The COVID-19 pandemic has touched nearly every part of daily life: people have become ill, lost loved ones, faced job loss, and struggled with childcare. Throughout this time I have paid special attention to the pandemic’s mental health effects, particularly for seniors who are among the highest-risk groups. I’ve also been curious about how the crisis has changed public perception of the senior living industry.
Plante Moran Living Forward, a development advisory firm focused on senior living communities, and Retirement DYNAMICS, a senior living marketing and consulting agency, recently published a study exploring how the pandemic might influence decisions to live or work in senior living communities. Their survey, conducted in June and July, targeted three groups:
- Current senior living residents
- Prospective residents who remain in their own homes but are considering a move (including some on waiting lists)
- Staff at independent living communities
Note: the survey focused on independent living residents and did not include data from assisted living or skilled nursing residents.
The study gathered responses from more than 5,000 current residents, prospects, and staff, and revealed several noteworthy trends.
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Feelings of social isolation
One clear finding involved feelings of social isolation. Beginning in mid-March many cities and senior living communities imposed strict quarantine measures to protect vulnerable populations. Visitor restrictions and limits on off-campus activities left some residents isolated. Still, many independent living communities maintained a strong sense of community.
According to the survey, 68 percent of current senior living residents reported feeling some degree of isolation during the pandemic. Among those still living in their own homes, 61 percent reported feeling socially isolated. While residents in communities reported isolation slightly more often, the gap between the two groups was smaller than some might expect.
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Safety measures and concerns
The survey highlighted differences in perceptions of safety between those living in communities and those living independently. Among prospects who still live at home, 60 percent said they were fearful of going shopping during the pandemic. Many also felt burdened by extra meal planning, cooking, and cleaning required to stay safe.
By contrast, more than 60 percent of senior living residents said they felt safer living in their community than they would have in their previous home. An overwhelming 93 percent of residents believed their community implemented the necessary precautions to keep them safe. Staff echoed this sentiment: 85 percent agreed that residents are safer in the community than in their prior homes.
Beyond safety perceptions, many residents expressed satisfaction with their living arrangements during the pandemic. Seventy-seven percent agreed they were glad to be in a community during this time, and 86 percent said they were glad they had decided to move into their senior living community.
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Prospects’ thoughts on their senior living move
The survey also examined how the pandemic affected prospects’ plans for moving into senior living. More than half of prospects (57 percent) said they felt glad they stayed at home rather than being in a community during the pandemic, while 35 percent were unsure about that decision. Most prospects (74 percent) reported that the pandemic did not change their timeline for moving.
Factors most likely to accelerate a prospect’s move to a senior living community included:
- A change in health status (40 percent)
- The availability of a preferred residence (33 percent)
- The burden of ongoing home maintenance (26 percent)
The data also showed a relationship between how long prospects had lived in their current homes and whether they sped up or delayed their move. Those who moved sooner had lived in their homes for an average of 15.8 years, while those who delayed their move had lived in their homes an average of 22.5 years.
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Staff sentiments
Staff responses provided an additional perspective on how communities handled the pandemic. While staff identified areas for improvement—such as clearer communication with residents’ families—the overall picture was positive.
- 92 percent of staff said their community responded well to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 90 percent said they were glad they chose to work at their current community.
- 86 percent would recommend working at their community to a friend.
- 84 percent would recommend living at their community to a loved one.
>> Related: Lessons in Resiliency from Senior Living Communities
Adaptability and perseverance
The past months have been difficult for many seniors. Those living at home often faced increased isolation, anxiety about running errands, and the added workload of meal preparation and cleaning. Residents of senior living communities have faced their own challenges, including restrictions on visitors, travel, and group activities—changes that can be emotionally taxing.
Despite these hardships, many residents appear to accept safety measures as necessary steps to protect their health. The survey suggests that while technology use and socially distant recreation could be improved, senior living communities largely succeeded in supporting both residents and staff during the pandemic. Residents generally felt safe and well cared for, and staff expressed pride in their work and confidence in their communities.
These findings highlight the resilience of senior living residents and the compassion and innovation of community staff and management. The pandemic disrupted life in March, but many communities adapted quickly, implementing safety protocols and new routines. That adaptability and perseverance will continue to be essential as we work toward the end of this crisis.