The average stay in an assisted living facility is about 22 months, according to data from the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). They may also prefer the lifestyle they currently enjoy and fear that moving to an assisted living facility could change their level of independence and their ability to live as they please. Families and older people often leave assisted living facilities when they are not satisfied and are looking for other options, either another facility or a different type of care. While these reasons may be a real concern for some, many people consider that assisted living is actually a better option in every way.
When people leave an assisted living facility, it's often because they need more care than their current residence provides.
Some seniors and their families are delaying the transition to assisted living and are opting for home care options.
In general, people who receive first-level care can do most activities of daily living (ADL) on their own without help, but they may need reminders to do them. Therefore, the total time they received assisted living care, at home and then in a facility, could easily exceed 3 years for many people.These are some national averages for home care, adult day care, and care in assisted living settings and nursing homes.
Many policies offer a daily or monthly benefit to help pay for care provided in your own home, at an adult day care center, assisted living facility, nursing home, or palliative care center. The most common daily living activity that residents need help with is bathing and then walking.Keep reading to learn how long most people live in assisted living and how to find the right facility for you. Two of the most common transitions made after assisted living are memory care or skilled nursing facilities. Finally, 2024 data from the Population Reference Bureau show that the percentage of the elderly population (65 and older) is increasing and that people with chronic diseases and disabilities are living longer, contributing to an even greater demand for family and paid caregivers. Sometimes, the need to move to an assisted living facility is very clear, but the decision is made to stay home. After an average stay of around 22 months, approximately 60% of residents will leave assisted living to make the transition to a skilled nursing facility.
