Assisted living communities are licensed by the California Department of Social Services. Their function is to provide an apartment-like atmosphere for elderly persons in need of care. Residents are provided with centralized dining services, shared support such as transportation, medication monitoring, social and recreational programs, housekeeping, and assistance with their activities of daily living - such as eating, bathing, getting in and out of bed, and using the restroom.

Assisted living communities are staffed 24-hours a day to assist residents as needed. The level of care can very from individual to individual. Assisted living facilities range in size from 30 to 300 residents.