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Types of senior care in your area

Six categories, and your state's specific licensing approach changes how families should compare them.

Quick answer

Ohio licenses assisted living as a single Residential Care Facility type, separately from nursing homes, and certifies memory care only in the Assisted Living Waiver context.

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Short answer

Ohio licenses assisted living as a single Residential Care Facility type and certifies memory care only for communities serving Assisted Living Waiver residents; nursing homes are licensed separately.

Assisted Living

Help with daily activities in a community licensed by Ohio as a Residential Care Facility (RCF), with meals, housekeeping and medication assistance included.

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Memory Care

Secured, dementia-specific care. Ohio certifies memory care specifically for Residential Care Facilities serving Assisted Living Waiver residents; private-pay units are not certified the same way -- ask what applies.

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Nursing Homes

Skilled nursing facilities licensed by Ohio as nursing homes under a separate rule chapter (OAC 3701-17) from assisted living, providing 24-hour licensed nursing care and short-term rehabilitation.

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In-Home Care

Caregivers and skilled clinicians who come to the home, from a few hours a week to around-the-clock support.

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Independent Living

Age-restricted apartments and campuses with dining, activities and light services, for adults who do not need daily hands-on care.

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Hospice Care

Comfort-focused care for a life-limiting illness, delivered at home, in a facility, or in a dedicated inpatient unit.

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How your state licenses assisted living. Ohio licenses assisted living as a single Residential Care Facility (RCF) type under ORC 3721, with a 120-day skilled-nursing cap. Read the full explanation →
Memory care regulation in your state. Ohio certifies memory care only for Residential Care Facilities serving Assisted Living Waiver residents (OAC 173-39-02.16); private-pay units are not certified the same way. Read the full explanation →

Questions families ask

What license does Ohio require for assisted living, and what law covers it?

Ohio licenses assisted living as a Residential Care Facility (RCF) under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3721, with day-to-day operating rules in Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 3701-16. The Ohio Department of Health issues and inspects the license.

Does Ohio require a separate certification for memory care?

Only in one specific context: Residential Care Facilities serving residents under Ohio's Assisted Living Waiver must be certified for memory care under OAC 173-39-02.16. Private-pay memory care units outside that waiver are not certified the same way.

How does Ohio license nursing homes differently from assisted living?

Nursing homes are licensed under a separate administrative rule chapter, OAC 3701-17, distinct from OAC 3701-16 for Residential Care Facilities. Nursing homes are also federally certified and CMS star-rated, which assisted living in Ohio is not.

How many days can an assisted living community in Ohio provide skilled nursing before a resident must transfer?

Ohio caps the skilled nursing an RCF may provide at 120 days in any 12-month period per resident, under ORC 3721.011, with exceptions for physical/occupational/speech therapy and hospice residents.

Is independent living licensed the same way as assisted living in Ohio?

No. Independent living is generally unlicensed housing in Ohio because it does not include personal care. Assisted living is licensed as a Residential Care Facility specifically because it involves hands-on help with daily activities.

Where can I see a facility's Ohio inspection record before touring?

Ask the community directly for its most recent Ohio Department of Health inspection report, or contact the Ohio Department of Health directly to request survey history for a specific facility.

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