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Assisted Living usually refers to a facility that is used by people who are not able to live on their own, but do not need the level of care that a nursing home offers.
People who live in assisted living facilities usually have their own private apartment. There is usually no special medical monitoring equipment, nor full time nursing staff, that you would find in a nursing home. The private apartment generally are self contained; ie; having their own small kitchen, living area, and bedroom. However, there is a central social area and a central kitchen and dining area.
An example of the type of people living in an assisted living facility would be an elderly person or couple who, although not needing the intensive care of a nursing home, would still need some companionship and/or assistance in day to day living.
For example, someone who lives at an assisted living facility would not have to be concerned with having to prepare meals every day because there is a central kitchen and dining facility that they can take advantage of. The central dining facility also allows for visiting with others without having to leave home. This greatly reduces the isolation that elderly and disabled people suffer when living alone and who are afraid (usually for physical reasons) to leave their homes.
Facilities are designed with an emphasis on ease of use by disabled people. Bathrooms and kitchens are designed with wheelchairs and walkers in mind. Hallways and doors are extra-wide to accommodate wheelchairs. These facilities are by necessity fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or similar legislation elsewhere.
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