What Assisted Living Is

Assisted living (sometimes known more generally as residential care) is state-regulated residential long-term care that provides meals, around-the-clock supervision, and help with personal care, but is not licensed as a nursing home. In the U.S., assisted living is the largest provider of residential long-term care (excluding post-hospital rehabilitation), and the largest provider of residential care for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. In 2020, almost 820,000 older adults resided in more than 30,000 assisted living communities across the country.

What CEAL@UNC Is

The original Center for Excellence in Assisted Living (CEAL) was formed as a result of the first recommendation in the landmark Assisted Living Workgroup report, delivered to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging in 2003. For 20 years, CEAL thrived as a unique collaborative of diverse national organizations that work closely together to promote excellence in assisted living. 

In 2023, CEAL became CEAL@UNC, which maintains this national collaborative and goal. CEAL@UNC has expanded capacity to develop evidence, bolster the workforce, and promote the adoption of evidence-based practices and policies, all toward advancing the well-being of the people who live and work in assisted living.