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A survey commissioned by A Place for Mom found that older adults were more likely to say nursing homes meet practical needs than personal needs such as privacy and independence. Respondents also cited difficulty identifying trustworthy communities and said firsthand accounts, transparent pricing and access to records could help build confidence.
A survey of 1,391 adults ages 60 to 90 found that more respondents believe senior living facilities meet practical needs than personal ones, including privacy and independence. The report, commissioned by A Place for Mom and conducted by Morning Light Strategy, points to a concern for nursing homes and other senior living providers as they seek to show prospective residents what daily life and choice can look like.
About 54% of respondents said facilities met practical needs, such as care and meals, while 34% said personal needs, including privacy and independence, were fulfilled. The survey covered senior living broadly, including nursing homes; the report does not give a separate breakdown for nursing home respondents.
Respondents saw benefits in receiving support: 37% cited maintenance-free living, and 30% said having help available if their needs changed was a major advantage. But they also identified trade-offs. Less privacy was a major disadvantage for 42%, while 36% cited losing control over daily life. Losing independence and leaving home and the surrounding neighborhood were each cited by 35%.
Most respondents did not expect a near-term move. Only 7% said they might need nursing home care within two years; 35% said they would consider moving if circumstances changed unexpectedly, and 18% were unsure when they might consider care. Ten percent said nursing home care would be a last resort.
Choice and Privacy Shape Care Decisions
The findings suggest that prospective residents weigh more than the availability of meals, help and safety when thinking about senior care. Their concerns about privacy, control and independence can affect whether they view a facility as a suitable place to live, particularly when they hope to retain familiar routines and relationships.
The report recommends that families ask providers specific questions about daily schedules, meals, visitors, activities and how support can adapt as care needs change. Those details can help families compare communities against an older adult’s preferences, rather than relying only on a broad discussion of which care setting is appropriate.
Trust is another factor in that decision. Fifty-six percent said finding a trustworthy community was difficult, and 22% said they were very confident that community caregivers were well trained. The report found that inspection and licensing records, transparent pricing, and private conversations with current residents or their families were among the information sources that could help build trust.
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What Older Adults Say Builds Trust
Respondents said personal experience and recommendations help shape their views. Fifty-four percent said knowing someone who lived in a facility influenced their opinions, while 36% said family and friends affected their decision-making. Twenty-nine percent said visiting a facility influenced them.
About 45% had visited a nursing home, and 65% had had an in-depth conversation about another person’s experience in a facility. Among those who had such conversations, 81% said the person’s experience met or exceeded expectations. These findings describe respondents’ reported experiences and perceptions; they do not independently measure care quality at facilities.
The report also connects a sense of belonging with welcome, relationships and continuity. Sixty-one percent said being welcomed by staff and residents would be a positive, while 57% said relationships with people at a similar stage of life would add to belonging. A Place for Mom is a senior care referral platform whose site includes reviews of communities and home care agencies.
Limits of the Survey Findings
The report summarizes responses from 1,391 adults ages 60 to 90, but the supplied material does not provide details on the survey’s sampling method, margin of error or respondent demographics beyond age. It also does not specify how many participants were considering nursing homes as opposed to other senior living options.
The findings reflect perceptions and reported experiences, not an inspection or independent assessment of facilities. The report does not identify particular communities or establish whether residents’ views differ by location, care needs or facility type. It is also unclear how the results compare with earlier surveys, as no prior baseline is provided.
Questions Families Can Ask Providers
The report encourages families to begin conversations before a move becomes urgent, even though few respondents anticipated needing nursing home care soon. It points to practical questions about privacy, routines, visitors, meals and changing care needs as ways to clarify whether a community fits an older adult’s preferences.
Families can also seek information the report says may build trust: review inspection and licensing records, ask about staff qualifications, request transparent pricing, tour the community and, where possible, speak privately with current residents or their families. The report does not announce a follow-up study or new policy action; how providers respond to the findings remains unknown.
Key Questions
What did the survey find about nursing home needs?
About 54% said facilities met practical needs, while 34% said personal needs such as privacy and independence were fulfilled. The survey covered senior living broadly and did not provide a nursing-home-only breakdown.
What did respondents identify as drawbacks?
Less privacy was cited as a major disadvantage by 42% of respondents. Other concerns included losing control over daily life (36%), losing independence (35%) and leaving home and the surrounding neighborhood (35%).
How many respondents expected to move into a nursing home soon?
Seven percent said they might need nursing home care within two years. Thirty-five percent said they would consider a move if circumstances changed unexpectedly; 18% did not know when they might consider it.
What information could help families evaluate a community?
The report points to inspection and licensing records, transparent pricing, staff qualifications and private conversations with residents or their families. Visits and questions about everyday routines can also help families compare options.
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