More than 32,000 assisted living communities across the United States are home to older adults. Although assisted living is a common option for seniors, they may wonder what their potential neighbors would be like if they moved into a community near them. In this article, we will review common demographic, personal care needs, and health condition data, providing insight into typical assisted living residents.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living communities are crucial sources of support and engagement for seniors, as they are designed to offer a range of safety features, amenities, personal care services, and other benefits that make life safer and easier for their residents.

A key focus is assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), including tasks such as using the bathroom, eating, and getting dressed. Staff members assist seniors with these activities as needed, helping them become more independent and engaged in life while maintaining safety. 

Assisted living is different from a nursing home in that typically there’s no skilled nursing care available in assisted living, and residents are often in fairly good health. For some, assisted living might sound like a loss of dignity and independence, but this isn’t the case at all. 

Variations in assisted living communities

There can be significant variation among assisted living communities, from the size and number of residents to the services offered. Almost half of the communities in the U.S. are considered “small,” with four to 10 residents, while others are much larger. About one-third of all communities in the U.S. are considered “large,” accommodating 26 to 100 residents. The average assisted living community in the United States has 37 beds.

Other features vary between assisted living facilities, too, including the resident-to-staff ratio, specific activities offered, and amenities. Many of these features, staffing, and offering options vary from community to community, but each facility must follow state regulations. 

Who is assisted living for?

Assisted living is for older adults who need some help with some personal care and daily activities in order to live safely and comfortably.  

For example, a resident might be able to dress themselves and use the toilet but need help with bathing and walking. Such a senior might choose assisted living because they want to remain active and social around others their age.

Let’s go over the data on assisted living residents so you can see what you or your loved one may have in common with other residents.

Assisted living resident demographics

The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) reports that there are currently more than 1 million assisted living residents in the U.S. More than half of the residents are women (67%), and 53% are 85 years old or older. Only 16% of residents are under the age of 75. Assisted living is most relevant to older adults because the type of assistance provided there typically becomes more necessary as people progress into late adulthood.

For example, an aging person may start to struggle with certain self-care tasks as they age, and by age 75, they may require assistance with several personal care and daily living tasks. Receiving help getting safely out of the shower, getting dressed, and eating nutritious meals and snacks could help them live safely and maintain independence. In this case, that individual could be a great candidate for assisted living.

If that same person requires assistance at an earlier age but has fewer options for receiving help, they may become one of the younger assisted living residents. While advanced age is commonly a factor, the individual’s options for receiving help while living at home also contribute to the decision to move to assisted living.

Health needs of residents

Many older adults have at least one chronic condition. The most common conditions for people in assisted living are:

• High blood pressure (58% of residents).
• Alzheimer’s disease or dementia (44%).
• Heart disease (33%).
• Depression (26%).
• Diabetes (16%).

However, these conditions don’t occur independently. 

According to a 2022 NCHS report, 55% of residents have two or three common chronic conditions, while 18% have four or more.

Such conditions don’t always need constant monitoring and medical care but can lead to increased difficulty in caring for oneself.  

For example, a resident might have high blood pressure and heart disease, conditions that can require medications and lifestyle changes like increased exercise and a healthy diet. Assisted living makes it easier for such seniors to care for themselves, as there are regular physical activities, healthy meals, and even medication reminder services.

The prevalence of dementia is particularly relevant, as families often aren’t equipped to support a loved one with dementia. To support these individuals, 18% of assisted living facilities have a dementia care section, and 11% are exclusively for people with dementia. 

Consequently, people with dementia get more support in assisted living facilities than they would at home. Activities will often be designed with residents with dementia in mind, which allows all seniors to engage in activities without exclusion or stigma.

Personal needs of residents

Assisted living supports activities of daily living (ADLs), the basic tasks involved in taking care of ourselves. 

People can typically manage such tasks independently for most of their adult lives, but doing so becomes harder as they age.

According to AHCA Facts & Figures, bathing and walking are the most common ADL needs in assisted living, while others are less common but are still regularly present. The tasks that assisted living facilities offer help with include:

• Bathing (75% of residents).
• Walking (71%).
• Dressing (60%).
• Bed transfer (57%).
• Toileting (51%).
• Eating (28%).

A 2022 NCHS report found that 62% of residents need support with three or more ADLs, while 26% need support with just one or two. Such figures highlight the power of assisted living. 

For example, someone who struggles with walking and bathing would have a hard time getting out of the home and being social. They might become increasingly isolated while spending less time engaged in healthy activities. 

Assisted living changes things, as the environment, activities, and services are all designed to support seniors. This allows residents to participate in activities and stay connected, regardless of their individual needs. 

Common reasons for moving to assisted living

Declining health is one of the most common reasons for moving to assisted living, as health directly affects how well people can care for themselves. 

Such declines may mean a senior can no longer live alone, even if they are still active and independent in many other ways. 

Caregiver burnout can be a reason, too, especially when adult children or spouses are supporting the senior. Burnout is a signal that the tasks are unsustainable for the people providing care and that change is needed.

Assisted living helps seniors by providing the support they need while also encouraging independence. This makes life easier for the senior and their family and is a more sustainable solution.

There may be other reasons, such as isolation, a doctor’s recommendation, or having a spouse who recently moved to assisted living.

While there are countless variations to an individual’s identity, needs, and interests, data shows some of the typical needs and attributes of assisted living residents. Assisted living residents are individuals who have identified a need for assistance with daily life and desire the safe, comfortable, and maintenance-free lifestyle that assisted living offers.

Senior care facility rules and requirements vary based on company-specific policies and state-level regulations. The content above represents common guidelines but may differ from a particular facility’s policies or requirements. To learn the regulations that apply in your state, contact your local Oasis Senior Advisor.