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A Guide to Faith-Based Senior Living
Date Updated: December 2, 2025
Written by:
Pilar Martland double-majored as an undergraduate at UC Davis and earned bachelor’s degrees in English and science. Following graduation, she spent two years as an AmeriCorps member working in the public school systems of California and Washington. She then completed a master's degree in education and became the author of multiple children's books.
Pilar has spent the past several years focusing on raising her family while continuing to pursue work on a freelance basis as a writer, editor, researcher, and fact-checker. She strives to make a positive difference by spreading awareness and empowering others through research-backed, educational, and informative content.
Edited by:
Victoria Lurie is a copy editor, writer, and content manager. She started in legacy media, progressing from there to higher education, reviews, and health care news. During the course of her career, Victoria has corrected grammar on hundreds of domains (and the occasional subway wall). She has a BA in Writing from Christopher Newport University.
Victoria is passionate about making information accessible. She lets the math scare her so it doesn’t scare you. When it comes to caregiving, Victoria's experience is mostly product-centric: hoyer lifts, blood pressure cuffs, traction stickers. But she’s dabbled in estate planning and long-distance care, and hopes to use her experience to make that path smoother for others.
Faith-based communities offer the same services as other senior living communities, but also incorporate regular religious and spiritual practices. These communities may offer worship services and prayer groups, meditation sessions, mindfulness workshops, sacred text studies, and religious holiday celebrations to their residents, helping seniors feel less isolated or lonely. Local non-profits or private companies operate faith-based senior living facilities.
Key Takeaways
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What Are the Benefits of Faith-Based Assisted Living?
It is not uncommon for seniors to have mental health concerns. Approximately one-third of the seniors who participated in Caring.com’s 2025 Senior Mental Health Survey have a clinical diagnosis of anxiety or depression. Among those surveyed, 16% of the seniors reported feeling better as a result of their religious or spiritual beliefs.
There are also other benefits seniors may experience by choosing a faith-based assisted living community. For example, it may be easier for seniors to connect with those who share similar religious views, traditions and values which may also help them feel less lonely or isolated while transitioning to assisted living and becoming a new member of a community. Additional benefits include:
- A built-in support system
- Opportunities to get involved in spiritual activities
- A sense of purpose and belonging
- Enhanced physical and mental health
- Reduced feelings of isolation
- Easier access to religious services
- Help when coping with difficult emotions or situations
Religion-Specific Resources
- Guide to Christian/Catholic Senior Living
- Guide to Jewish Senior Living
- Guide to Muslim Senior Living
- A Guide to Lutheran Assisted Living
- Presbyterian Assisted Living and Senior Care Guide
- Buddhist Assisted Living and Senior Care Guide
- Seventh-day Adventist Assisted Living and Senior Care Guide
- Methodist Assisted Living and Senior Care Guide
- Quaker Assisted Living and Senior Care Guide
Tips for Finding a Faith-Based Senior Living Community
When you’re looking for a faith-based community, find one that provides the level of care you need along with the religious activities you desire. It may take some time and effort to pinpoint a community that meets these needs, but the following tips may make the process easier:
- Obtain Referrals to Faith-based Senior Communities: Ask local religious leaders. They often provide services to spiritual communities and will likely have recommendations.
- Ask Your Health Care Provider: Your doctor may be familiar with faith-based communities that offer your needed level of care. Medical professionals typically have knowledge on different care options to better assist their patients.
- Reach Out to Community Resources: Speak with the person responsible for locating community-based spiritual services. They may have suggestions for faith-based communities.
- Attend Local Health Fairs and Events: Many senior living communities set up booths, and you may find a few that are faith-based.
- Ask a Nurse or Medical Assistant: They may have previously worked in senior living and can share their knowledge of faith-based assisted living.
| Download the checklist: Use our PDF checklist to help you search for faith-based senior living |
Next Steps
You can compile a list of faith-based senior living options recommended by your local religious leaders, medical professionals, and others in your community. You can also reach out to Caring.com’s Family Advisors at (800) 558-0653 for free assistance finding additional options and tours in your preferred location.
Before or after your tours, explore how to pay for assisted living.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- How spirituality care is integrated into senior living communities. (2025). High Point Residence.
- What are faith-based retirement communities? (2025). Presbyterian Living
- What are the benefits of a faith-based senior living community? (2022). Baptist Retirement Community