Understanding the services, amenities, and lifestyle of senior living communities can seem complex, especially in states with distinct laws and regulations governing assisted living. In states like Texas, defining features, such as the size of an assisted living community, the number of residents it serves, and the care services it provides, determine which type of license is granted to a community. This license also regulates the care services that can be offered to assisted living residents and is outlined as a Type A or Type B option.

With this structure, finding the right community with the right availability can be challenging for those new to the senior living world. To help you understand assisted living better and the key differences between Type A and Type B communities, we’ve put together the following guidance. Read on to learn more about selecting the right type of residence for yourself or a senior loved one.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted Living is a senior living option that offers the best of both worlds: a community setting that supports independence, while connecting residents to supportive services. With a maintenance-free lifestyle similar to an independent living community, assisted living communities support the health and independence of older adults as they age.

They offer a wealth of services and amenities, an engaging community environment, safety and security, and numerous opportunities for social connection. Assisted living communities also provide supportive care to assist individuals with their daily routines, medication management, and changing needs.

Every assisted living facility has its own unique culture and community of residents, comprising a diverse range of ages, abilities, and backgrounds. However, the average assisted living resident is generally an older adult who could use assistance with a few routine tasks related to activities of daily living (ADLs), such as getting dressed, taking a shower, or managing their medication.

It’s common for people to think of assisted living as a general term that encompasses a wide range of senior living options. Instead, think of the world of senior living as a continuum. At one end of the continuum are options for an independent, active lifestyle, while the other end features more supportive, specialized care. Assisted living offers a balance of both independent living and support.

To better understand assisted living, we’ve provided the example below. With four of the most common residential senior living options aligned, assisted living falls somewhere in the middle.

Independent Living … Assisted Living … Memory Care … Skilled Nursing Care

Who Can Benefit from Assisted Living?

Older adults experiencing varying levels of independence can all benefit from assisted living. Some residents may prefer to continue driving, working part-time, or volunteering, while others may prefer a relaxing daily routine that allows them to be as active as they wish. Older adults considering assisted living typically seek a lifestyle that provides relief from burdensome home responsibilities, assistance with personal care needs, and meaningful connection with others.

From a caregiver’s perspective, assisted living offers much of the support that they provide regularly, offering substantial peace of mind and a reprieve from care responsibilities. Tasks such as grocery shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, transportation, safety checks, home maintenance, medication reminders and refills, and daily care can be managed by community staff in an assisted living setting.

Types of Assisted Living

In states like Texas, prospective residents will find assisted living offerings primarily defined as Type A or Type B options. This distinction refers to the licensure required for an assisted living community to provide supportive care to its residents. A community may be licensed as either a Type A or Type B facility or operate as both a Type A and Type B facility. If the community is licensed for both Type A and Type B, it may offer only a select number of apartments or residences within the scope of each license. Let’s review how this model works and examine the differences between the two options.

Type A

A Type A assisted living license enables a community to provide care and support for residents who can move around with some level of independence. A resident may require the use of an assistive device (such as a walker, wheelchair, or motor scooter) but must still be able to move around independently. Additionally, to be considered a Type A resident, the individual must be able to respond appropriately in an emergency.

• Type A residents can walk independently or use an assistive device (such as a walker, wheelchair, or motor scooter) without requiring support from a staff member.
• Type A residents do not require supportive care or assistance during the overnight hours.
• Type A residents can evacuate from the community in an emergency without requiring assistance for transferring and leaving the building. To comply with state regulations for Type A assisted living, residents would be expected to demonstrate they can fully evacuate a community in 13 minutes or less without continuous staff assistance.
  • For example, a resident should be able to get out of bed, transfer to a wheelchair, and navigate to the building exit safely without requiring assistance from community staff to complete the process successfully.
• Type A residents can receive and follow directions independently in the event of an emergency or evacuation. Residents should be familiar with and understand the evacuation plan, navigate the building with confidence, and follow staff instructions to ensure their safety.

Type B

A Type B assisted living license enables the community to provide care and support to residents who may require additional assistance from staff. This may include assistance with mobility, using the restroom, transferring, overnight care, and safely navigating the community.

• Type B residents may require assistance from a staff member to transfer in and out of a wheelchair.
• Type B residents may require supportive care or assistance during the overnight hours.
• Type B residents would need assistance from a staff member to evacuate from the community safely in an emergency. For example, a resident would require assistance from a staff member to transfer out of bed and into their wheelchair and would also need an escort to leave the building safely.

• Type B residents would need assistance with following directions in the event of an emergency or evacuation. Residents may not be aware of or understand an evacuation plan and would not be able to safely exit the building without direct support from a staff member.
• Type B residents often have varying levels of independence and may experience cognitive decline. In Texas, a Type B assisted living residence can also provide supportive memory care for older adults with memory loss or dementia.

Type A vs. Type B Communities

In a community with Type A assisted living, residents are relatively independent and can manage their daily routine with minimal support. Should they need assistance with tasks such as personal care, showering, dressing, or managing their medication, a Type A option will provide access to these services. However, residents of a Type A community are aware of their routine and can self-direct their day without assistance from a staff member. They are also able to manage the day’s transitions successfully.

In a community with Type B assisted living, residents may rely on staff assistance to successfully manage the transitions of their day, from morning hours to midday, to the evening, and overnight. Residents in a Type B community often require a higher level of care, assistance, and support compared to those in a Type A community, which primarily focuses on assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). They may also require memory care and support for managing cognitive decline or dementia.

A Type B option typically offers the coverage of additional caregiving staff, enhanced security to prevent wandering, and specialized support for increasing healthcare needs.

This can include reminders and cues for a resident’s daily routine, assistance with using the restroom, escorts to and from meals and activities, or redirection for moments of transition.

Selecting Type A or Type B Assisted Living

Before spending valuable time trying to differentiate the nuances of Type A and Type B assisted living options, consider consulting a senior care counselor, who can provide detailed guidance. This step can minimize the stress of selecting a community and help determine whether a Type A or Type B option is best for you or your loved one.

Our Cardinal Bay team is well-versed in the multitude of senior living options and services available, providing trusted expertise to seniors and caregivers seeking independent living, assisted living, and memory care in the Central Texas and Oklahoma areas. We're happy to be a resource to you as you begin your search.

We invite you to visit our communities and experience firsthand the difference that a relationship-centered home environment can make in your life or the life of a senior loved one. Schedule a tour today or follow our blog for more articles on exploring, understanding, and affording assisted living.