Health Benefits of Senior Living: Insights from the Latest NORC Study

“Age is not a disease. It’s a state to which we aspire. Longevity is not just about adding years to life, but enriching those years with health, happiness, and fulfillment.” – Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., Stanford University neuroscientist and longevity expert

Those words capture the essence of healthy aging—and they’re now being echoed by data. Research from NORC at the University of Chicago reveals that senior living communities do far more than offer safety and social connection. They actively support better health, leading to fewer hospitalizations, lower Medicare costs and longer, more fulfilling lives.

Once seen as places for those who could no longer live independently, today’s senior living communities have become active hubs of wellness, engagement and preventive care. The NORC study provides compelling evidence that this evolution is measurable. The findings challenge long-held assumptions about aging and point to what residents and providers have long known: senior living is a proven path to healthier, happier years ahead.

Here’s an in-depth look at the study’s key findings:

Frailty Declines After Moving to Senior Living

The NORC research found that while many older adults enter senior living with higher levels of vulnerability or frailty, their health often improves soon after moving in.

Analyzing Medicare claims from more than 14,000 senior living communities and using a frailty index developed at Harvard University, researchers discovered that residents experienced a 10% decline in frailty within one year of move-in. In other words, after an initial adjustment period, residents’ health tended to stabilize—and even strengthen—over time.

The study credits non-medical supports such as socialization, transportation, exercise, balanced nutrition, and medication management for helping residents regain vitality.

“The measured decrease in vulnerability once older adults settle into senior housing suggests a tremendous opportunity to direct more care into these settings,” said Dianne Munevar, lead researcher at NORC.

David Schless, President and CEO of ASHA, agrees and adds, ““While frailty is a common concern in later life, the right environment, services, and lifestyles can greatly enhance quality of life, allowing older adults to live longer and better.”

“For residents, this kind of housing can help restore vitality and independence,” said Raymond Braun, President and CEO of NIC, who partnered with NORC for the study. “For operators, it shows that investing in non-medical supports is critical to better health and safety outcomes.”

Fewer Hospitalizations and Better Health Outcomes

The NORC analysis found that older adults living in senior housing experience fewer hospitalizations and injuries than their peers living independently. Across all property types— independent living, assisted living, Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), and memory care —the results were consistent and statistically significant.

Key findings include:

• 18% fewer hospitalizations from emergency departments among senior housing residents.
• 24% fewer hospitalizations for physical injuries among CCRC residents compared with peers living in the greater community.
• Fewer hospitalizations due to hip fractures; independent living residents experienced a 15% reduction.
• Significantly fewer hospitalizations for wounds; assisted living residents experienced a 36% reduction.
• CCRC residents had 11% fewer ER visits than those living independently and had 18% fewer fall-related admissions.

The study also found that senior housing residents had fewer hospitalizations for common, preventable conditions such as COPD and asthma (15% lower), dehydration (21% lower among CCRC residents), and urinary tract infections (lower across all community types). These decreases can be attributed to several factors, including:

• Access to Healthcare Services:  Senior living residents are 20% more likely to receive preventive care—including flu shots, screenings, and regular checkups—than older adults living alone, leading to earlier detection and better long-term health outcomes.
• Proactive Health Monitoring: Many senior living communities provide on-site wellness programs or partner with local healthcare professionals to identify and address potential health concerns early, before they become serious.
• Fall Prevention: Communities are thoughtfully designed to promote mobility and reduce risk, with features like grab bars, non-slip flooring, ample lighting, and accessible layouts that help prevent falls—the leading cause of hospitalization among older adults.
• Medication Management: Support with medication schedules and administration helps residents avoid complications from missed doses, incorrect use or drug interactions.
• Nutritional Support: Chef-prepared, well-balanced meals ensure residents receive the nutrients they need to maintain strength, energy and immune health.

Improved Outcomes for Residents with Dementia

For older adults living with neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, senior living communities, specifically memory care communities, can make a real difference. They provide stability, promote wellness, and can even help reduce healthcare costs.

In the top-performing communities—those with the lowest Medicare spending—residents with NDDs had fewer hospital visits, lower overall care costs, and more healthy days at home compared with older adults living alone or in nursing homes.

Research also shows that memory care can ease the burden on the nearly 12 million unpaid family and friends who provide unpaid care for loved ones with NDDs, offering both residents and caregivers greater peace of mind.

Longer Life, Better Living.

Perhaps the most striking finding from the NORC study is its impact on longevity. Older adults who move into senior living communities not only live longer but also receive better, more coordinated care than those who remain at home.

The study showed residents benefit from preventive health services, medication management and consistent in-home support that most senior living communities provide. On average, they receive 10 more days of home health care and four more days of preventive and rehabilitative services at home than peers living independently. They also spend three fewer days on antipsychotic medications, reflecting stronger clinical oversight and a more balanced approach to care.

Experts attribute these outcomes to the wellness-focused nature of community life—less daily stress, more social connection, greater cognitive engagement, and regular physical activity—all of which help older adults maintain vitality, independence, and a higher quality of life.

Lower Costs Over Time

The NORC study found that healthcare costs decline the longer residents live in senior housing.

• On average, total Medicare costs dropped by 24%—from $29,900 in Year 1 to $22,700 in Year 3, a savings of more than $7,000 per resident.
• Every age group—from 65 to 85 and older—saw meaningful reductions, with the youngest residents (65–74) showing the largest decrease over time.
• Out-of-pocket costs also fell by 21%, from $3,800 to $3,000 between Years 1 and 3, meaning residents spent nearly $1,000 less each year on their own healthcare expenses.

These findings suggest that the longer someone lives in a senior community, the more stable and affordable their healthcare becomes, thanks to preventive care, early intervention, and consistent support.

Where You Live Matters

The NORC study offers clear evidence of what many residents and families already know: senior living can enhance both quality and length of life. From improved health and reduced hospitalizations to lower long-term costs and greater peace of mind, the data confirms that these communities do far more than provide a safe place to live—they create environments where older adults can thrive. With wellness programs, preventive care, and meaningful connections built into daily life, senior living is redefining what healthy aging looks like. For those considering the next chapter, where you live really does matter. Use our community locator tool to find your community.

Where You Live Matters is powered by the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), a respected voice in the senior housing industry. ASHA primarily focuses on legislative and regulatory advocacy, research, and educational opportunities and networking for senior living executives, so they can better understand the needs of older adults across the country.

About NORC

Founded in 1941, NORC at the University of Chicago is a nonpartisan research organization known for its reliable data and rigorous analysis. NORC partners with government, business, and nonprofit leaders to turn complex information into practical insights that shape programs, policies, and everyday decisions. Learn more at www.norc.org

Additional sources:
Alzheimer’s Association