NORC Study Highlights How Senior Living Supports Health and Longevity

Key Takeaways
1. Senior living supports longer, healthier lives.
2. Social engagement and community design improve well-being.
3. Residents move in with more complex health needs.
4. Wellness and preventive care make a difference.
5. Better outcomes for residents living with neurodegenerative diseases.

According to new research from NORC at the University of Chicago, moving to a senior living community – whether independent living, assisted living, or memory care – demonstrates that where you live matters.

The NORC study highlighted how senior living communities can improve health and enhance quality of life, while reducing frailty, hospitalizations, and healthcare costs – generating Medicare savings for roughly half of assisted living residents and nearly one-third of those in independent living.

The results were clear:

Healthier Living Reduces Costs

The new study offers compelling evidence of what many residents already know – life in a senior living community supports better health, well-being, longevity, and overall quality of life. By combining opportunities for meaningful social engagement with a proactive, preventive approach to care, senior living communities help residents stay connected, reduce loneliness, and experience greater life satisfaction – all while lowering healthcare costs over time. The research also found that these benefits can translate into measurable Medicare savings – reducing costs for roughly 50% of assisted living residents and 30% of those in independent living.

The Earlier The Move to Senior Living, The Greater the Benefit

Researchers tracked thousands of older adults before and after their move into senior housing. The researchers examined how senior living affects residents’ health and medical costs over time and found that those who remain in senior living experience greater stability and use fewer hospital and emergency services. By the third year, only one in four residents had a hospital admission compared with one in three during their first year, while emergency visits dropped 14%. Average Medicare costs per resident were also about $7,200 lower in year three than in year one.

“That first year is everything,” said Dianne Munevar, Vice President at NORC at the University of Chicago, during a presentation on the findings. “If you can help people move into senior housing sooner and extend their time there, the benefits multiply over time.”

She added that by year six, residents enjoyed more healthy days, fewer hospitalizations and skilled nursing stays, and lower overall care costs, underscoring the lasting health advantages of senior living.

David Schless, president and CEO of the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), said that for senior housing providers, these findings underscore the value of proactive wellness programs and early intervention strategies that support residents during their first year – when engagement, preventive care and connection can make the greatest difference.

Better Outcomes for Residents with Dementia

For residents living with dementia or other neurodegenerative conditions, senior living communities offer coordinated care within a safe, structured, and supportive environment—helping to reduce hospitalizations, prevent crises, and ease the emotional and physical strain on family caregivers.

The NORC study noted that one of the greatest advantages of senior living, compared with remaining at home, is access to effective care management and care coordination. In communities that specialize in memory care and cognitive support, residents benefit from consistent oversight, specialized programming and staff trained to recognize and respond to changes in behavior or health. According to the report, these approaches foster greater stability and safety for individuals experiencing dementia and other forms of cognitive decline, while also offering families reassurance that their loved ones are receiving attentive, compassionate care every day.

The Future of Senior Living: Turning Insights Into Action

The NORC findings underscore the growing need to bridge hospitality and healthcare within senior living. Today’s older adults expect communities to deliver not just comfort and connection, but also wellness, preventive care, and proactive health management.

“The number of older adults who require special care is growing, and senior housing operators are looking to provide effective, efficient solutions to meet their unique healthcare needs,” said Lisa McCracken, Head of Research and Analytics at the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC). “These findings suggest that senior housing communities can reduce the burden on caregivers and the healthcare system while promoting the overall health and well-being of older adults.”

Looking ahead, industry leaders emphasized the importance of stronger partnerships between senior living organizations, health plans, and risk-bearing providers to demonstrate value and improve care coordination. Many communities are already moving toward value-based care models that align quality outcomes with sustainable operational success.

The Bottom Line

The NORC findings reaffirm what ASHA and senior living professionals have long championed: senior living communities play a vital role in helping older adults maintain independence, improve well-being and enjoy peace of mind about the future.

By choosing a senior living community that fits your lifestyle and needs, you’re not just finding a new place to live – you’re choosing a healthier, more supported way to live. Use our community locator tool to find the community that’s right for you.

Where You Live Matters

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.