10 Surprising Facts About Senior Living

Health care innovations, combined with a focus on preventative care and exercise, means seniors today live longer, healthier lives. In the next two decades, the number of people in the United States over 65 is projected to increase by 42% and those over 85 by 111%.^[01] In the last 12 months, the average age of seniors A Place for Mom referred to senior living communities was 80.^[02]

In addition, the gender gap in life expectancy has narrowed since the 1990s, when there were only 67 men per 100 women in the over-65 population group. Scientists predict that by 2060, there will be 86 men per 100 women in the over-65 age category.^[03] This means the population of seniors is already large and increasing, and these senior men and women will likely need some kind of senior care in the next twenty years.

Regular, low-impact exercise can extend your life and independence. Staying active is ideal for maintaining good health, according to the National Institute on Aging’s “Get Fit for Life” guidelines. Decades of research have affirmed the link between exercise and longevity.

Many senior living communities recognize how important exercise is as we all age, so they feature fitness classes, gyms, weightlifting, and more. Exercise options at senior living communities also may help increase lifespan through healthy socialization. Walking clubs, group classes, and personal training opportunities make it easy for seniors to build day-to-day social connections.

While chair yoga and gentle stretching might be perfect for some, other seniors, especially those in independent living communities, may prefer a more adventurous lifestyle. Here’s an example of some communities’ activity options:

• Mountain biking trips
• Group hiking trips through national parks
• Practicing sunrise yoga flow on the beach
• Playing a lively game of pickleball with friends

Memory care is a type of assisted living designed specifically for older adults with dementia and cognitive decline. Specially trained memory care staff members tailor care to residents’ unique life journeys, personal preferences, and individual medical situations. Many communities offer memory care activities based on residents’ interests, passions, and prior occupations.

Memory care communities generally focus on holistic, person-centered care, meaning they complement traditional medical care with therapies to fit each resident’s individual needs. These programs may include:

• Music therapy
• Art therapy
• Reminiscence therapy
• Aromatherapy

Read more: The Benefits of Socialization for Seniors in Senior Living

Let our care assessment guide you

Starting somewhere new can feel intimidating. However, today’s senior living communities often feature neighborhood-like designs to make the environment feel like home.

Amenities at senior living communities may include the following:^[02]

• Bistro or cafe
• Cocktail lounge
• Fitness center
• Library
• Movie theater
• Putting green
• Restaurant
• Salon and barbershop
• Walking paths

Humans are social beings who want to fit into a group of like-minded individuals. Seniors experience increased happiness, feel a sense of purpose, and typically live longer when they socialize with others regularly.^[04]

With an array of on-site activities and amenities, senior living communities curate fun and engaging options for all residents to enjoy, avoiding the risks of social isolation for older adults. Senior living staff may even tailor activities to residents’ unique interests and passions.

Activities in senior living typically include the following:

• Birthday and holiday celebrations
• Happy hours
• BBQs
• Musical performances
• Art and other educational classes
• Guest speakers
• Group trips
• Fitness classes
• Spiritual services
• Clubs and interest groups

Read more:The Benefits of Socialization for Seniors in Senior Living

Senior living communities tailor their offerings to meet the changing demographics and demands of older adults in the U.S. now more than ever. Examples include the categories listed below.

Faith-based communities

Spiritual seniors can find communities with distinct services and amenities to match their respective faiths. Faith-focused communities may include the following on-site accommodations:

• Specialized food services, like kosher or halal meals
• Celebration of religious holidays like Rosh Hashanah, Ramadan, or Christmas
• Religious services held on-site or visits by religious leaders

LGBTQ+ -friendly communities

More than three million people 50+ identify as LGBT, according to Services & Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Elders (SAGE), one of the oldest organizations dedicated to LGBTQ+ elder rights.^[05] The senior living industry has responded with tailored LGBTQ+ communities that make aging adults in the community feel dignified and respected with specific services:

• Progressive medical care that affirms gender and sexuality
• Family support groups
• Respect for preferred pronouns and names

High-rise senior living communities

This metropolitan style is commonly found in assisted living communities in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and other major cities throughout the United States. Luxurious assisted living communities in high-rise buildings may feature the following perks:

• Condo-style amenities
• Stylish, rooftop outdoor spaces
• Floor-to-ceiling windows with cityscape views
• Highly walkable locations within the city

Language-based communities

A language or cultural barrier can present a significant challenge upon entering senior living. Specialized communities may offer expanded language resources on their campuses. Typically found near major urban centers, these communities may include the following:

• Staff who speak Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Vietnamese, or Spanish
• Cantonese, Shanghainese, and Fujianese cuisine
• Art rooms featuring calligraphy, bonsai, painting, and more
• Tai chi and Qi Gong exercise classes
• On-site tea rooms

Eco-friendly communities

These “green” communities can be identified through their LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, status. The U.S. Green Building Council developed the LEED rating system, which determines if a building’s design is environmentally friendly. Typical “green” senior living communities may feature:^[06]

• Alternative power sources, such as solar power
• Greywater recycling or rainwater harvesting systems
• Design elements that reduce energy or water consumption, such as low-flow faucets and toilets

Senior living communities usually tailor services and care to meet the unique needs of each resident, and many seniors desire privacy. Across most states, senior living communities help residents maintain a right to privacy and independence by offering different housing, schedule, and activity options.^[07]

Assisted living communities provide social flexibility

Assisted living staff and communities can empower your loved one to continue being themselves and living life as they prefer. For example, an introverted resident can choose to live alone, while an extrovert might choose to live with a roommate in shared housing. All residents are free to do the following:

• Invite family and friends over to visit often
• Eat the foods they prefer, sometimes with input from professional dietitians
• Participate in activities and events they choose

Read more:How Much Does Assisted Living Cost? Factors & Price Structures

Talk with a Senior Living Advisor

Studies suggest owning a pet can lead to a healthier lifestyle. It promotes physical activity, improves emotional health, and reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.^[08]

With such research becoming better known, it’s common to find pet-friendly assisted living communities and senior living communities allowing pets in common areas. If your loved one doesn’t have their own pet, they can still enjoy the benefits of animals through on-site pet therapy programs. In some instances, a community may keep a single dog or cat residents can interact with.

For those with disabilities, service dogs and emotional support animals may be accepted even in communities with no-pet policies through the protections afforded by the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Fair Housing Act.

You can find pet-friendly communities among A Place for Mom’s partner communities.

Our proprietary senior living data show that the national median cost of assisted living in the last 12-month period for senior living in the United States was $4,995 per month.^[09] While this may seem costly, keep in mind that senior living often includes the costs of food, care, utilities, housekeeping, landscaping, amenities, and social events.

However, affordable senior living options are growing to meet demand. In the U.S., some construction companies have begun building more affordable mid-market senior housing options. These communities are designed for middle-income seniors and feature smaller units focused on trends toward minimalist living, with streamlined amenities and an emphasis on à la carte services.

Mid-market senior housing works especially well for affordable independent living, where personal and health care services are commonly à la carte. Board and care homes also tend to be less expensive than larger senior living communities.

Read more:How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in 2024? Factors and Price Structure

If your parents are retired empty nesters with a large, multi-bedroom home, do they really need the space and its attached costs? While it can be difficult to let go, it may make the most financial sense to part ways with the costs of homeownership. Some seniors may want to leave the home to their children, but are unaware of the costs this may cause to their family.

Selling a large family home frees up equity for more retirement funds for seniors.^[10] Downsizing often decreases monthly expenses and alleviates worries about rising property taxes or expensive homeowners insurance. Selling a house to pay for senior living remains a common retirement strategy for seniors.

Senior living communities can protect residents from unexpected expenses, like a leaky roof or a broken air conditioner. The community will also typically handle things like maintenance, landscaping, and snow shoveling.

Senior living communities continue to change to handle the emerging needs and demographics of seniors in the United States. Encouraging a more active lifestyle, developing specialized communities, and simplifying finances makes them an increasingly appealing option.

A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors are always available to discuss the numerous communities available for family members, and at no cost to you.