Northwest residents are deeply concerned about the rising costs of aging. Eighty-three percent said they’re worried about affording the care and living arrangements they may need as they grow older—nearly half (46%) are “very concerned.”

When asked about senior living communities specifically:

• 69% are concerned about monthly living and care costs
• 50% say affordability is the most important factor when choosing senior care options

Despite these concerns, many respondents may underestimate the true cost of care. Average monthly cost estimates provided by respondents include:

• Skilled nursing facility: $5,664
• Memory care facility: $5,453
• Life plan community (Continuing Care Retirement Community): $4,220
• Assisted living community: $3,991
• Home care services: $3,305
• Active adult community: $2,680

External data forecasts assisted living in Washington and Oregon may exceed $7,000 per month in 2025—about 75% higher than the survey respondents’ average estimate.

Survey data show that Northwest residents are both concerned about and uncertain of the cost of care as they age. Many significantly underestimate the actual cost of senior care, and more than half say they don’t feel confident enough to provide an estimate.f

Below is the percentage of respondents who say they “don’t know enough to estimate” the typical monthly cost for various types of senior care in the region

• 71% for life plan (continuing care retirement) communities
• 63% for home care services
• 57% for memory care
• 54% for skilled nursing
• 52% for active adult communities
• 51% for assisted living communities

Most Pacific Northwest residents prefer to stay in their homes as they age. Sixty-five percent said they would prefer to age in place, while just 25% favor moving to a senior living community. Still, 63% are open to relocating to another town, city, or state for better senior care options.

Residents’ perceptions of senior living communities are mixed. When asked what first comes to mind, 40% of respondents shared positive associations, such as comfort, support, and physical safety. However, a slightly larger share (54%) expressed negative impressions. Common concerns included loneliness, high costs, understaffing, and fears of mistreatment or neglect.

Individuals have a range of concerns about senior living communities, with cost and quality topping the list. When presented with a list of possible issues, 69% cited the cost of living expenses and care as a primary concern, followed by quality of care and attention (60%) and the trustworthiness of staff (51%).

Generational differences shape concerns about senior living. Older adults are especially focused on affordability: 82% of Baby Boomers and 75% of Gen X said cost is a top issue. In contrast, younger generations are more likely to worry about loneliness and isolation. About half of Millennials (50%) and Gen Z (51%) cited social isolation as a primary concern, compared with 37% of Gen X and 31% of Baby Boomers.

Residents are divided in their comfort with AI’s application in senior care:

• 42% are comfortable with AI use
• 46% are concerned with AI use

More residents believe AI in health care is about efficiency and profitability, rather than patient outcomes. Thirty-six percent say AI is primarily about making health care more efficient and profitable for providers, while only 12% believe it is focused on improving patient outcomes. Thirty-two percent say both goals are equally accurate.

Many are unsure how AI tools are trained or used:

• 71% believe some people’s anonymized health data is used to train AI tools
• 45% believe their own data may be used
• 50% oppose their data being used; 38% support it

Eighty-six percent of residents say providers should disclose when AI is being used, typically across multiple areas of care. More than half want disclosure for activities such as summarizing patient notes, supporting medical diagnoses, conducting mental health assessments, and planning surgeries.

Data privacy concerns are also common. More than one-third of Northwest residents (37%) have been notified that their health data was involved in a data breach.

• 42% believe health care and tech providers share responsibility for data protection
• 29% place sole responsibility on health care providers for data protection; 17% on tech companies

Caregiver shortages remain a pressing issue in the Pacific Northwest. Many residents see a lack of qualified caregivers in their communities and are concerned about the region’s ability to attract and retain health care professionals.

• 65% report a shortage in their communities
• 72% are concerned about the ability to attract and retain health care professionals
• 31% have heard news about local staffing shortages

Only 19% believe their community has sufficient health care professionals. Shortages are more commonly reported in rural and suburban areas (69% and 66%) than in urban ones (57%).

Nearly all Northwest residents (95%) are concerned about the potential consequences of health care turnover and staffing shortages. The most pressing concerns stated include:

• 48% cited patient neglect
• 40% mentioned increased care-related errors
• 39% worry about delays in routine care
• 34% cited diminished compassion and disrupted continuity of care

Most residents support government and employer action to strengthen the health care workforce. To boost staffing and retention, respondents showed the strongest support for benefits like paid family leave (82%) and increased funding for health care and training programs (80%). Many also favor tax incentives for health care workers (76%) and expanded hiring from international or out-of-region candidates (67%).

By contrast, fewer support easing credentialing requirements or using AI to address staffing gaps. Only 42% support lowering legal and credentialing barriers, and 46% back greater use of AI for administrative tasks, making these the least popular solutions. Younger adults are more likely than older adults to support credentialing changes (51% vs. 34%).

Potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid funding are a major concern for Pacific Northwest residents. Many are worried about how such reductions could affect recipients’ ability to afford or access local health care.

• 78% expressed concern overall
• 54% are very concerned about access to care

Black residents in the Northwest express heightened concern about potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. Ninety-three percent of Black respondents said they are concerned about reduced funding, a 15-point increase over the total sample (78%). Concern levels were similar among Asian (78%), Hispanic/Latino (79%), and White (77%) respondents.

Seventy percent of Black respondents also expect a large negative impact from potential funding cuts, compared with 51% of Asian respondents, 52% of Hispanic/Latino respondents, and 58% of White respondents.

Note: Black respondents represented 4% of the total sample, consistent with regional demographics. Findings should be considered directional due to sample size.

Older generations are especially concerned about potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. Concern about the impact of reduced funding on recipients’ ability to afford or access care increases with age:

• Baby Boomers: 61% very concerned
• Gen X: 56% very concerned
• Millennials: 51% very concerned
• Gen Z and younger: 45% very concerned

Read the Press Release (pdf)