Adult Day Care is defined as social and health-related services that are provided during the day in a community or group setting to six or more people. The purpose of the adult day care setting is to support people with physical or cognitive disorders, or the elderly who can benefit from being outside the home.

Adult Day Care Center is defined as a facility that is licensed to provide Adult Day Care by the state in which the services are provided. In states where licensing is not required, an Adult Day Care Center is a facility that provides Adult Day Care services, has a full-time staff to maintain an 8 to 1 client-staff ratio or lower, and has written procedures for obtaining aid in the event of a medical emergency with one of their clients. An Adult Day Care Center is a place that provides Adult Day Care for only part of a day and in most all places no overnight stays .

Assisted Living Facility is defined as a facility which:

•  is licensed to provide Custodial Care according to the laws of state which it is located in
• 10 or more people must live there and receive at least custodial care
• in states where licensing is not required, it must meet all of the following to be considered an assisted living facility
• has a 24-hour on-site staff including an nurse to provide Custodial Care and skilled if necessary
• it provides Custodial Care services for a fee, including room and board
• has written procedures for obtaining required aid in the event of a medical emergency
• provides 3 meals a day and can accommodate special dietary needs for people with conditions such as diabetes
• it must provide, at least, assistance with Bathing and Dressing