.png&w=256&q=75){kind=small}
How Quickly Can You Get a Parent Into Assisted Living?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Ashlee Shefer is a freelance copywriter, content writer, and digital marketer who specializes in senior care, mental health, health care, and other wellness-related topics. She has one year of experience writing both short- and long-form content related to senior resources, assisted living, nursing homes, and home care, including blog posts, research-based articles, resource guides, product reviews, facility blurbs, finances, and care costs.
You can get a parent into assisted living within a few weeks, months or years, depending on a community’s capacity, popularity and current number of residents. It also depends how many facilities are in your area. Research shows there are approximately 30,600 assisted living communities nationwide, with an average of 39 beds per community, but availability ranges widely based on region.
Many communities keep waiting lists and require a deposit to hold your spot. Once a spot opens, the community usually contacts waiting list candidates in the order they signed up. However, some waiting lists are needs-based, meaning if someone needs urgent support, the community may prioritize them. Contacting communities directly can help you understand how their waiting lists or policies work and what their turnover rates are.
How long do residents stay in assisted living?
According to the National Center for Assisted Living, residents stay in assisted living for an average of 22 months. These communities cater to seniors needing assistance with personal care tasks, including dressing and bathing, to maintain independence and quality of life.
Some seniors enter a less intensive care option first, such as independent living, if they don’t need daily living support but wish to downsize their home or expand their social network. Additionally, some seniors transition to nursing homes or memory care communities from assisted living if their health needs change and require more intensive care.
When should you start seeking assisted living options for a parent?
You should start seeking assisted living options if your parent struggles to perform daily living activities, experiences frequent falls or accidents or fails to maintain responsibilities, including paying bills or buying groceries. These signs may indicate extra support is needed to help your parent live safely and comfortably.
Researching assisted living options early can be beneficial. Even if your parent isn’t immediately ready to transition to assisted living, early preparation allows you to build a relationship with a community and claim a waiting list spot, helping you prevent potential future crises from occurring. You’re also more likely to make a well-informed decision about care options when not in crisis mode.