Whether you're considering a nursing home, assisted living, or at-home care, AARP Massachusetts state director Jennifer Benson recommends using the company's services to help you make an informed decision.

The fire that claimed nine lives at an assisted-living facility in Fall River, Massachusetts, "was destined to kill 50-plus people," according to the local fire chief.

The Massachusetts assisted-living facility where a fatal fire killed nine people was caring for dozens of aging residents reliant on wheelchairs and oxygen tanks, but it lacked the safety measures and most of the staffing requirements that are commonplace in nursing homes.

When the deadly fire broke out Sunday night at Gabriel House in Fall River, Massachusetts, the assisted living facility had 70 residents and just two staff members working, according to the mayor and an employee.

Nine people died Sunday night after an assisted living facility caught fire in Fall River, Massachusetts, officials said, with elderly people begging for help from first responders as smoke poured out of the building.

The Massachusetts assisted-living facility that caught fire Sunday evening was slated to undergo a recertification and compliance review process later this year.

When a loved one is no longer able to safely live alone due to illness or frailty, assisted living offers a supportive environment with round-the-clock oversight and access to care, as well as comprehensive safety measures. These communities must comply with federal, state and local safety regulations.

Questions about Gabriel House living conditions and emergency preparedness continue to swirl following Sunday’s deadly fire.