Glossary
Hospice waiver
A hospice waiver is the state approval that allows a California RCFE to retain a resident receiving hospice care, whose needs would otherwise exceed what the license permits.
Without it, a resident who enters hospice may have to move at the hardest possible time. It is one of the most important yes-or-no questions on a tour.
Related terms
Hospice care
Hospice care is comfort-focused care for a person with a terminal diagnosis, delivered by a hospice agency wherever the person lives, including an assisted living community.
RCFE
RCFE stands for Residential Care Facility for the Elderly, the California license category that covers assisted living, memory care and board and care homes for residents aged 60 and over.
Definitions reviewed September 5, 2026. Rules vary by state and change over time; confirm specifics with the community and the licensing agency.