As my parents began to reach the age when they began to need my help with daily activities, I started to think about care givers and nursing homes, but then I discovered that there are now many different types of senior care facilities. Each elderly care center is now being geared towards the level of care needed. Retirement communities are basically 55 and older communities with all the amenities geared to an active lifestyle. They are mainly for those who need very little or no help with daily activities. Some have golf courses, fitness centers and organized daily activities and or more like a country club.

A lot of baby boomers and their 40 to 60 year old "children" are looking at assisted living facilities because assisted living facilities offer the best of both worlds, so to speak. They offer on staff, 24 hour professional medical care as well as life styles for seniors who are active but still need some assistance. I originally considered home care for my folks because I thought it would cost less. Home care would have allowed my parents to stay in their home but offered the advantages of a professional care giver. My research indicated that assisted living was a better fit.

Residential care homes are essentially an average home that is converted with the necessary amenities (ramps, handicap handles in bathrooms, etc.) to accommodate seniors needing various levels of care. After living in my neighborhood for years, I discovered that the home across the street and two doors down was a residential care facility. My guess is that it is geared towards Alzheimer's care because I have never seen any elderly people walking outside. Alzheimer's patients need constant, confined, around the clock care. The categories noted below are a concise summary of some of the types of care available. My thanks to Senior Living Mentor for giving me access to this information and enabling me to provide assistance for my parents. Their website was very concise, easy to use and gave me access to thousands of senior living facilities. I hope this information is of some help.

*ASSISTED LIVING. A more independent environment than a nursing home. They provide daily activities, health care and personal assistance.

*ALZHEIMER CARE.Often delivered in a completely separate area of a nursing home. Highly structured daily activities with closely monitored supervision.

*HOME CARE.Usually 24 hour support with bathing, cooking, transportation and bill paying, delivered to seniors who prefer to stay in their own home.

*NURSING HOMES.For seniors who need constant assistance and require consistent medical care. Sometimes operated within hospitals.

*RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES. A homelike setting similar to family living. For residents who require similar assistance to assisted living or nursing homes.

*RETIREMENT COMMUNUTIES. Mainly for independent seniors with few medical problems. Apartment type living with activities, fitness clubs and dining facilities.