Glossary
Community fee
Also called: Move-in fee, Entrance fee (assisted living)
A community fee is a one-time, usually non-refundable charge paid at move-in to an assisted living or memory care community, often equal to a portion of one month’s rent.
It is different from a CCRC entrance fee, which can be six figures and partly refundable. Ask whether the community fee is negotiable and whether it is waived for respite stays.
Related terms
Base rent
Base rent is the monthly charge for the room, meals and standard services in a senior living community, before any care fees are added.
Continuing care retirement community (CCRC)
A continuing care retirement community offers independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing on one campus under a long-term contract, so residents can move between levels of care without leaving.
Respite care
Respite care is a short-term stay in a senior living community, typically days to a few weeks, that gives a family caregiver a break or bridges recovery after a hospital stay.
Definitions reviewed September 5, 2026. Rules vary by state and change over time; confirm specifics with the community and the licensing agency.