The differences between the two levels of care is broken down into three categories: Concept – Assisted living residences permit residents to age in place, meaning that even as their health care needs increase, they will not have to relocate to another senior living home to receive that care, such as skilled nursing. Construction – Assisted living residences must provide residents a private room with a lockable door, a private bathroom and small kitchen. Personal care homes are not required to offer these amenities. Level of Care – Assisted living residences must ensure that residents receive skilled nursing care if their needs surpass standard assisted living services. United Kingdom Assisted living is known as extra-care housing or retirement living which allows residents over the age of 55 or 60 to live independently. They are offered a self-contained flat or bungalow and have staff that are available to them 24 hours a day to provide personal care. Staff help with washing, dressing residents, taking medication and they do domestic duties such as shopping and laundry for them, they also prepare and serve meals to residents if provided. Residents are often asked whether to own or rent their properties independently, the average cost ranges from £500 to £1,500 depending on where the resident lives. Assisted living accommodations would often include a scheme manager or a team of support staff, nurses and care staff onsite, 24-hour emergency alarm systems, communal lounges to socialise with other residents. Assisted living housing is regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). See also Aging in place Eldercare Food preferences in older adults and seniors Retirement home Group home Retirement community Transgenerational design Assistive technology References General references Lockhart, C. 2009. Commentary: Is assisted living in the United States well served by regulations requiring the reporting of detailed operational data that are then posted on the Internet? Journal of Aging and Social Policy, 21, 243–245. Mar tin, A. 2010 March/April. 2010 largest AL providers. Assisted Living Executive, 10 - 19. Starr, P. 1982. The Social Transformation of American Medicine. New York: Basic Books. Caregiving Housing for the elderly Geriatrics Accessibility Community nursing