Continuing-care communities are residential facilities that provide multiple levels of care for seniors. These types of communities offer various levels of assistance as seniors age, from independent living to assisted living to nursing care. Although the term "continuing-care communities" is widely used, there are several synonyms to describe this type of housing for seniors. Some of the most common synonyms include "life-plan communities," "age-restricted communities," "retirement communities," and "active adult communities." These synonyms may be more specific or more general than continuing-care communities, but they all refer to communities that cater to the needs of older adults and provide a range of services to help seniors age gracefully.