Life Plan Communities Market Analysis

The Life Plan Communities Market size is expected to reach US$ 187.48 billion by 2030, from US$ 94.99 billion in 2023, at a CAGR of 10.2% during the forecast period.

Life plan communities, also known as continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), are retirement housing establishments that provide a continuum of accommodations and healthcare services. It includes independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care, allowing seniors to age in place. The growing elderly population and the rise in chronic diseases are the key factors driving the life plan communities market.

The Life Plan Communities Market is segmented by type, ownership, contract, and region. By type, the market is segmented into continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), assisted living facilities, independent living communities, skilled nursing facilities, and others. CCRCs held the largest market share in 2022 owing to the all-inclusive amenities and continuum of care offered in these communities.

Life Plan Communities Market Drivers:

• Increasing Elderly Population: The global population of individuals aged 65 and above is growing rapidly. According to the United Nations, the number of persons aged 65 or over is projected to grow from an estimated 727 million in 2020 to 1.5 billion in 2050. The share of the population aged 65 years or over increased from 9.1% in 2019 to 9.3% in 2020 globally. This exponential rise in the aging population is creating strong demand for continuing care retirement communities as seniors look for living options that can provide a continuum of care as they age. With life expectancy increasing worldwide, many seniors are looking to move into CCRCs that allow them to lead an independent life initially, while transitioning to higher levels of care seamlessly as per their health needs.
• Growing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases: The rising prevalence of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurological disorders, cancer, and respiratory diseases among the elderly is boosting the demand for CCRCs. Per the CDC, 6 in 10 adults in the US have a chronic disease and 4 in 10 adults have two or more chronic diseases. Chronic diseases are a leading driver of long-term care needs, creating the requirement for constant care and monitoring. CCRCs are equipped to provide regular skilled nursing, therapies, and medical care to seniors with chronic conditions, making them an ideal housing solution. The staff at CCRCs can coordinate care between different health providers and ensure medication adherence.
• Focus on Providing Value-Added Services and Amenities: Modern CCRCs are focused on providing unique amenities, engaging activities, home-like environment, and top-notch hospitality services to seniors along with healthcare. Communities are investing in improving amenities like fitness centers, pools, restaurants, salons, movie theaters, libraries, golf courses, walking trails etc. to attract seniors looking for an active lifestyle. Providing transportation, housekeeping, technologies, luxury accommodation, and maintenance services enables CCRCs to differentiate themselves. The value-added services and amenities make these communities more appealing than other long-term care options.
• Advancements in Medical Technologies: Advancements in medical technologies and healthcare services are making CCRCs more capable of providing high-quality care onsite to seniors. Improved diagnostics, remote patient monitoring, telehealth, mHealth tools, and point-of-care testing capabilities allow CCRCs to deliver better care. Electronic health records enable seamless care coordination. Robotics, AI, analytics help improve operational efficiencies. Medical advancements allow CCRCs to keep residents healthier and minimize hospital transfers, appealing to prospective residents.

Life Plan Communities Market Opportunities:

• Expansion into Developing Countries: There is significant potential for life plan communities to expand into developing countries across Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East. These countries have relatively lower penetration of CCRCs currently but are witnessing rapid growth in their senior populations. For instance, China’s 60+ population is expected to reach 362 million by 2030. The improving economic conditions and healthcare infrastructure in these countries provide major expansion opportunities for CCRC providers. Players can customize their offerings as per local culture and preferences. Strong marketing efforts raising awareness can aid penetration.
• Adoption of Telehealth and mHealth Solutions: Incorporating telehealth and mHealth technologies can help enhance care delivery while reducing costs for CCRCs. Telehealth solutions enable residents to virtually consult doctors, specialists without going to hospitals. mHealth apps and wearable allow remote monitoring of health parameters. These technologies can maximize convenience for residents, improve access to care, reduce hospital transfers, lower staffing requirements, and enable proactive health management. Their integration can be a competitive differentiator.
• Offering Home Healthcare Services: CCRCs can leverage their infrastructure and clinical workforce to provide home healthcare services to seniors living independently in the community. Services like in-home nursing care, physical therapy, telehealth, medical equipment delivery, medication management etc. can be offered. For CCRCs, this presents an excellent opportunity to generate additional revenues while also building deeper engagement with independent seniors who may become future residents.
• Focus on Post-Retirement Engagement Model: CCRCs can enhance their value proposition by not just providing housing and care to seniors but also engaging residents in meaningful pursuits post-retirement through volunteering, skill-building, social impact programs. Research shows continued lifelong learning and social connections are vital for seniors’ wellbeing. CCRCs can design programs keeping residents’ skills and interests in mind to help them remain active and lead a purposeful life. This can further boost satisfaction levels.

Life Plan Communities Market Restraints:

• High Membership and Monthly Costs: While CCRCs provide valuable services, the membership fees and monthly costs are often high, making affordability a challenge for many seniors. The entrance fees can range from $100,000 to $1,000,000 for couples looking for extensive contracts. Ongoing monthly fees also range in thousands based on unit size and services. The high costs often lead seniors to choose more affordable options like assisted living facilities or in-home care. Providers need to improve the perceived value for money to attract more middle-income seniors.
• COVID-19 Pandemic Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic has created inhibitions in the minds of seniors regarding communal senior living due to heightened concerns about infection transmission risks. Occupancy rates were impacted in 2020-2021. While vaccination campaigns have helped restore confidence, the pandemic impact has remained a restraining factor. Providers are conducting robust infection control programs to reassure residents. But rebuilding occupancy levels will take concerted efforts and time.
• Staffing Challenges: CCRCs require extensive clinical and non-medical workforce across different operations like nursing, therapy, foodservice, maintenance etc. However, staffing shortages, lack of training, high turnover due to burnout are key challenges. Staffing issues can compromise care quality. The tight labor market adds to the issues. Attracting and retaining skilled staff through training programs, career growth opportunities, incentives etc. remains an area of focus.