The Centers for Disease Control recently released a report on U.S. life expectancy showing a decline for the first time since 1993. Data from 2015 indicate the average American life expectancy fell from 78.9 years in 2014 to 78.8 years in 2015—a drop of roughly five weeks. UPDATE: As of 2023, average life expectancy in the United States has declined further to about 76.4 years.
The lifespan stats for CCRCs
That report prompted me to consider how continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also called life plan communities, affect both the quality and length of residents’ lives. Marketing materials frequently claim that people who live in CCRCs live longer. For example, some community websites state that research shows seniors who move into CCRCs live longer because they can interact and socialize with other residents, or that CCRC residents enjoy longer, healthier lives. Those assertions naturally raise questions: what research supports them, when was it done, and how many communities or residents were included?
I searched for the underlying studies and found surprisingly little solid evidence. The most commonly cited source is a paper written nearly two decades ago by an intern for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In that report, author Jacquelyn Sanders references findings by William Scanlon and Bruce Layton from a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report and states that CCRC residents have a life expectancy 1.5 to 2 years longer than other older adults.
However, a review of the GAO report cited by Sanders shows it does not explicitly claim CCRC residents live 1.5 to 2 years longer. The GAO analysis discusses how CCRC-provided services promote healthier lifestyles and reduce disease and injury risk, but it does not quantify a specific life-extension figure. That raises the question: where did the 1.5–2 year number originate? Was it collected from individual community reports or anecdotal accounts, or is there broader industry research that isn’t readily available?
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CCRC residents are healthier to begin with
Although definitive, industry-wide research proving longer lifespans for CCRC residents is scarce, it seems plausible that residents do live longer on average. But it’s important to consider selection effects. Many CCRCs require prospective residents to be able to live independently when they move in, which tends to select for healthier, more active older adults. If the CCRC population starts out healthier than the general senior population, that alone could account for longer observed lifespans.
At the same time, CCRCs offer structured wellness programs, social activities, and integrated healthcare services that likely contribute to better health and possibly longer life. The most realistic explanation is probably a combination of both factors: an initially healthier resident pool and the positive impacts of community services and support.
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Another look at lifespans of CCRC residents
Given the limited contemporary research on this topic, more rigorous, up-to-date studies would be valuable. Comparative research that controls for baseline health, socioeconomic status, and selection criteria could clarify whether CCRCs extend life expectancy, and if so, how much. Future studies should aim to separate the influence of resident selection from the direct benefits of services and social engagement offered by CCRCs. Understanding the mechanisms—selection, wellness interventions, or both—would help families make more informed decisions about senior living options.