Life expectancy around the world continues to increase steadily. According to the National Institute on Aging, the nation’s 90-and-older population is projected to more than quadruple over the next four decades. And the U.S. Census Bureau reports that the percentage of married seniors over the age of 60 has increased over the past several decades, while the number of widows has decreased. Therefore, more elderly couples will be living longer and may need to move into an assisted living community together.
Typically, more single individuals live in assisted living communities than couples. But an assisted living community can be the perfect solution to make each person in the marriage happy, healthy, and safe—especially when one spouse may no longer be able to continue to care properly for the other. Apartment options range from private studios to one- or two-bedroom units so they can choose a housing option that best fits their needs. Some assisted living communities have campuses to accommodate both assisted living and memory care. One spouse can live in assisted living while the other resides in the memory care wing. This arrangement allows them to be with each other while still getting their specific needs met.
Perhaps the care needs are vastly different within the couple, each individual will pay for the services they require or no care services if that is the case. The spouse with little or no care needs would pay for only room and board or pay for the room plus the cost of an additional person. Most communities will be able to accommodate a couple based on their mix of unique needs and apartment types.
It can be a difficult process to move one parent into assisted living, but moving a couple can increase your stress and complicate your decision. Make a list of what is most critical for their health and happiness. Preparation will help you focus and narrow your choices. Get recommendations for communities from friends and family. And try to plan ahead, this is not a decision to force during a crisis or health emergency.
When touring a community for your parents, keep in mind their needs as a couple but also their individual physical, medical, and emotional needs. Take the time to tour a variety of communities; it’s important they are both comfortable. Is one more social than the other? Is dad cognitively impaired? Is mom more active and mobile? The amenities, activities, and medical care should be considered for both. It will be a balancing act to get the appropriate care and accommodate their personalities. Compromises will be made but both can still be very happy.
The thought of living apart after 50 years or more of marriage would be heartbreaking or devastating for any couple. But if they can no longer live on their own, an assisting living community can be an excellent fit for both. And with each other, the move into a new community can be made easier together.
Tour an Aegis Living community near you to speak with a community professional or one of our happy couples.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.