For the past several years, the demand for quality assisted living care has seen a pattern of growth, thanks in part to a strong economy and the increasing number of baby boomers reaching retirement age. Back in 2010, according to McKnight’s Senior Living, senior housing occupancy was at 86.9 percent. Since then, almost 50,000 housing units, representing a 10 percent increase in inventory, have been built. And the majority of these new senior housing options are assisted living communities.
Assisted living is expected to remain one of the fastest-growing sectors of living options for seniors. In this post, we’ll delve into more assisted living statistics and facts surrounding the industry.
Assisted living is a senior housing option in which residents receive assistance with activities of daily life in a comfortable, homelike environment. These residents are encouraged to maintain the highest level of independence possible and do not generally need the level of care provided by a skilled nursing facility.
Assisted living communities also offer physical and emotional support to residents, along with planned activities and events to keep them socially engaged. Additionally, these communities provide a wide variety of services and amenities for a maintenance-free lifestyle, including help with daily housekeeping, dining options, transportation and more. Assisted living communities come in all shapes and sizes – from sprawling, suburban complexes to towering high-rises.
According to the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), there are more than 835,000 Americans currently residing in assisted living communities. According to the demographics, the majority of these residents are white females age 85 or older. In fact, 70 percent of residents at assisted living communities are female. It’s estimated that an assisted living resident’s average length of stay is usually around 22 months, after which he or she will move to a nursing facility for a higher level of care.
Currently, around one million Americans live in some type of senior living community, and that number is expected to double by the year 2030. After all, with innovations in healthcare and today’s seniors living longer, more active and healthier lives, “80 is the new 65.” By the year 2040, the 85+ population is expected to triple from the 5.7 million there were in 2011 to 14.1 million. In fact, an estimated 70 percent of people currently turning age 65 will require some form of long-term care in their lifetime.
The NCAL also reports that today there are over 30,000 assisted living communities with one million licensed beds. The average number of licensed beds within these communities is 33, but the largest facilities can have upwards of 100 beds, while the smallest have as little as four to ten.
In Oklahoma, there are a reported 200 assisted living providers. Fifty-seven percent of the residents in these communities are over the age of 85, and 43 percent have Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Assisted living communities in Oklahoma offer a wide array of services designed to meet the specific needs of residents, with programs including social work, therapy services, pharmacy services and more.
Experience the difference of the assisted living community at Saint Simeon’s! With no hidden or additional fees for services like medication management and no buy-in fee, your loved one will have the option to age in place with three levels of care offered under one roof at the Dotson Family Assisted Living community. Additionally, we offer the highest level of assisted living care in Tulsa through our Assisted Living Plus program. Some individuals who might require skilled nursing care could qualify for Assisted Living Plus.
For more information about applying for admission to our assisted living community, please watch this video or contact us today.
John H. Schumann, M.D., President, University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine, shares about how to tell if someone has dementia or is just experiencing normal aging. [Video]
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