The average stay in an assisted living facility is about 22 months, according to data from the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). 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 all residents of assisted living facilities receive basic care, some may need more care over time. I cited several statistics and came to the conclusion that 50 to 70% of people over 65 will need very important long-term care services at some point in their lives, meaning that they will need help doing at least a couple of activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing or bathing, and possibly even a higher level of care.
While there are several insurance programs and options available to help cover the costs of assisted living, sometimes finances are too limited to make the move. When people leave an assisted living facility, it's often because they need more care than their current residence provides. While these reasons may be a real concern for some people, many people consider that assisted living is actually a better option in every way. 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.
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. A person receiving intermediate care is still mostly independent, but may need help with some ADLs. For you or your loved one to get the most out of assisted living, you must have a general understanding of the different levels of care and the level offered by the center that interests you. Two of the most common transitions that occur after assisted living are memory care or skilled nursing facilities. Keep in mind that many residents of assisted living communities received care in their own homes for a period of time before moving to the community.
Although women tend to stay longer in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, they are more likely to be discharged for a home solution than men, who are more likely to move to another facility or to spousal care, if possible. Assisted living is often one of the most affordable care options after considering the costs of all of the above.
