Assisted living residents still mostly Caucasian but trend shifts
Article continues below
However, the findings suggest a major attitude adjustment may be underway.
In 2010, the CDC reported 91% of assisted living residents were Caucasian.
At present, Caring.com found 64% of Caucasians would consider placing a parent in an assisted/independent living community versus 37% of African Americans and Hispanics.
The Caring.com survey also indicated that Hispanics and African Americans are much more open to senior living communities for themselves than their parents: 49% of Hispanics and 46% of African Americans would consider living in one of these communities themselves.
Caucasians feel about the same for themselves as they do for their parents.
Among those who don't want to live in an assisted or independent living community, the most popular explanation is they would prefer to live on their own, followed by they would prefer to live with a family member. Just 8% said these types of communities are too expensive.
64% of 30-64 year-olds would someday consider a senior living community for themselves. That drops to 53% for people age 65 and older.
Americans' interest in senior living communities increases with income and education.
Millennials are the least likely – by a wide margin – to consider assisted/independent living communities for their parents when they get older. ■