Compare Senior Care Types
Compare the six main types of senior care side by side — in-home care, adult day, assisted living, independent living, memory care, and nursing homes — by cost, who they suit, independence, level of medical care, and regulatory oversight.
| Care Type | Typical Cost | Who It's For | Independence | Medical Care | Oversight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Home Care | ≈$35/hr (2025 CareScout median) | Seniors who want to stay at home | High | Limited | Varies by state |
| Adult Day Care | ≈$95/day (2025 CareScout median) | Seniors needing daytime supervision and social activities | High | Some (health monitoring) | Licensed |
| Assisted Living | ≈$6,200/mo (2025 CareScout median) | Seniors needing daily assistance | Medium | Some | Licensed |
| Independent Living | No national median — compare by city | Older adults who want private housing and community without daily personal care | High | None — housing and community, not daily medical care | Varies by state |
| Memory Care | Varies (typically above AL; AL ≈$6,200/mo, 2025 CareScout) | Seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's | Low | Specialized | Licensed |
| Nursing Home | ≈$10,798/mo (private, 2025 CareScout) | Seniors needing 24/7 skilled nursing | Low | Full | Heavily regulated |
Who It's For: Seniors who want to stay at home
Who It's For: Seniors needing daytime supervision and social activities
Who It's For: Seniors needing daily assistance
Who It's For: Older adults who want private housing and community without daily personal care
Who It's For: Seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's
Who It's For: Seniors needing 24/7 skilled nursing
How we research and verify this information
Our team compiles this listing from public records and provider data, and reviews it against authoritative sources. Read our editorial standards and research methodology.
- Cost of Care Survey (2025)Publisher: CareScout. Supports: General senior-care planning information.. Last checked: 2026-08-15.
- Skilled nursing facility coveragePublisher: Medicare.gov. Supports: General senior-care planning information.. Last checked: 2026-08-15.
- Medicaid coverage and eligibilityPublisher: Medicaid.gov. Supports: General senior-care planning information.. Last checked: 2026-07-10.
- Long-term-care guidance for familiesPublisher: National Institute on Aging. Supports: General senior-care planning information.. Last checked: 2026-07-10.
- VA pension rates (Aid & Attendance)Publisher: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Supports: General senior-care planning information.. Last checked: 2026-08-15.