In short
Levels of care for seniors run from no paid help, to help at home, to assisted living, round-the-clock support, memory care, skilled nursing and hospice. The right level is set by the biggest need: hands-on daily care, memory and safety, daily skilled nursing, or a terminal illness. Answer six questions below to see where your parent fits.
Care-level matcher
Which level of care fits right now?
Six questions about your parent this month. Each answer points to the lowest level of care that would cover it. The result is the highest level any answer reaches. Nothing you choose leaves this page.
An original rule-based tool. Each answer maps to the lowest level of care that usually covers that need, using the care definitions from the National Institute on Aging and Medicare. It is not a medical assessment. A doctor, nurse or care manager should confirm the level.
How the levels are defined
^ Levels of care and the need each covers
| Level | Covers | Source definition |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| Help at home | Reminders, meals, errands, housework, some personal care | NIA: home-based care is mostly help with everyday activities |
| Assisted living | Personal care and supervision with staff on site day and night | NIA: for people who need help with daily care, but less than a nursing home provides |
| Memory care | Secured settings and staff trained for dementia | NIA: some facilities offer special programs for dementia |
| Skilled nursing | Daily nursing or therapy by licensed staff | Medicare: skilled nursing facility care |
| Hospice | Comfort care for a terminal illness | Medicare: hospice benefit |
Why the highest answer wins
A parent who can dress alone but wanders at night needs the supervision that wandering calls for, not the help that dressing calls for. That is why the matcher reports the highest level reached rather than an average.
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Questions families ask
What are the levels of care for seniors?
Most care teams describe a ladder: independent living, help at home, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and hospice for end-of-life comfort care. Short-term rehab after a hospital stay sits beside the ladder.
Is this a medical assessment?
No. It is an original rule-based tool to help you prepare. A doctor, nurse or care manager should confirm the level of care.
Why does memory loss score so high?
Wandering or being unsafe alone usually means someone must be nearby at all times, which help a few hours a day can't cover.
Can needs fall between two levels?
Often. Assisted living communities offer different care levels, and home care hours can be added, so ask providers how they handle needs that change.