Assisted living is a residential long-term care option that provides housing,
24-hour oversight, personal care services, health related services, or a combination
of these on an as-needed basis to vulnerable and medically, functionally,
and cognitively impaired older adults. Assisted living is the fastest-growing senior
housing option in the United States. Key philosophical tenets of assisted
living are aging-in-place and maximizing the function and quality of life of the
resident. The goal of the physical environment is a home-like atmosphere, pace,
and place that specifi cally avoids the appearance of an institutional or medical
facility.