Aging Services

Our holistic, person-centered quality framework of standards reflects leadership in the field internationally through the promotion and advancement of programs and services designed to meet the health and personal care needs of older adults and their caregivers.

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What we accredit

Standards for the following types of programs and services are in the manuals for Aging Services (AS) and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC):

Adult Day Services
Assisted Living
Person-centered Long-Term Care Communities (nursing homes)
Home and Community Services
Case Management
Independent Senior Living

Personal Supports Services (such as delivered meals, caregiver education, senior centers)
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
(life plan community)
Dementia Care Specialty Program
Palliative and End-of-Life Care Specialty Program—New in 2025

Accreditation options

Female home carer supporting elder woman to stand up from an armchair

Aging Services

Organizations providing services for older adults and their families/support systems use the Aging Services (AS) Standards Manual. This manual includes both senior living/residential programs as well as a wide array of home and community-based services.

Download AS program descriptions

Close up of a group of senior people outside exercising and smiling

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

CARF is the only accreditor of CCRCs (also known as life plan communities). CCRCs offer multiple levels of care and are designed to foster a culture of independence, safety, and community. CARF has a Financial Advisory Panel that provides input on the development of financial standards and strategic education resources for CCRCs/LPCs.

Organizations with this service delivery model use the Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) Standards Manual. Given the unique nature of the contractual relationship that CCRCs enter into with persons served, there are differences in the policies, procedures, length of the term of accreditation, and annual reporting requirements for CCRC accreditation.

Lenders seeking to invest in the senior housing and services sector may have questions about accreditation and how it helps identify an organization that is prepared to meet the terms of a lending arrangement. Go to the Lenders page for more information.

Download CCRC program descriptions