The Top Assisted Living Facility Providers in the U.S.

As we age, we may need more help in our daily lives than before. Today, there are several options for getting the help and long-term care we need, including facility, home, or community-based care services.

Today, we'll focus on assisted living, one of the most popular long-term care facility options for seniors. More specifically, we'll discuss the country's largest providers of assisted living.

It's worth noting that this is not a comprehensive list of every assisted living facility provider. There are thousands of smaller assisted living companies around the U.S. Today's goal is to give you a sense of the most widespread providers so you can choose the one that works best for you or your loved one.

If you're looking to find care directly in your or your loved one's area, you can use LTC News's Care Directory tool to compare high-quality long-term care options. Our directory has thousands of care facilities around the U.S., making it easy to find an option that works best for you or your loved one. 

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What Are Assisted Living Facilities?

Assisted living facilities are residential care communities for seniors. There are many benefits to choosing an assisted living facility.

These facilities work well for older adults who need some help with activities of daily living but do not need a nursing facility level of care. They also work well for seniors who don't need long-term care, offering benefits like:

• Social interaction and community. Assisted living facilities encourage community participation by offering social activities, events, and outings. For those who feel isolated or lonely at home, the social environment in an assisted living facility can significantly improve their quality of life.

• Safety and security. Assisted living facilities provide a safe and secure environment, which can be particularly appealing to older adults who live alone. Having staff available around the clock offers peace of mind to residents and their families.

• Ease of daily life. Any older adult might appreciate assistance with tasks such as housekeeping, meal preparation, medication management, and personal care. Living in an assisted living facility also means no longer worrying about home maintenance, yard work, or repairs. This support relieves older adults of the burdens of chores and physically demanding repairs or housework.

• Independent spouses/partners. Couples can live together within an assisted living community, even if one of the spouses needs care and the other doesn't. Independent spouses can enjoy community activities, dining rooms, and other services while remaining close to their loved one.

Assisted living facilities provide seniors with a welcoming, comfortable environment where they can get the care they need and the social benefits of living in a senior-oriented community. 

The national median base cost of assisted living facilities in 2024 is $4,509/month. Costs can vary and increase based on the level of care needed or the amenities requested.

Many seniors utilize Long-Term Care Insurance to cover the cost of their stay at an assisted living facility. Other insurance, like traditional health insurance or Medicare, do not cover assisted living costs.

Programs like Medicaid may cover associated assisted living costs through their waiver program. However, coverage for assisted living is not guaranteed and is not always easily accessible, depending on the state you live in. Using Medicaid also puts you at risk of estate recovery to repay the cost of your care.

Overall, assisted living is ideal for those looking for a safe place to make the most of their golden years. Below, we've created a list of some of the largest assisted living providers across the U.S. to help you find the best provider for you or your loved one.

1. Atria Senior Living

We start our list with Atria Senior Living. Founded in 1996, Atria Senior Living is well known for providing an exceptional assisted living environment. Today, they operate over 300 communities across the U.S. and Canada.  

In 2021, Atria Senior Living’s parent company, Atria Management Company, acquired Holiday Retirement. Now known as Holiday by Atria, their reach has spread to even more locations nationwide. 

Atria Senior Living offers several long-term care services and amenities to their residents, including:  

• Private apartments.

• High-quality meal services, including dietary accommodations.

• Daily events, social opportunities, and activities.

• Recreational amenities such as golf courses, pools, fitness centers, spas, movie theaters, and gardens.

• 24-hour access to staff.

• Medication management and assistance.

• Help with activities of daily living.

• Transportation and coordination with outside health providers and appointments.

• Housekeeping and help with chores. 

• Emergency alert system.

2. Pacifica Senior Living

Pacifica Senior Living is a large assisted living provider headquartered in San Diego, California. They have almost 100 communities and annually help thousands of seniors. 

Pacifica's assisted living program stands out from others because of its emphasis on personalized and holistic living. Pacifica's staff members work with residents and their families to create a holistic care plan based on needs and preferences.  

They'll match you or your loved one with the right long-term care services and ensure the assisted living community satisfies your or your loved one's likes, dislikes, hobbies, and lifestyle preferences.

Pacifica Senior Living also offers a wide range of services and amenities, including: 

• Safe exercise classes and opportunities.

• Group trips to nearby attractions.

• Arts, crafts, and musical events and workshops.

• Board games and movie screenings.

• Three nutritious meals throughout the day. 

• Housekeeping services on a weekly basis.

• 24/7 access to on-site medical care and emergency response systems.

• Multiple floor plan options. 

3. MorningStar Senior Living

MorningStar Senior Living is a compassionate assisted living provider founded in 2003. They are headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and operate over 40 communities across the United States.

MorningStar is known for providing a safe space for seniors to live, with an emphasis on Judeo-Christian values. They offer several long-term care services and amenities geared towards enhancing the quality of life for residents.

Services and amenities fall into three main categories:

• Life enrichment. These services focus on seniors holistically, offering activities to help seniors express themselves creatively, physically, emotionally, and socially.

• Dining services. Food is a huge part of our lives, and getting the meals we love and need can be increasingly difficult as we age. At MorningStar, chefs prepare meals from scratch, with daily and weekly specials. Chefs can also alter meals depending on residents' dietary needs and preferences so everyone can get the highest-quality food possible. 

• Clinical services. MorningStar offers various levels of care to accommodate seniors with all sorts of long-term care needs. They also offer on-site therapeutic services, as well as short-term respite care stays.

4. Genesis HealthCare

Genesis Healthcare is a large long-term care provider with over 250 skilled nursing facilities and long-term care communities in 22 states. Genesis HealthCare was founded in 2003 as a reorganization of the larger Genesis Health Ventures. The goal was to create more of a focus on senior care. 

Today, Genesis HealthCare operates many assisted living facilities, providing care to thousands of people yearly. Some services and amenities offered at these sites include:

• Emergency alert systems.

• Three nutritious meals every day. 

• Housekeeping services.

• On-site occupational, speech, and physical therapy. 

• Free transportation to medical appointments. 

• Group excursions. 

• Access to recreational activities and facilities. 

• Versatile floor plan options, including studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms.

• Flexible month-to-month leases.

5. Five Star Senior Living

They say they don't call themselves "five-star" for nothing. Five-Star Senior Living cares most about its resident's comfort and quality of life. They offer senior living communities in 28 states, including assisted living facilities. 

At Five Star Senior Living, you can expect 24/7 access to care, security, help with activities of daily living, meal services, community and recreation events, and access to state-of-the-art amenities. But Five Star Senior Living also offers some unique programs, amenities, and services:

• Restaurant-style dining. This program offers nutritious meal services with the option to alter them to fit dietary needs or preferences. 

• Wellness programs. These programs encourage overall health and may involve various types of therapy. 

• Lifestyle360. This is a holistic activities program that considers residents' social, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. Activities include yoga, guided meditation, educational events, activity clubs, gatherings, volunteer opportunities, and more. 

• Pet-friendly living. Communities offer spacious units, green spaces, and accessible walking paths. 

6. Senior Lifestyle

Senior Lifestyle is a well-established assisted living provider committed to quality care since 1985. They started with a thriving lakefront community in Chicago and have since expanded to several locations in 27 states across the country. 

They offer a plethora of services and amenities within their assisted living communities, including:

• Personal care services, including help with daily activities.

• Daily health check-ins.

• Medication management.

• Daily nutritious dining.

• Housekeeping and laundry to create a burden-free lifestyle.

• Transportation to and from appointments. 

• Inclusive events to encourage social connections. 

• Art and education classes. 

• Creative writing and book clubs.

• Exercise clubs and events for all skill levels, including yoga, tai chi, walking, and water aerobics.

• Social happy hours, outings, and events. 

• Pet-friendly environment. 

7. Brookdale Senior Living

Brookdale Senior Living is a clear leader for long-term care, with possibly the most senior living communities of any other senior care provider. Brookdale has over 640 senior living communities, including assisted living facilities, and serves over 59,000 residents across 41 states. 

Brookdale Senior Living was founded in 1978 in Brentwood, Tennessee. Several sources recognize them as one of the best assisted living providers in the country in 2024. What helps them stand out is their nationwide reach, but also their amenities and services:

• The choice between large or small communities.

• Safety and security measures like daily check-ins, emergency alert systems, and keypad entry.

• Community-wide wifi access.

• Pet-friendly apartments. 

• On-site general store, spas, beauty salons, and therapies.

• Transportation services.

• Social and relaxation spaces, including gardens, bar, sunrooms, and patios.

• Recreational facilities like pools, gyms, game rooms, arts and crafts studios, and libraries. 

• Choice-driven dining, including a cafe, community kitchen, and private dining spaces. 

8. Discovery Senior Living

Discovery Senior Living is among the country's top five biggest senior living community providers, including assisted living. They have been providing senior care for nearly three decades, with more than 15,000 senior living units.

They have over 200 communities across 36 states and work hard to provide exceptional quality of life, services, and amenities to all their residents. However, Discovery Senior Living also cares a lot about its 13,000 team members and is ranked as a great place to work. 

Discovery Senior Living is confident in its senior living communities, even offering a 100% satisfaction guarantee for residents who aren't satisfied with their community. Part of why Discovery Senior Living is so confident in its communities has a lot to do with its services and amenities:

• A holistic, personal plan of care.

• Access to clubhouse activities, events, and amenities.

• Variety of apartment home options to choose from. 

• An exciting activity and event calendar. 

• Gourmet dining, three times a day.

• Housekeeping, including laundry services.

• 24/7 access to care.

• Medical director and therapeutic services on-site.

• Transportation services.

• Various wellness programs and partnerships. 

9. Watermark Retirement Communities

Watermark Retirement Communities was started in 1985 with the intention of giving seniors more comfort and control over their lives, regardless of their care needs. Watermark’s biggest values are safety, freedom, and beauty, based on the belief that joy is derived from being in a comfortable, predictable, and customizable environment. 

Watermark Retirement Communities currently operates 60 communities across 18 states. Their assisted living facilities go above and beyond, offering several amenities and services like:

• 24/7 access to care services.

• Arts and crafts studios.

• Community-wide wifi.

• Outdoor areas like gardens.

• On-site occupational therapy.

• Various dining options, including gourmet meals, room service,  and private dining.

• Movie theater and event rooms. 

• Pet-friendly environment.

• Housekeeping, chores, maintenance, and a personal shopper.

• Wellness center and recreational activity programs and events. 

In addition to the standard amenities and services, Watermark Retirement Communities offers a program called Watermark University. This educational program allows residents to learn about new subjects and take classes from renowned experts. 

10. Frontier Senior Living

Last but certainly not least is Frontier Senior Living. The company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and provides care at 100 locations across 19 states. 

Frontier Senior Living offers three facility living options: independent living, memory care, and assisted living. Within their assisted living facilities, they offer various amenities and services such as help with activities of daily living, medication management, access to recreational facilities and events, chores, and housekeeping services, and opportunities to connect with other seniors. 

Frontier Senior Living is best known for the Spark program, which focuses on helping seniors feel more engaged and connected to their communities. This program encourages seniors to pursue productive hobbies and set goals, helping them learn new skills, improve memory, and find a sense of purpose in helping their community. 

Popular Spark programs include:

• Welcome committee. This program focuses on connecting seniors with their neighbors and new residents.

• Culinary committee. This program brings chefs of all experience levels together to learn about and make food.

• Beer crafting. This program guides and teaches residents how to make beer from scratch.

• Gardening. This program focuses on teaching seniors how to plant, maintain, and harvest plants, including flowers, vegetables, and herbs. 

• Miscellaneous opportunities. These opportunities include volunteering, yoga classes, and nature walks.  

Home Care Resource: Amada Senior Care

At LTC News, we understand that our readers are looking for the best care options for themselves or their loved ones. And while assisted living facilities are fantastic for some people, others may prefer to receive care at home.

We are proud to partner with Amada Senior Care, a trusted home care provider for more than 100,000 people nationwide. 

Amada Senior Care is an expert at providing non-medical, custodial care to seniors from the comfort of their homes. With over 150 locations, countless home care services, and a specialized staff, Amada Senior Care is the best in the game for home care.

You can find a home caregiver using Amada's home care finder tool or through the LTC News Long-Term Care Directory.

Choosing the Best Assisted Living Provider 

Assisted living facilities are a fantastic way to receive personalized long-term care services. Although this isn't a comprehensive list, we hope it helps you narrow your search for an assisted living provider that works best for you or your loved one.  

If you're looking for a general overview of long-term care providers in your area, you can also use LTC News's Care Directory. Our care comparison tool gives you access to thousands of highly-rated long-term care providers near you or your loved one. 

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Care Directory

Comprehensive caregiving & care facility listings in your area

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In addition, LTC News also offers various caregiving resources to guide you as you continue your long-term care journey:  

• Assisted Living Facilities vs. Nursing Homes: What's The Difference? –  Assisted living facilities and nursing homes differ mostly based on the level of care they provide to residents. In this article, you can learn more about which facility might work best for you or your loved one.  

• The Long-Term Care Spectrum: From Independent Living to Skilled Nursing – This article explores the wide variety of long-term care options available, including adult day care centers, home care, independent living, assisted living, and nursing homes.