Glossary
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.
It is usually billed by the day in a furnished room and is a low-risk way to try a community before a permanent move.
Related terms
Assisted living
Assisted living is a licensed residential setting where older adults live in their own apartment or room and receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meals and medications, without the medical supervision of a nursing home.
Community fee
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.
Definitions reviewed September 5, 2026. Rules vary by state and change over time; confirm specifics with the community and the licensing agency.