Last Updated: April 11, 2019
There are many reasons that someone can end up at assisted living — from needing medical assistance to more specialized care.
Read some interesting statistics about the average assisted living resident that you may not know about.
Facts About the Average Assisted Living Resident
According to the “Overview of Assisted Living,” report published by Leading Age, formerly the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, the average assisted living resident is an elderly Caucasian female.
Here are some other facts about the typical assisted living resident:
- The average resident is 87 years old
- 74% of residents are female
- 72% need assistance bathing
- 52% need assistance dressing
- 36% need assistance using the bathroom
- 25% need help transferring, for example from a chair to their bed, etc.
Health Problems That Necessitate a Move to Assisted Living
According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Here are some of the conditions that are common among seniors and often are the catalyst to a move to assisted living.
What’s striking is how many of these illnesses are lifestyle illnesses associated with obesity, poor diet, smoking, or a combination thereof:
- 57% of residents have residents have high blood pressure
- 42% of residents have Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia
- 34% of residents have heart disease
- 28% experience depression
- 27% have arthritis
- 21% of residents have osteoporosis
- 17% have diabetes
- 15% have COPD or similar breathing problems
- 11% have some type of cancer
- 11% are living post-stroke
- Macular degeneration or other vision problems.
- Multiple Sclerosis.
- Parkinson’s Disease.
Where Senior Residents Come From and Go After Assisted Living
Most assisted living residents previously lived independently, according to the CDC report:
- 70% of new residents moved from home or an apartment
- 9% moved from a nursing home
- 9% moved from a senior apartment or independent living community
- 7% previously had been living with family such as their adult children
- 5% came from a residential care home or another assisted living facility
Most assisted living residents gradually require more care and eventually have to move into a nursing home:
- 59% of assisted living resident move to a nursing home
- 33% pass away while living at the assisted living community
- 8% of residents move elsewhere
- The average length of stay at assisted living is 22 months
Which assisted living resident facts were you most surprised by? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and contact us if you need expert assistance with your assisted living search.
