Data from the Federal government’s first national survey of residential long term care providers has been released. The survey, participated in by many ALFA members, analyzed the characteristics of senior living communities across the country.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released key findings from the 2010 National Survey of Residential Care Facilities, which surveyed residential care communities such as assisted living communities and personal care homes with four or more elder resident. Researchers estimated that there are 31,100 residential care communities, providing a total of 971,900 residents. The survey found a majority (81 percent) of residents live in large (26-100 residents) or extra large (more than 100 residents) residential care communities. Generally, the larger the senior living community, the more likely it was to provide extra services for senior living residents. For example, 61 percent of extra large senior living communities provided occupational therapy for residents, compared to only 30 percent of small (4-10 residents) communities.

42 percent of residential care communities were located in the West, providing homes for 245 residents for every 1,000 people aged 85 or older. Only eight percent were located in the northeast, providing homes for 131 residents for every 1,000 people aged 85 or older. Of all residential care communities, 82 percent were owned privately, for profit, and 38 percent of all communities were affiliated with a multi-state provider. Almost half of those surveyed reported at least one resident who paid for services through Medicaid.

To learn more, read the data brief released by the CDC on the findings.  ALFA continues to work with the CDC to help better understand the results of the survey, and the potential uses of it to shape public policy.

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