An assisted living center is a residential living and medical care facility for people who may need help with daily needs such as bathing, grooming, dressing, laundry, housekeeping, and food preparation—and who may need some medical care or assistance with medication management—but not the degree of medical care provided by a nursing home. Assisted living centers are designed for senior citizens who are no longer capable of living alone but who want to enjoy some independence and the social aspects of group dining, activities, and outings to local places and events.

In North Dakota, assisted living facilities, also known as basic care facilities, are regulated by the North Dakota Department of Health. These facilities provide a combination of housing, personal care services, and health care designed to respond to individuals who need assistance with normal daily activities in a way that promotes maximum independence. State regulations require that these facilities must be licensed and adhere to standards that cover staffing, resident care, dietary services, and medication management, among other things. Assisted living centers in ND are not intended to provide the intensive medical and nursing care that is available in a nursing home, but they do offer a level of care that includes assistance with activities of daily living, social activities, and some health services. Each facility may offer different levels of care and services, and it is important for prospective residents and their families to carefully evaluate and compare these when choosing an assisted living center.