institute on Aging.
Adult foster care home
A very small household with a sponsor or manager who lives there.
This means care for adults, not children. Arizona defines this setting around one to four adults participating in Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) or U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs arrangements, with a live-in sponsor or manager who integrates residents into the family.
It is a distinct category, not another name for every small assisted living home. Eligibility and payment arrangements matter. Ask the home and the relevant program to confirm whether it is an option for your situation.
Questions worth asking
- What program eligibility and payment arrangements apply?
- Who lives in the home, and who provides backup care?
- What daily help, transportation, and supervision are available?
Reference: Arizona community definitions.
You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Tell us about your needs and the area you prefer. GlenOak can help you compare the options and decide what to ask next.