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What Is the Average Age for Individuals Entering Assisted Living?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
The average age for individuals entering assisted living communities and nursing homes is 84, per a 2023 study. However, statistics vary among sources, with many researchers and facilities providing an admission age range between the mid-70s and mid-80s.
Average Age of Assisted Living Occupants
The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts finds that most individuals move to assisted living, memory care or independent living at age 80 or older. Conversely, the National Association of Realtors reports that the average age for transitioning to senior housing is younger, at 75.
According to the National Center for Assisted Living, half of all assisted living residents are 85 or older, and only 6% are younger than 65. Of the over 800,000 assisted living occupants nationwide, around 13% are between 65 and 74, and 31% are aged 75 to 84. The median length of stay in assisted living is 22 months.