| name | senior-living-assisted-living-construction |
| description | Construction guidance for senior living and assisted living facility projects including IL, AL, memory care, and SNF. |
Senior Living & Assisted Living Construction
Quick reference for construction project managers working on senior living facilities including Independent Living (IL), Assisted Living (AL), Memory Care (MC), Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF), and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC/Life Plan Communities).
Care Level Quick Reference
| Care Level | Typical Occupancy | Licensing | Key Construction Considerations |
|---|
| Independent Living (IL) | R-2 Residential | Minimal/None | Full kitchens, residential feel, parking ratios |
| Assisted Living (AL) | Board & Care or R-2 | State Health/Social Services | Med rooms, bathing spas, staff stations |
| Memory Care (MC) | Board & Care | State Health + MC endorsement | Secured perimeter, wander management, sight lines |
| Skilled Nursing (SNF) | I-2 Healthcare | State + CMS Medicare certification | Defend-in-place, smoke compartments, clinical spaces |
| CCRC/Life Plan | Mixed | Multiple licenses | Campus master planning, continuum transitions |
Reference Files by Category
Care Levels & Licensing
Care Delivery Spaces
Resident Experience & Accessibility
Dining & Food Service
Activities & Wellness
Outdoor Spaces
Life Safety & MEP
Support Services
Project Management
Critical Code References
| Code/Standard | Application |
|---|
| NFPA 101 Life Safety Code | Occupancy classification, egress, fire barriers |
| NFPA 13/13R | Sprinkler systems by occupancy type |
| CMS Conditions of Participation | Medicare-certified SNF requirements |
| State Licensing Regulations | Varies by state - AL, MC, SNF |
| ADA/ABA Accessibility | Common areas, accessible units |
| Fair Housing Act | Residential units, Type A/B requirements |
| ANSI A117.1 | Accessibility technical standards |
| Local Building Code | IBC adoption, amendments |
Cross-References to Other Skills
Key Milestones for Senior Living Projects
| Milestone | Typical Timing | Key Activities |
|---|
| Licensing Pre-Application | Schematic Design | Consult state agency, confirm requirements |
| Plan Review Submission | DD/CD Completion | State health dept, fire marshal review |
| Mock-Up Rooms | Early Construction | Resident room, bathroom approvals |
| MEP Rough-In Inspection | Before Close-In | Fire alarm, nurse call, sprinkler |
| Life Safety Inspection | Substantial Completion | Fire marshal, defend-in-place verification |
| State Licensing Survey | Before Opening | Operational readiness, staffing, policies |
| Certificate of Occupancy | Before Opening | Coordinate with licensing timeline |
| Medicare Certification (SNF) | After Licensing | CMS survey for SNF facilities |
Common Senior Living Construction Issues
| Issue | Prevention Strategy |
|---|
| State licensing requirements missed | Early engagement with licensing agency |
| Occupancy classification confusion | Confirm with AHJ before design completion |
| Inadequate med room/storage | Review state requirements early |
| Wander management system conflicts | Coordinate with door hardware, fire alarm |
| Memory care sight line obstructions | Review design with operator clinical team |
| Nurse call coverage gaps | Room-by-room device placement verification |
| Bathing room accessibility | Full-size mock-up before installation |
| Kitchen undersizing | Meal count projections, menu complexity review |
| Generator capacity shortfall | Essential electrical load analysis |
| Smoke compartment violations | Early coordination with fire marshal |
