Can People in Assisted Living Move Out?

Yes, people in assisted living can move out. Except for limited circumstances, such as when somebody else has legal guardianship over a senior, assisted living communities can’t prevent anyone from leaving of their own free will.

That said, residents normally sign contracts when moving into a facility, so they must typically fulfill any contractual obligations, such as giving sufficient notice of the intention to move out. Depending on the reason for moving, notice periods may be waived. Seniors may leave assisted living for diverse reasons, including changing care needs, financial concerns and dissatisfaction with a particular facility.

Assisted living facilities provide help with everyday activities and personal care in a nurturing and sociable setting. Depending on state regulations, facility licensing terms and staffing, some communities offer light medical or rehabilitative support, such as medication administration or occupational therapy. However, assisted living may not be the best option for seniors with more intensive medical or therapeutic care needs or for those who experience the progression of cognitive conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Seniors with emergency medical needs may move to a hospital, temporarily or permanently. Following a hospital stay, some seniors might transition to a nursing home to receive higher levels of clinical care than assisted living provides. Additionally, some seniors may move directly from an assisted living community to a nursing facility, and older adults with dementia may move to a specialized memory care community. Such communities may operate as stand-alone facilities, within a nursing home or as a separate neighborhood within an assisted living facility.

Unfortunately, long-term care can be costly. According to Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, assisted living costs an average of $4,500 monthly in the United States, although costs vary depending on the location and facility. Seniors with limited financial means may qualify for monetary assistance, such as Medicaid, Medicaid waivers or the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. However, state funding doesn’t typically cover room or board costs in assisted living facilities.

Seniors may move out of assisted living in favor of lower-priced care options; adult day care or in-home care may be more affordable for those who still own a property or have a family they can live with. Alternatively, those who meet functional and financial criteria may qualify for full funding, including room and meals, in a nursing home.

Sometimes, seniors don’t like a particular assisted living facility, and as a result, they may choose to move to a different community. Depending on the reasons for dissatisfaction, a Long-Term Care Ombudsman may be able to help resolve complaints, preventing a move from being necessary.