What are older adults looking for in a continuing care retirement community?
Each year, myLifeSite conducts a consumer survey to better understand what motivates older adults to consider continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also known as life plan communities. In fall 2019 we invited more than 8,000 people on our contact list to participate in a short anonymous online survey. We received 430 responses from people actively researching CCRCs. Below is a concise summary of the key findings from the 2019 myLifeSite Consumer Survey.
A few key survey findings:
Survey participants’ ages:
The largest group of respondents (44.6 percent) were between ages 66 and 75. More than a quarter (25.3 percent) were specifically between 71 and 75. This shows the survey captured a broad range of older adults who are actively considering future living options.
Primary reason for interest in a CCRC:
Respondents ranked six common reasons people choose CCRCs. The clear top priority was access to a full continuum of care: 63 percent of participants ranked this as their number one reason. This emphasizes the importance prospective residents place on long-term security and predictable access to higher levels of care when needed.
When we examined answers by age group, some differences emerged, suggesting that priorities shift as people get older; the full report provides those detailed comparisons.
Top concern delaying a CCRC decision:
Survey participants were also asked to rank four common concerns that might delay a move to a CCRC. The most frequently chosen worry was the community’s financial viability. More than half of respondents (56 percent) cited this as their primary concern. Age-based differences appeared here as well, with the full report showing how financial concerns vary across age brackets.
>> Related: How Do I Know If a CCRC is Financially Viable?
Reasons for delaying a move to a CCRC:
Even among people who believe a CCRC is the right long-term choice, many delay moving for various reasons. Respondents rated eight possible causes for postponing the move. The most common answer overall was “I don’t feel old enough,” selected by almost half of participants. The second most common reason was concern about long-term affordability.
Age influenced these responses as well, and several participants provided write-in reasons that add nuance to the quantitative results. These personal comments help explain the practical and emotional factors that contribute to postponement.
>> Related: How Do I Know If I’ll Be Happy Living in This CCRC?
Most appealing characteristics of a CCRC:
Participants rated a range of community features from “not attractive” to “very attractive.” Food-related amenities ranked highest: “high-quality food” was the top choice, followed closely by “flexible dining settings.” These responses highlight how daily lifestyle options influence the decision to move.
Other highly rated attributes, nearly tied in popularity, were “lifelong learning classes/lecture series” and “flexible transportation services or ride-share programs.” Write-in responses added additional perspectives on desirable amenities and services.
>> Related: New Study Shows CCRC Residents ARE Happier and Healthier
Thank you to our survey participants!
We sincerely appreciate everyone who took time to share their thoughts and experiences for this year’s survey. Your feedback helps myLifeSite better serve people researching CCRCs and provides valuable insights for community leaders and administrators as they plan services and amenities that meet prospective residents’ needs.