Understanding the Average Length of Stay for Retirees in Assisted Living Facilities

The median length of stay for someone in an assisted living facility is approximately 22 months. However, the experience can vary significantly depending on individual health, personal circumstances, and accessibility to different types of care. This article explores the average length of stay, common reasons for moving, and trends in assisted living for retirees.

Common Length of Stay for Assisted Living Residents

Research shows that the typical resident lives in an assisted living community for two to three years. Many then move to a skilled nursing facility or make other arrangements for their care. About half of assisted living residents are 85 years old or older, with a smaller percentage ranging from 75 to 84, 65 to 74, and less than 65. Care provided in assisted living is tailored to individual needs, and some individuals may require long-term support for more than five years.

Reasons for Moving From Assisted Living

Several factors can lead to a resident's move from an assisted living facility. Almost 60% of residents eventually move to a skilled nursing facility. Community discharge can happen due to various reasons, including:

Returning home due to financial constraints or family arrangements Requiring a hospital stay, which might not be supported by the assisted living community Financial problems leading to an inability to pay for assisted living Preference to move to another assisted living facility for a better fit A small percentage return home if they or their families decide to provide or hire in-home care

Cost Considerations for Assisted Living

Home care provided by licensed agencies can be significantly more expensive than assisted living. The median cost of 24/7 home health care supplied by a specialized home care agency is often comparable to or even higher than the cost of assisted living. Families often need to consider these costs when deciding whether to move a loved one home or to another facility. In some cases, families supplement in-home care with physical assistance to manage costs.

Trends in Long-Term Care Support

Due to the increasing demand for long-term care support, there is a growing trend toward more flexible and diverse care options. Retirees and their families are increasingly considering in-home care as a viable alternative to assisted living. This trend is driven by the higher costs of traditional assisted living and the desire for a more personalized care experience in a familiar setting.

Typical residents of assisted living communities often stay for about a year, which is much shorter than in previous decades. This trend reflects increased reluctance among seniors to initially move into assisted living facilities. Factors such as the expectation of self-sufficiency, the desire to maintain independence, and the preference for familiar surroundings often discourage initial moves to assisted living.