How Long Do Most People Stay in Assisted Living?

The uncertainty that comes with moving into assisted living is one of the reasons it can be so hard to convince loved ones to make the move. In addition to the fact that change is always hard, especially when it requires leaving home, not knowing how long your new home will be your home creates an additional layer of stress for those moving into assisted living.

To help relieve some of that stress, we are going to explain how long most people stay in assisted living, as well as some of the most common reasons residents choose to move out of assisted living.

The Average Length of Stay in Assisted Living

The average length of stay in assisted living is about 28 months according to a report that was published jointly by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living. Keep in mind that “average length of stay” means some people spend less than 28 months in assisted living, while others spend more time in assisted living.

It is also important to note that some people might spend a year or two in one assisted living community before moving to another assisted living community. Whether they move to be closer to family or because they need certain services their first assisted living community did not provide, they might not spend all their time in assisted living in the same community.

Men and Women in Assisted Living

Another important thing to keep in mind is that women tend to live longer than men, which means women are more likely to spend more time in assisted living. According to the Administration on Aging, the average woman needs long-term care services for 3.7 years, while the average man needs long-term care services for only 2.2 years.

Keep in mind that “long-term care services” covers more than just assisted living. It also includes care provided within the home and nursing homes.

Reasons for Leaving Assisted Living

Most residents in assisted living will eventually need a higher level of care, which is the primary reason for leaving assisted living. That could mean moving from an assisted living community that does not provide specific services, such as memory care, to one that does. Or it could mean moving from assisted living to a nursing home, which provides a higher level of medical care than assisted living.

At Stillwater Senior Living, we wish all our residents could stay with us forever, but we also know every time a resident moves on it gives us a chance to love and care for a new resident. If you have any questions about the experiences of our residents here at Stillwater Senior Living, we are always happy to chat. Just reach out to get the conversation started.