Why this matters
Assisted living provides meals, medication administration, and personal care with less supervision than memory care.
Warning signs
- Isolation and declining nutrition at home
- Needs help with several daily activities
- No wandering or exit-seeking behavior
- Can participate in a community setting
What families can do
- Tour at different times of day, including evenings
- Ask about staff-to-resident ratios and dementia training
- Ask what triggers a required move to a higher level of care
- Review the contract and full cost structure in writing
When to get help
- Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman can answer resident-rights questions
- Ask the clinician for a functional assessment to support level-of-care decisions
Medically reviewed. Last reviewed August 2026. This page is educational information, not individualized medical advice.