Most people hope they will be able to age-in-place in their homes until they reach the end of their lives. But life has a way of changing those plans. Some people choose to transition from their homes to an independent living community when they can still manage their own apartment and health.

Others choose an assisted living facility (ALF) that can assume responsibility for custodial care such as housekeeping, meals, bathing, dressing, laundry and medication management. Regulated at the state level, ALFs are only able to provide limited health care services often for over 100 residents.

If you or your family member needs around-the-clock care, it may be time to consider moving to a continuous care option like a skilled nursing facility.

But what options do you have when you or your family member has more advanced care needs such as memory care, help with feeding, mobility issues, speech issues or help with oxygen care but not round-the-clock medical care?

The next care option on the health care continuum is assisted living houses, an intermediate level of long-term care.