20 Best Senior Assisted Living Facilities Near Me Budget Seniors, February 17, 2026February 17, 2026 🌿🏢 Official Assisted Living Cost & Care Assessor Based on recent CDC and federal data. Calculate estimated out-of-pocket costs and locate state-licensed communities near you. The Federal Data Reality Check: The $5,900 National Median: According to the latest Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the national median cost of Assisted Living jumped 10% to $5,900 per month (roughly $70,800 a year). The Medicare Exclusion: Per Medicare.gov, Medicare pays $0 for room, board, and “custodial care” (help with bathing/dressing) in an assisted living facility. Families must pay out-of-pocket or use Long-Term Care Insurance. The CDC ADL Statistic: Many seniors underestimate their needs. CDC data shows 75% of assisted living residents require help with bathing, and 62% need help with three or more Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). Estimate Your Base Rent & Care Tier Your Location’s Cost of Living: Low Cost State (e.g., MS, AL, AR, MO) National Average High Cost State (e.g., CA, MA, NJ, WA) How many “ADLs” (Bathing, Dressing, Toileting, Eating, Transferring) do they need help with? 0 ADLs: Independent, just needs meals & medication reminders. 1-2 ADLs: Needs minor assistance (e.g., standby help bathing). 3+ ADLs: Needs heavy physical assistance (CDC Average). Memory Care: Needs secure dementia supervision. Calculate Estimated Monthly Cost Estimated Monthly Rent + Care: $0 / month — 📍 Find Assisted Living Communities Locating nearby communities… Pricing Tip: Most facilities use “A La Carte” or “Level of Care” pricing. The base rent gets you the apartment and meals, but you are charged an extra $500 to $2,000+ per month based on how much physical help (ADLs) your loved one requires. Key Takeaways 💡 How much does assisted living actually cost right now? The estimated median cost is $6,313 per month, or $75,756 per year, as of February 2026 — and that’s before add-on care charges pile up. Will Medicare pay for my parent’s assisted living? No. Original Medicare does not cover the costs of assisted living since it isn’t considered medically necessary. How bad is the staffing crisis really? The average base salary for home health and personal care aides is $16.82 per hour — barely more than fast food workers at $15.07 per hour, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Were minimum staffing rules just eliminated? Yes. In December 2025, CMS published an interim final rule removing the requirement for 24/7 registered nurse coverage and minimum staffing hours per resident day, effectively gutting federal protections. Which states have the best-rated assisted living? Mississippi surprisingly secured the number one spot for nursing home quality with 83.25% of facilities rated five stars, outperforming wealthier states by wide margins. How many cases of abuse go unreported? Researchers estimate that there are 23.5 unreported cases of elder abuse for every single reported and documented case. 🏆 1. Brookdale Senior Living — The Giant With 675+ Communities and More “Best” Awards Than Any Competitor Brookdale is the single largest assisted living operator in the United States, which makes it both a convenient option and one that demands extra scrutiny from families. Brookdale received 116 “Best” community recognitions in the 2025 U.S. News ratings, more than any other single operator. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 Headquarters111 Westwood Place, Brentwood, TN 37027📞 Phone(615) 221-2250🌐 Locations675+ communities in 41 states🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing💰 Cost Range$3,500–$7,000+/month depending on location and care level 💡 Pro Tip: With mega-operators like Brookdale, quality varies wildly from one building to the next. A five-star Brookdale in Scottsdale operates nothing like a struggling Brookdale in a rural market. Always evaluate the individual community, never the corporate brand. ☀️ 2. Sunrise Senior Living — The Operator That Gained 14 New “Best” Ratings in a Single Year Sunrise topped its 2024 “Best” total by 14 communities in the 2025 rankings, signaling aggressive quality improvement across its portfolio. They operate a distinctive neighborhood-based model where residents live in smaller clusters rather than institutional hallways. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 HeadquartersCharlotte, NC📞 Phone(888) 434-4648🌐 Locations240+ communities in U.S., Canada, U.K.🏥 Care LevelsAssisted Living, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing⭐ NotableNeighborhood-based design model 🌟 3. Atria Senior Living — 83 “Best” Recognitions and a Reputation for Luxury at Mid-Range Prices Atria earned 83 “Best” community recognitions in the 2025 U.S. News ratings, making it one of the most consistently well-reviewed operators nationwide. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 HeadquartersLouisville, KY📞 Phone(502) 719-2468🌐 Locations200+ communities in U.S. and Canada🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Memory Care, Supportive Living 🌿 4. Brightview Senior Living — 93% of Their Communities Rated “Best” Because They Treat Staff Like Humans Here’s the stat that matters: an impressive 93 percent of Brightview communities achieved the U.S. News “Best” distinction in 2025. Their secret? Brightview’s president attributed the recognition to a focus on maintaining happy, engaged associates — which in turn creates happy, engaged residents. They’re also the only senior living company on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 HeadquartersBaltimore, MD📞 Phone(410) 962-6800🌐 Locations47 communities across 8 East Coast states🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Enhanced Care, Memory Care (Wellspring Village)🏆 AwardsFortune 100 Best Companies to Work For (2025) 💡 Pro Tip: When a senior living company treats its workers well, residents benefit directly. Ask every community: “What’s your average caregiver tenure?” At top communities, caregivers stay 3+ years. At troubled ones, they barely last 3 months. 🌊 5. Five Star Senior Living — 67 “Best” Recognitions and Growing Fast Five Star earned 67 “Best” community recognitions in 2025, placing it firmly among the top national operators. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 HeadquartersNewton, MA📞 Phone(617) 796-8387🌐 Locations250+ communities across 30+ states🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing 🏡 6. Americare Senior Living — The Midwest Powerhouse With 65 “Best” Awards Americare received 65 “Best” recognitions in 2025, an impressive count for a company focused primarily on smaller, community-oriented facilities in the Midwest and South. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 HeadquartersSikeston, MO📞 Phone(573) 472-4080🌐 Locations90+ communities across the Midwest and South🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing 🌲 7. Benchmark Senior Living — New England’s Most Decorated Operator With 48 Awards Benchmark earned 48 “Best” community recognitions in 2025, dominating the competitive Northeast market. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 HeadquartersWaltham, MA📞 Phone(781) 489-8800🌐 Locations60+ communities across New England and Northeast🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing 🌻 8. Gardant Management Solutions — 35 “Best” Awards and a Model Built on Smaller, Home-Like Settings Gardant earned 35 “Best” recognitions in 2025, which is remarkable because their communities are typically much smaller and more intimate than the industry giants. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 HeadquartersBolingbrook, IL📞 Phone(630) 271-9895🌐 Locations40+ communities, primarily Illinois🏥 Care LevelsAssisted Living, Memory Care⭐ NotableSmaller, residential-style communities 💡 Pro Tip: Smaller communities (under 50 beds) frequently outperform large facilities in resident satisfaction. The math is simple: fewer residents per caregiver equals more personalized attention. Don’t automatically assume bigger means better. 🏖️ 9. Valle Verde by HumanGood — Santa Barbara, California The number-one-ranked continuing care retirement community in the country for three consecutive years. This nonprofit community operates on 63 acres with a 5-star CMS nursing rating. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 Address900 Calle de los Amigos, Santa Barbara, CA 93105📞 Phone(805) 883-4000💰 Cost Range~$1,980–$8,375/month🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing🐾 PetsPet-friendly campus 🏅 10. Willow Valley Communities — Willow Street, Pennsylvania Ranked number two nationally, Willow Valley’s CEO told Newsweek the company doesn’t design for seniors but rather designs for people, which is one of their key differentiators. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 Address450 Willow Valley Lakes Drive, Willow Street, PA 17584📞 Phone(717) 464-6800🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing🏗️ Campus210 acres⭐ AccreditationType-A Lifecare ⚠️ 11. The Federal Government Just Gutted the Only Staffing Protection Your Parent Had This is the story every family needs to understand right now. In 2024, the Biden administration established minimum staffing requirements for long-term care facilities — the rule required Medicare and Medicaid-certified facilities to maintain 24/7 onsite skilled nursing care and a minimum of 3.47 hours per resident per day of staffing. Then, in December 2025, that protection was eliminated. CMS removed the requirement for nursing homes to have 24/7 onsite registered nurse services and reinstated its prior policy requiring only an RN for at least eight consecutive hours a day. What does this mean in practice? Eighty-one percent of nursing home facilities nationwide and 90 percent of for-profit facilities would have needed to hire additional staff to meet the original standards. Now they won’t have to. ⚖️ What Changed🔴 Before (2024 Rule)🟡 After (Dec 2025 Repeal)Registered Nurse Coverage✅ 24/7 on-site required❌ Only 8 hours/day requiredMinimum Staffing Hours✅ 3.47 hours per resident per day❌ No federal minimumNurse Aide Minimum✅ 2.45 hours per resident per day❌ No federal minimumEnforcement Timeline✅ Phased implementation starting 2026❌ Delayed until at least 2034 💡 Pro Tip: Since federal protections are effectively gone, check whether your state has its own staffing requirements. States like California, Florida, and Massachusetts maintain independent staffing mandates that still apply regardless of federal rollbacks. 💰 12. The Hidden Fee Trap That Adds $1,000+ Per Month to the Price They Quoted You Some assisted living communities offer an all-inclusive fee, while others follow an a la carte pricing model, and still others take a tiered cost approach. Here’s what the sales team conveniently forgets to mention during the tour: 💸 Hidden Fee💰 Typical Monthly Add-On🔍 What They Tell YouMedication Management$300–$800“Included in care plan” (but not base price)Incontinence Care$200–$500Rarely mentioned until move-inEscort/Transfer Assistance$150–$400Bundled as “Level 2” or “Level 3” careMemory Care Surcharge$1,000–$3,000Disclosed, but scope understatedCommunity Fee (one-time)$1,000–$5,000Fine print in contractAnnual Rate Increase3%–8% per year“Subject to annual adjustment”Second Occupant Fee$500–$1,500Only disclosed if you ask 💡 Pro Tip: Before signing, demand a written all-in estimate for your loved one’s specific care needs. Ask: “If my parent needs help with bathing, dressing, medication management, and incontinence care, what is the total monthly cost?” Compare that number — not the base price — across communities. 🚨 13. The Abuse Statistics the Industry Prays You Never Google In 2023, U.S. nursing homes faced 94,499 health citations, and 8.1 percent of those were for abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The NCOA shows the most common form of elder abuse in nursing homes is physical abuse at 29 percent, followed by resident-to-resident abuse at 22 percent, gross neglect at 14 percent, financial abuse at 7 percent, and sexual abuse at 7 percent. And here’s the number that should terrify everyone: the annual losses incurred by older adults who are victims of financial abuse total over $28 billion each year. 🔴 Type of Abuse📊 Percentage🔍 Warning Signs to WatchPhysical Abuse29%Unexplained bruises, fear of specific staffResident-to-Resident22%Scratches, anxiety around other residentsGross Neglect14%Weight loss, bedsores, soiled clothingFinancial Abuse7%Missing belongings, unauthorized chargesSexual Abuse7%Behavioral changes, injuries in private areasOther21%Emotional withdrawal, depression, isolation 💡 Pro Tip: Call the Eldercare Locator helpline at 1-800-677-1116 (Monday–Friday, 9am–8pm Eastern) if you suspect any form of abuse. For financial exploitation, contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311. Every state also has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman who investigates complaints free of charge. 🌴 14. Freedom Pointe at The Villages — The Villages, Florida 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 Address1600 Freedom Pointe Trail, The Villages, FL 32159📞 Phone(352) 674-3950🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing⭐ RankingTop 3 Nationally (Newsweek) 🌊 15. Moorings Park — Naples, Florida 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 Main Campus120 Moorings Park Drive, Naples, FL 34105📞 Phone(239) 643-9111📍 Grey Oaks2591 Rue du Jardin, Naples, FL 34105📞 Grey Oaks(239) 919-1711🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing ❄️ 16. Friendship Village of Bloomington — Bloomington, Minnesota Newsweek named Friendship Village of Bloomington the number one continuing care retirement community in Minnesota and ranked it among the top ten in the nation for three years running. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 Address8100 Highwood Drive, Bloomington, MN 55438📞 Phone(952) 831-7500💰 Starting Cost~$3,000–$5,000/month🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing 🌊 17. The Admiral at the Lake — Chicago, Illinois Founded in 1858, The Admiral is Chicago’s oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to senior living. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 Address929 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60640📞 Concierge (24/7)(773) 433-1800📞 Sales(773) 433-1801💰 Starting Cost~$7,114/month🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing 🌿 18. Landis Homes — Lititz, Pennsylvania A CARF-accredited, nonprofit community on a 114-acre Lancaster County campus. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 Address1001 East Oregon Road, Lititz, PA 17543📞 Main Phone(717) 569-3271📞 Admissions(717) 381-3548📧 Email[email protected]🏥 Care LevelsIndependent (Cottages & Apartments), Personal Care, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing 🏔️ 19. Givens Estates — Asheville, North Carolina A nonprofit Life Plan Community on a breathtaking 215-acre Blue Ridge Mountain campus with 51 floor plans across 8 distinct neighborhoods. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 Address2360 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28803📞 Reception(828) 274-4800📞 Admissions(828) 771-2910🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Home Care🌿 Campus14 acres of managed meadows, on-campus physician and pharmacy 🏠 20. Life Care Services (LCS) — The Behind-the-Scenes Operator Managing 17 Top-Ranked Communities Most families have never heard of LCS, but Life Care Services manages 17 CCRCs that appear in Newsweek’s national rankings — more than almost any other management company. They operate behind the scenes at communities like Freedom Pointe and dozens of others. 🏠 Detail📋 Info📍 HeadquartersDes Moines, IA📞 Phone(515) 875-4500🌐 Managed Communities140+ senior living communities across the U.S.🏥 Care LevelsIndependent, Assisted, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing 💡 Pro Tip: When touring a community, always ask: “Who is the management company?” The building may carry one name, but the company actually running daily operations — hiring staff, setting budgets, making care decisions — is often a separate entity entirely. That’s the company you actually need to research. 🧠 14 Questions the Facility Hopes You Never Ask During Your Tour These are the insider questions that separate informed families from vulnerable ones: Question 1: “What is your current resident-to-caregiver ratio on the night shift?” (Night shift is when staffing drops and incidents spike.) Question 2: “What percentage of your caregiving staff are full-time employees versus agency temps?” (Agency staff don’t know your parent’s routines, medications, or personality.) Question 3: “Can I see your most recent state inspection report right now?” (Every licensed community is inspected. Hesitation is a red flag.) Question 4: “What is your annual staff turnover rate?” Nursing assistants currently turn over at rates of 100 to 300 percent annually at many facilities. Question 5: “How many residents have left in the last 12 months, and why?” (This reveals whether people are leaving voluntarily or being discharged.) Question 6: “If my parent’s condition worsens, at what point would they need to leave this community?” (Some facilities will discharge residents who become “too difficult” — right when families need stability most.) Question 7: “What is your policy on physical restraints and chemical restraints (sedatives used to manage behavior)?” Question 8: “How do you handle fall prevention, and what is your fall rate per resident?” Question 9: “What happens to the monthly fee if my parent needs more care six months from now?” (Get this in writing.) Question 10: “Is there a resident council, and may I speak with current resident family members?” (Communities that block this are hiding something.) Question 11: “Who owns this building — is it a nonprofit, a for-profit chain, or a private equity firm?” Facilities must now disclose whether any owning or managing entities are a private equity company or real estate investment trust under the 2023 CMS ownership transparency rule. Question 12: “What specialized training does your memory care staff receive beyond the state minimum?” Question 13: “Do you accept Medicaid if my parent runs out of private funds?” (Many facilities quietly discharge residents once the private-pay money runs dry.) Question 14: “Can I make an unannounced visit at 8pm on a Saturday?” (The answer should be an enthusiastic yes.) 📊 The True Cost Comparison Nobody Else Publishes in One Table 🏠 Care Type💵 Monthly Median (2024-2026)💵 Annual📈 Yearly Increase🏡 Home Health Aide (8hrs/day, 5 days)~$6,483~$77,792+3%🏢 Assisted Living (National)$5,900–$6,313$70,800–$75,756+8-10% 😱🧠 Memory Care$7,000–$8,500$84,000–$102,000+8-12%🏥 Nursing Home (Semi-Private)$9,277$111,325+7%🏥 Nursing Home (Private Room)$10,646$127,750+9%🏠 24/7 In-Home Care$15,000+$180,000+Varies widely Memory care units nationwide average roughly $7,000 to $8,500 per month, and these costs climb steeply as the disease progresses and your loved one needs increasing levels of supervision. 💡 How to Actually Pay for Assisted Living When Nobody Has $76,000 a Year Lying Around 💰 Funding Method✅ What It Covers❌ Limitations🔍 Insider MoveMedicaid WaiversCare services (not room/board)46 states offer some assistance, but federal rules prohibit room and board paymentsApply 3–6 months early; wait lists are longVA Aid & AttendanceUp to ~$2,431/month for qualifying vets/spousesComplex application processUse a VA-accredited claims agent (never pay upfront)Long-Term Care InsuranceVaries by policyMust purchase years before needing careBuy in your 50s when premiums are lowestLife Insurance ConversionConverts policy to care benefitLose the death benefitCheck for “accelerated death benefit” riderReverse MortgageConverts home equity to monthly incomeReduces inheritance significantlyOnly consider if home is your largest assetSocial SecurityMonthly income supplementUsually not enough to cover the full costCombine with other sources; delay claiming to maximize amountBridge LoansShort-term while selling a homeInterest adds up fastSome communities offer their own bridge programsState Supplemental ProgramsVaries by stateLimited eligibilityContact your Area Agency on Aging 🔍 The Weekend Test That Reveals Everything About a Facility Here’s the single most effective strategy that veteran elder care advocates recommend: visit the community you’re considering on a Saturday evening at 7pm without calling ahead. During a scheduled weekday tour, they roll out their best staff, freshest flowers, and warmest cookies. On a random Saturday evening, you see reality — the actual staffing levels, the real noise levels, whether residents look content or distressed, how long it takes for a call light to get answered, and whether the building smells clean or not. If the community discourages unannounced visits or claims they require advance scheduling for “security reasons,” treat that as a blazing red flag. U.S. News’ surveys asked residents and family members about their satisfaction with community safety, caregiving, activities, management, staff, food, value, and other aspects of community life. You should conduct your own real-world version of that survey — by showing up when they’re not expecting you. Frequently Asked Questions 💬 “What’s the real difference between assisted living and a nursing home?” Assisted living provides help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication reminders in a more home-like setting. Nursing homes provide 24-hour medical care from licensed nurses and are designed for people with complex, continuous health needs. U.S. News analyzed data about staffing, patient outcomes, and health and safety violations at nearly 15,000 nursing facilities — a level of federal oversight that does not exist for assisted living in most states. “My parent has dementia. Is assisted living enough?” It depends on the stage. Early-stage dementia patients often thrive in assisted living with a memory care unit. But as the disease progresses, a secured memory care environment with specialized staff becomes necessary. More than half of people with dementia experience abuse or neglect, making staff quality absolutely critical. “Can a facility kick my parent out?” Yes. This is one of the most traumatic and least-discussed realities. Facilities can discharge residents for non-payment, safety concerns, or when care needs exceed what they’re licensed to provide. Get the discharge policy in writing before move-in. Ask specifically: “Under what circumstances would my parent be asked to leave?” “How do I check a facility’s violation history?” For nursing facilities, use Medicare’s Care Compare tool on medicare.gov. For assisted living, contact your state’s Department of Health or licensing agency — every state maintains inspection records and complaint histories. The GAO found that more than half of states providing Medicaid assisted living services couldn’t even determine the number or nature of critical incidents in their facilities, so dig deeper than surface-level compliance. “Is nonprofit really better than for-profit?” Not automatically, but the data leans that direction. Nonprofit communities reinvest surplus revenue into resident services rather than shareholder returns. Many nonprofits also maintain benevolent care funds that support residents who outlive their finances. A 2023 report found that better-staffed facilities are typically cited for fewer deficiencies or violations of federal regulations, and nonprofits tend to invest more in staffing. “What’s the single most important thing I can do right now?” Start planning today, even if your parent doesn’t need care yet. Get on wait lists at your preferred communities. The U.S. is home to more than 32,000 assisted living communities with almost 1.2 million beds, but the best ones fill up fast. The families who plan ahead have choices. The families who wait until a crisis hits take whatever bed is available — and that’s when mistakes happen. Senior Living