What Is the Average Age for Assisted Living?

Key Takeaways

• There is no official, single average age reported for Assisted Living.
• The need for daily support with activities of daily living, not age, is the driving factor for a move to Assisted Living. 

While there is no official, single average age reported, most Assisted Living residents are in their 80s. More than half are 85 years old or older. Most Assisted Living communities welcome residents who are at least 60 years old, though admission age varies by state regulations.

Statistics About the Average Age for Assisted Living

While no federal agency reports a single average age for Assisted Living, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 50% of seniors living in residential communities are over 85. 

A 2022 report from the National Center for Health Statistics states that:

• 53% of seniors in residential care were 85 years old and older 
• 31% were ages 75-84
• 10% were ages 65-74
• 6% were younger than 65.

This report talks about residential living communities, not Assisted Living specifically. Residential living includes Assisted Living, personal care, board and care, and adult foster care.

Why Age Alone Doesn’t Determine Readiness for Assisted Living

While the average age of Assisted Living residents varies, many older adults make the move for greater safety, support and peace of mind. In an Assisted Living community, caregivers are available around the clock to provide personalized help with daily tasks such as bathing, grooming, dressing, medication management, mobility and incontinence care.

Assisted Living residents come to the community for support and assistance, as well as socialization with neighbors, peace of mind, security, and safety. Age is rarely a factor.

Signs That Matter More Than Age

If you’re wondering whether Assisted Living may be right for your loved one, focus less on their age and more on changes in their health, safety and daily routine. The following signs may indicate that it’s time to consider additional support:

• A fall in the past 3-6 months (1 in 4 seniors fall annually, according to the CDC.)
• Poor hygiene
• Skipping showering, bathing, or grooming routines 
• Wearing the same clothes over and over
• Not wearing makeup (if makeup and appearance was typically important to them)
• Missed medications or medication errors
• Confusion about their medication regimen or feeling overwhelmed with the schedule
• Unintentional and unexplained weight loss or gain
• Not keeping up with housecleaning, tidying, or stocking the fridge
• Withdrawing from social activities, including family gatherings or friend meet-ups

Assisted Living moves can also be instigated by the caregiver, and not the senior. Excess caregiver strain, stress, and fatigue can mean that a move to Assisted Living, where the family member can tone down their caregiver responsibilities, is a wise choice.

A Good Age to Move to an Assisted Living Community 

Most Assisted Living communities set a minimum age, commonly 55 or 63, and there is generally no upper age limit. Requirements vary by community and by state requirements and regulations, so be sure to confirm when looking at potential communities.

The small share of residents under the age of 65 usually move to Assisted Living for the support, amenities, and resources available. Generally, these residents have a health condition that makes performing activities of daily living more challenging or unsafe. The support they receive at Assisted Living gives them safety, security, and peace of mind. Assisted Living communities are licensed by individual states and age policies and permitted care support vary from state to state.

Age is the least important factor when considering a move to Assisted Living. As long as the senior meets the minimum age requirement, they will fit in well at the community and find neighbors they can relate to and spend time with.

Instead, focus on the amenities and services (like 24-hour caregiving access) that make Assisted Living a good fit for your loved one’s needs and abilities. 

How Do I Talk to My Parent About Moving to Assisted Living?

It’s never too early to talk about Assisted Living and future residential living plans with your loved one. In fact, bringing the topic up long before they need the extra support can ensure everyone is on the same page as well as empower the senior to be an active part of the decision-making process. Perhaps even more importantly, if you’ve had the conversation ahead of a medical crisis or emergency situation, you won’t feel the additional stress of trying to make an Assisted Living decision while simultaneously explaining it to your loved one while they are in the hospital.

When you’re ready to bring it up to your loved one, do so with an open mind and a listening ear. If your loved one becomes defensive, listen to their point of view. You might be able to read between the lines and find that they are worried about losing their independence or believe that outdated stereotypes of senior living communities are true. Be a better listener than an explainer, especially in the initial conversations.

Other tips for having a conversation about Assisted Living include:

• Be prepared to bring up the topic during more than one conversation.
• Stop the conversation if emotions become heated. Calmly pause the conversation, say you can talk about it another time, and switch to a less controversial topic. 
• Bring up specific instances when you felt worried about their health, such as a recent fall or medication error.
• Encourage your loved one to ask questions and speak their mind about specific communities.
• Invite your loved one to tour potential communities and be part of the decision-making process.
• Consider bringing up the topic with the senior’s physician for their clinical recommendations.

Is Moving to Assisted Living Stressful for Older Adults?

Any transition or move is stressful. A move to Assisted Living can be even more stressful as the senior often needs to downsize, sell their home, and move to a community with new routines and neighbors. However, the Assisted Living staff members work diligently with family members and new residents to make the transition as smooth as possible. Residents are also quite welcoming to new neighbors and do their best to make them feel right at home.

Here are a few tips to help make the transition as smooth as possible:

• Bring a few favorite keepsakes, important furnishings, and photos. 
• When possible, make the new Assisted Living apartment completely unpacked and settled before you leave after move-in day.
• Create a family calendar where people can sign up to call or visit your senior loved one daily for the first few months.
• When you visit, try to attend a meal or activity with your loved one.
• Encourage your loved one to get into the routine of the community by attending at least one activity daily and eating all meals in the dining room.
• Keep communication open and candid with Assisted Living staff.

Finding the Right Time with Legend Senior Living

While a typical Assisted Living resident is in their mid-80s, age is usually not the driving factor in a move. Instead, Assisted Living residents find companionship, peace of mind, safety, and personalized support as their main reasons for moving.

At Legend Senior Living, our Assisted Living residences serve seniors of all ages! We feature amenities, services, and resources that help each resident maintain their independence while receiving the support they need to feel their best. Here, you’ll find personalized care plans, caregiver assistance with activities of daily living, chef-prepared dining, wellness programming, and a vibrant event calendar.

Each of our Assisted Living communities are unique while still upholding Legend Senior Living standards. Discover more by scheduling a visit; we’d love to show you what life is like here.