What is faith-based senior living?

When you’re helping someone choose a senior living community, location, size, amenities, care options, and cost all matter. Faith can be just as important, but it’s sometimes overlooked. Faith-based senior living brings together residents with shared spiritual interests and supports an active lifestyle that can include physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual well-being. This setting can help an older adult continue practicing their faith as part of everyday community life.

What are faith-based senior living communities?

A religious retirement community may be a good option if you or someone you support wants to live in a setting connected to a particular faith. These communities may have chapels, temples, or other spaces where residents can worship privately or with others who share their beliefs. A faith-based community may be especially worth exploring when religious practices involve dietary needs or other considerations that a secular community may not easily accommodate. Including these needs in your search can help you compare communities more thoughtfully.

Faith-based retirement communities come in several forms, and many operate as nonprofit organizations. Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also called life plan communities, are often run by faith-based groups. Their mission-based culture may appeal to older adults who want their beliefs reflected in community life. These communiies may also provide different levels of care as a resident’s needs change.

Who can live in a faith-based senior living community?

Almost all faith-based communities are open to people of every faith. Under the Fair Housing Act, communities aren’t allowed to discriminate based on religion,¹ so residents may hold a range of beliefs. Many faith-based communities welcome different perspectives and give residents opportunities to learn from one another and share their experiences. A community’s religious affiliation doesn’t necessarily mean every resident follows that religion.

Older adults who want to live among people with similar spiritual interests can explore communities associated with faith traditions such as:

• Catholic

• Christian

• Mormon

• Jewish

• Buddhist

• Methodist

• Presbyterian

• Lutheran

• Adventist

• Mennonite

• Episcopal

• Quaker

• Jehovah’s Witness

As of the time of this writing, few senior living communities are designed specifically around Muslim older adults’ spiritual and cultural needs. However, a growing movement is working to provide halal meals, access to Muslim doctors or therapists, and Friday prayers in some skilled nursing communities. Older adults and their care circles can ask individual communities which spiritual, cultural, and dietary accommodations are currently available.

Many faith-based communities offer several levels of care, including assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care. Amenities, services, and continuing care options vary by community. When comparing options, ask which levels of care are available and whether a resident can remain in the same community if their care needs change.

What are the benefits of faith-based communities?

If shared values and spiritual connection are important to you or someone you support, a faith-based community may provide a greater sense of familiarity and belonging. These communities are generally supportive of people regardless of religious affiliation and may encourage connection through shared cultural traditions, group prayer, or worship. Residents may find comfort in living among people who understand the role faith plays in their routines and personal choices.

A religious community can provide a steady source of support during difficult times. Meditation, reflection, worship, and connection with others may help residents focus on what matters to them and continue living with purpose. Familiar rituals and opportunities for quiet reflection may also offer stability when an older adult is adjusting to a new home and community.

Comfort, familiarity, support, and inner peace are often part of the culture in communities guided by faith-based values, even when they welcome people from other religions or those with no religious affiliation.

For a religious or spiritual person, one of the main benefits of choosing a senior living community with religious roots is the ability to maintain familiar practices. Residents may also find fellowship with others who share their beliefs. If you tour communities, you can ask members of the staff what faith-based activities there are.

Depending on the community, benefits may include:

• On-site worship services

• Religious studies

• Catholic Mass

• Religious activities

• Spiritual guidance

• Bible studies

• Spiritual services

• A sense of belonging

• Friendship

• Religious events and holiday celebrations

Faith-based senior living communities are typically nonprofit organizations. Because they don’t have shareholders, these communities can focus on resident care rather than shareholder profit.

Are faith-based communities limited to certain beliefs?

Faith-based senior living communities are generally open and welcoming to all residents. People of different faiths may live in a community associated with a particular religion. If you aren’t religious or don’t follow a specific faith, that doesn’t necessarily mean the community isn’t right for you. Other activities and programs may still fit your interests and way of life.

If you practice a particular faith, you may want to prioritize communities that offer relevant religious services on site. Some communities may provide daily Mass or meals that follow faith-based dietary practices.

Types of religion-based assisted living communities

Jewish senior living

For many people, practicing Judaism is both a religion and a way of life. A Jewish older adult may place a high priority on finding a community where they can follow their beliefs and live among others who share them.

Jewish faith-based assisted living communities may offer:

• Kosher foods

• Jewish services

• Observance of the Sabbath

• Celebrations of Jewish holy days

• A rabbi on site

• Trips to the synagogue

In a Jewish assisted living community, kosher meals may allow residents to follow their dietary practices while sharing meals with others who have similar needs.

Catholic senior living

Catholic nursing communities give residents opportunities to stay connected to their religion. Older adults may be able to pray with others or attend daily Mass, depending on what helps them feel most comfortable and engaged in their spiritual lives.

Catholic nursing communities are designed for older Catholics who want to practice their beliefs with fewer barriers. Residents may have access to Catholic churches and group prayer, helping them maintain familiar spiritual routines.

Some features of Catholic assisted living communities may include:

• Daily Mass

• Daily Communion

• Celebrations of Catholic holidays

• Daily confession

Christian senior living

Christian senior living care focuses on values such as compassion, love, and respect for each person. These communities aim to support residents’ minds, bodies, and spiritual lives as they age.

Christian senior living communities combine care with opportunities to practice one’s faith. Residents may visit with clergy, sing hymns, hear sermons from pastors or ministers, or join prayer groups led by chaplains. Some communities may also arrange trips to local churches or prayer meetings.

Faith-specific questions to ask an assisted living community

Religion is an important part of many people’s lives. Moving to an assisted living community connected to a religion involves many of the same decisions as any other move, along with a few added considerations. Religious communities may have different practices than secular communities, so take time to confirm that the community can respect your beliefs, preferences, and daily routines.

Before moving to a faith-based assisted living community, ask the management team how it supports residents’ care and spiritual needs. If faith is important to you, consider asking the following questions.

Religion-based questions to ask in senior living

• How qualified is the staff to provide care for older adults?

• How are staff members and professional caregivers educated about the community’s faith?

• Does the community accept people from different religious backgrounds?

• Are traditional meals, beverages, or treats available?

• How does the community observe holy days?

• What sacraments are available on site?

• Does the community respect multiple faiths?

• Which faith or religious order is affiliated with the community?

• In which languages are services available?

What can you find in faith-based senior housing?

Every older adult deserves compassion, care, and respect. Finding a faith-based community that fits both physical and spiritual needs can help you or someone you support feel more at home. Whether you’re considering assisted living or independent living, you may find options in both types of communities. Common offerings include:

• Religious services. Many communities have religious leaders on site, such as rabbis or priests, while nondenominational communities may offer access to leaders from several faiths. Services may include Christian Sunday worship, community prayer, Communion, daily rosaries, or the observance of Shabbat, the Sabbath.

• Places of worship. Faith-based communities typically have at least one place for worship or reflection. This may include a temple, chapel, church, statue of a holy figure, or prayer room.

• Recreational activities. Activities vary by community. Some may have a religious focus, while others may not.

• Food. If your religion involves dietary restrictions, ask how the community accommodates those needs.︎