--- title: Understanding the Different Options for Senior Living description: Understanding the different levels of care in senior living such as independent living, continuing care retirement communities, and assisted living image: https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hubfs/DifferentOptions-1.jpg --- - [Careers](https://collington.kendal.org/about/careers/) - [Giving](https://collington.kendal.org/about/giving/) - [Contact](http://collington.kendal.org/about/contact-us/) - [1.888.257.9468](tel:18882579468) Search [![kendal_collington-crop](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hubfs/New%20Brand/kendal_collington-crop.jpg)](https://collington.kendal.org/) Search - Community Life - [Independent Living](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/independent-living/) - [Lifecare](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/lifecare/) - [Community Overview](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/overview/) - [Gallery & Videos](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/gallery-videos/) - [Wellness](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/wellness-center/) - [Dining](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/dining/) - [Things To Do In Collington](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/local-attractions/) - [Lifelong Learning](https://collington.kendal.org/community-life/lifelong-learning/) - [Resident Stories](https://collington.kendal.org/topic/residentstories/) - Care Services - [Assisted Living](https://collington.kendal.org/care-services/assisted-living-personal-care/) - [Memory Support](https://collington.kendal.org/care-services/memory-support/) - [Short-Stay Respite](https://collington.kendal.org/care-services/short-stay-respite/) - Values - [Mission & Quaker Info](https://collington.kendal.org/values/mission/) - [Welcoming Diversity](https://collington.kendal.org/values/welcoming-diversity/) - [Sustainability](https://collington.kendal.org/values/sustainability/) - Planning - [Plan a Visit](https://collington.kendal.org/plan-a-visit/) - [Campus](https://collington.kendal.org/plan-a-visit/campus/) - [Floor Plans](https://collington.kendal.org/floor-plans/) - [Pricing Information](https://collington.kendal.org/planning/pricing-information/) - [Resources](https://collington.kendal.org/planning/resources/) - News & Events - [News](https://collington.kendal.org/news/) - [Events](https://collington.kendal.org/events/) - [Blog](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog) - About - [Leadership Team](https://collington.kendal.org/about/leadership-team/) - [Board of Directors](https://collington.kendal.org/about/board-of-directors/) - [Careers](https://collington.kendal.org/about/careers/) - [Giving](https://collington.kendal.org/about/giving/) - [FAQ](https://collington.kendal.org/about/faq/) - [Financial Information & Compliance](https://collington.kendal.org/about/financial-information-compliance/) - [Contact](https://collington.kendal.org/about/contact-us/) - [Careers](https://collington.kendal.org/about/careers/) - [Giving](https://collington.kendal.org/about/giving/) - [Contact](http://collington.kendal.org/about/contact-us/) - [1.888.257.9468](tel:18882579468) - [Home](https://collington.kendal.org/) - [Transforming the experience of aging](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog) - Understanding the Different Options for Senior Living # Understanding the Different Options for Senior Living --- - ### Thinking of taking the next steps into Senior Living but not sure what would be the best option? Here is an overview of the different housing options to consider: ![BLONDE_PHOTO_160602_239_7226](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hs-fs/hubfs/BLONDE_PHOTO_160602_239_7226.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=BLONDE_PHOTO_160602_239_7226.jpg) **Independent Living/Retirement Communities** - Own or rent a property in a community just for seniors - Total freedom with access to other seniors, entertainment, and emergency help - Communities may offer services and amenities such as dining, activities, and housekeeping **Continuing Care/Life Plan Retirement Communities** - ![](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hs-fs/hubfs/BLONDE_PHOTO_121011_068_5006-2187846853-O.jpg?width=300&name=BLONDE_PHOTO_121011_068_5006-2187846853-O.jpg)Seniors buy-in for care for the rest of their lives - Includes all levels of care from independent living to skilled nursing care in one location - Seniors can move between levels of care as needed **Assisted Living Communities** - Have someone help with meals, hygiene, toileting, transportation, and entertainment - Receive help with ![BLONDE_PHOTO_160602_078_5128](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hs-fs/hubfs/BLONDE_PHOTO_160602_078_5128.jpg?width=300&height=200&name=BLONDE_PHOTO_160602_078_5128.jpg)medication, dressing, and payingbills as well **Skilled Nursing Communities** - Rehabilitation and 24-hour supervision by a skilled nurse - Admission must be initiated by a person’s physician to recommend “rehab care” or “special care” for significant short-term care needs **Memory Care** - For Seniors who need memory care because of ![BLONDE_PHOTO_121011_002_4508-2187730897-O](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hs-fs/hubfs/BLONDE_PHOTO_121011_002_4508-2187730897-O.jpg?width=300&name=BLONDE_PHOTO_121011_002_4508-2187730897-O.jpg)Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia - Distinct form of long-term skilled nursing that specifically caters to patients with memoryproblems **Hospice Care** - End-of-life support at home or at a special care facility - Care where the goal is to manage symptoms so that a person’s last days may be spent with dignity and quality **Senior Day Care** - Many Senior Living Communities offer a day program that allows for a senior to enjoy activities, social interaction and any needed assistance. - Allows for the senior to have a change of scenery when a loved one is providing care for an elder in the home **         To Read More About Continuing Care Retirement Communities such as Collington: ** [Click Here](https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog/collington-a-kendal-affiliate-a-continuing-care-retirement-community)   Share - - - ![Collington](https://collington.kendal.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2020/05/Collington-Logo-white.png) Together, transforming the experience of aging.® - ![Equal Housing Opportunity](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2724579/Kendal_March2020/Images/eho.png "Equal Housing Opportunity") - ![Handicap Accessible](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2724579/Kendal_March2020/Images/WheelChair.png "Handicap Accessible") - ![Leading Age Member](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2724579/Kendal_March2020/Images/LeadingAgeLogo.png "Leading Age Member") - ![FSA](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2724579/Kendal_March2020/Images/FSA-Alliance-Logo-White-copy.png "FSA") **Collington** 10450 Lottsford Road Mitchellville, Maryland 20721 Sales/Marketing: 1.888.257.9468 General Information: 1.301.560.3601 **[Contact Us](http://collington.kendal.org/about/contact-us/)** **Charitable Giving** Partner with Collington, a Continuing Care Retirement Community and support meaningful initiatives within our community. [Donate Now](https://collington.kendal.org/about/support-us/) © 2026 [The Kendal Corporation](https://www.kendal.org/). All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](https://collington.kendal.org/privacy-policy/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Collington Care Consultant", "url" : "https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog/author/collington-care-consultant" }, "datePublished" : "2018-04-10T12:38:00.000Z", "headline" : "Understanding the Different Options for Senior Living", "image" : [ "https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hubfs/DifferentOptions-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.collington.kendal.org/blog/understanding-the-different-levels-of-care-in-senior-living-", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.collington.kendal.org/hubfs/Collington-Logo.png" }, "name" : "Collington" } } ```