If you are an older adult exploring senior living options, you have probably started researching retirement communities. For many, choosing a community is a preference-driven decision and can take months or even years. But if a loved one needs long-term care or memory care and their current home is no longer safe, that decision becomes needs-based and may need to happen quickly.
There are many types of retirement communities and long-term care facilities, especially in larger cities. Once you narrow your search to a few places that meet your criteria, you may ask, “When should I get on the wait list?” Many assisted living and nursing care facilities maintain wait lists. While the answer varies by situation, in most cases it’s wise to get on wait lists sooner rather than later.
The wait list timing conundrum
Ideally, no one should wait until the day they need to move before beginning to plan. For older adults, advance planning is particularly important because many retirement communities have wait lists, and the most reputable communities are often in high demand.
Planning for long-term care is complicated by the unpredictability of when care will be needed and what level of care will be required. Assisted living or memory care needs can develop gradually with aging or a degenerative disease, or they can arise suddenly after an illness or injury that necessitates immediate assistance or skilled nursing.
For assisted living and memory care wait lists
If you are considering an assisted living or memory care community, it’s advisable to join three or four wait lists once you determine that care may be needed in the near future. That strategy increases the likelihood that you will be near the top of at least one list when the time comes.
For continuing care retirement community (CCRC) wait lists
If you are considering a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), sometimes called a life plan community, remember that many require new residents to be able to “walk in” and pass a health evaluation at move-in. CCRCs tend to attract active residents who live independently but want access to a continuum of care if needed. Most CCRCs include on-site assisted living or healthcare centers—or provide access to off-site services—so residents have peace of mind about future care needs.
Residents moving into a CCRC may not know when or how much care they will need, but joining a CCRC gives them ready access to services should their needs change.
How a retirement community waiting list works
Most retirement communities and long-term care facilities require a deposit to add your name to their wait list; amounts range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Some deposits are refundable if you change your mind or accept residence elsewhere—always ask about the waiting list refund policy. In assisted living settings, a deposit may be refundable only if a health issue prevents move-in.
Many CCRCs also maintain wait lists, typically for independent living units rather than for immediate assisted living or nursing care. Adding your name to a CCRC wait list usually requires a deposit that may or may not be refundable.
CCRCs often offer perks to people on their wait lists, such as use of the pool, fitness center, or participation in on-campus events. Increasingly, CCRCs market wait lists as “memberships” to encourage future residents to begin integrating into the community and meeting neighbors before they move in.
When you join a CCRC or assisted living wait list you will usually specify the unit type you prefer—patio home, one- or two-bedroom apartment, single-occupancy room, etc. A unit typically becomes available when a current resident moves out because their care needs have changed and they transfer to a higher level of care.
Types of wait lists for retirement communities
Retirement communities and long-term care facilities commonly use two forms of wait lists:
- Open-ended wait list: This is more flexible. When your name reaches the top, you are not required to move immediately; you can keep your top position and wait for the next available unit that matches your preference. The downside is that it can be hard to predict how many people are actively ready to move, so it may take longer to reach the top.
- “Three-strike rule” wait list: With this system, if you reach the top and decline an opening three times, you are sent to the bottom of the list. Some communities use a one-strike rule.
Some communities maintain an internal waiting list. If you need or want to move in but your preferred unit isn’t available, you can accept another unit and remain on the internal list until your desired unit opens. Existing residents usually receive priority over non-residents, and transfers may incur fees or additional monthly costs, so ask about any charges.
Your waiting list checklist
Before you get on a waiting list:
- Research your senior living options thoroughly and understand residency contract details, including what entry and monthly fees cover.
- Tour your top contenders in person—visits often reveal which communities truly stand out.
- Ask detailed questions about contract terms and waiting list policies, including refund rules for deposits.
After you get on a waiting list:
- Relax—planning ahead is a major step that often brings relief.
- Begin organizing your home and decide what you can and cannot take when you move.
- Think about when you will be ready to move and list factors that will influence timing, such as health, driving ability, housing situation, finances, and family considerations.
- Take advantage of any perks offered to wait-list members to become familiar with the community and meet future neighbors.
Making a senior living plan you feel good about
Joining the wait list of a retirement community or assisted living facility helps you take control of planning for the future. It can be an empowering step that provides peace of mind for both you and your family, and offers the security of knowing that care will be available if and when you need it.
Original post date: July 22, 2016; updated January 6, 2025