Survey: Residents Have High Opinion of Seniors Housing Care, but COVID-19 Has Hurt Reputation

by Jeff Shaw

CLACKAMAS, Ore. — The good news, according to a recent survey, is that residents in seniors housing communities largely believe that senior living provides good care. The bad news is that those who don’t live there believe the care is poor.

SeniorList, a Clackamas-based company that connects seniors with products, services and resources including seniors housing referrals, conducted the survey. Those over 65 and their families were questioned, with a total of 715 respondents.

Of the respondents who currently live in seniors housing, 71 percent said that senior living provides either good or excellent healthcare services. Unfortunately, for those who do not live in seniors housing, 70 percent of respondents believe the services are either just adequate or poor.

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 in a Kirkland, Wash., skilled nursing facility hasn’t helped perceptions. The virus infected 81 residents, 34 staff members and 14 visitors, killing 23, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Of the respondents, 43 percent said the incident negatively impacted their feelings about the safety of seniors housing. For respondents in Washington state (250 of the 715 who took the survey), that number rises to 47 percent.

To read the full survey results, click here.

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