Retirement homes are privately owned rental accommodations for seniors who are able to manage and pay for their own care. Retirement villages and retirement communities, unlike retirement homes, offer separate and autonomous homes for residents. Senior Housing - find independent and assisted living facilities, nursing homes, retirement communities, and other elderly care. Generally, retirement homes are designed for seniors who need minimal to moderate support with their daily living activities. A place in a retirement home can be paid for on a rental basis, like an apartment, or can be bought in perpetuity on the same basis as a condominium. A nursing home, convalescent home, Skilled Nursing Unit, care home or rest home provides a specific type of care for its residents. Retirement homes are also called retirement residences. Assisted living emerged in the 1990s as an eldercare alternative on the continuum of care for seniors for whom Independent living is no longer appropriate but who do not need the 24-hour medical care provided by a nursing home. Assisted living emerged in the 1990s as an eldercare alternative on the continuum of care for seniors for whom Independent living is no longer appropriate but who do not need the 24-hour medical care provided by a nursing home. You have a close network of nearby family, friends, and neighbors. Retirement villages and retirement communities, unlike retirement homes, offer separate and autonomous homes for residents. You have a close network of nearby family, friends, and neighbors. You do not need to provide medical evidence that you need a minimum level of care. Nursing Home residents include the elderly and younger adults with physical or mental disabilities. Each state licensing agency has its own definition of the term it uses to describe assisted living. A retirement home differs from a nursing home primarily in the level of medical care given. Assisted living emerged in the 1990s as an eldercare alternative on the continuum of care for seniors for whom Independent living is no longer appropriate but who do not need the 24-hour medical care provided by a nursing home. Assisted living emerged in the 1990s as an eldercare alternative on the continuum of care for seniors for whom Independent living is no longer appropriate but who do not need the 24-hour medical care provided by a nursing home. More than two-thirds of the states use the licensure term assisted living. Senior Living - info and advice for older adults.