When you’re considering senior living for yourself or a loved one, you want more than glossy brochures and polished marketing. You want real-life insight into what life is actually like inside a community.
Resident and family satisfaction surveys are one way to get that perspective. These surveys gather feedback from the people who know best: those who live in the community and the families who visit and stay involved. They cover important topics like quality of care, communication with staff, dining, activities, safety, and overall value.
High satisfaction scores show that staff, residents, and families collaborate. They work together to build a safe, supportive, and engaging community. Surveys can help you narrow your shortlist to just communities where family members consistently report a positive experience.
It’s important to know that not all communities participate in satisfaction surveys or share results. However, some states require senior living operators to both conduct surveys and post results online. There are also a few national consumer-led surveys that can be publicly accessed. Understanding where and how to find this information online can help you make a confident, informed choice.
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Some states conduct standardized statewide surveys in skilled nursing communities, assisted living communities, or both. These surveys measure residents’ quality of life and family members’ satisfaction.
If you live in a state that shares results, you can compare communities side-by-side online to see how families rate their experiences. This clarity is useful when choosing between communities that seem alike.
If your state publishes family satisfaction results, start with your state’s Department of Health or Department of Aging website. Look for tools called a “Long-Term Care Quality Navigator” or “Consumer Guide.” These tools contain survey data and other helpful details. For example, they may include contact information, bed availability, and service descriptions.
If results aren’t posted publicly, you can still:
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Even if your state doesn’t publish survey results, you can find communities with consistently high satisfaction scores through national surveys. Two top sources are the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Senior Living ratings and the J.D. Power U.S. Senior Living Satisfaction Study℠.
Every year, U.S. News & World Report releases its Best Senior Living ratings. These ratings use surveys to compare independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities across the country. The 2025 edition analyzed nearly 450,000 resident and family survey responses from over 3,800 communities.
The surveys ask detailed questions about:
Only communities that meet the strict, data-driven standards receive a “Best Senior Living” designation.
U.S. News also gives “High Performing” awards in key areas, including:
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These category awards show communities that shine in certain areas, even if they aren’t the top overall performers. If you or your loved one is a foodie, a High Performing award in Dining could be important to you, for example.
The U.S. News database allows you to search for communities online and filter by location, community type, and size. You can review each community’s survey-based ratings for the care type you’re considering. You’ll see how many families completed surveys, the overall rating, and individual category ratings. The site provides details on services and amenities for each community. It also includes photos and location information.
Kisco Senior Living Communities are regularly awarded the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Senior Living Award. You’ll find other individual community family satisfaction and industry awards on our website.
The annual J.D. Power study measures satisfaction for independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities. Only participating companies can access the full study results. However, online press releases list the top-ranked senior living communities and often highlight their best categories. The 2025 press release can be found here.
The research evaluates factors such as:
J.D. Power separates its analysis by living type, which means you can see which brands perform best in the specific level of care you or your loved one needs. Even without full access, the public announcements can give you a short list of high-scoring operators to explore further.
Resident and family satisfaction scores offer a candid look at daily life in senior living, including safety, quality of care, and the way staff and management interact with residents.
Current residents and family members see a side of community life that may be different from what you’ll observe during a tour. They notice patterns over time, like whether staff are attentive, how well a community addresses concerns, and whether they or a loved one seems engaged and happy.
Reviewing resident and family satisfaction scores can:
At the end of the day, finding the right senior living community is about more than amenities and location. It’s about finding a place where you or your loved one will feel happy, safe, and valued. Satisfaction scores can be a very useful tool in guiding your decision, understanding your unique needs and concerns.
Satisfaction scores help you create a more complete picture of a community’s strengths and areas for improvement. However, surveys are not your only information resource. Other resources include in-person tours, state inspection reports and Medicare Care Compare, and your own conversations with staff and residents.
A combination of objective data and personal impressions empowers you to choose not just a place to live, but a place to feel at home.
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Federal Regulations for Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Communities: What You Should Know
How to Use the CMS Care Compare Tool to Research Skilled Nursing and Rehab Communities
At Kisco Senior Living, we want you to have a complete understanding of our communities’ capabilities and the peace of mind that comes from knowing your loved one will be cared for with dignity, respect, and compassion. We welcome your questions, encourage you to review our satisfaction survey results, and invite you to see firsthand what makes our communities feel like home.
Disclaimer: Information provided above may vary by community. We encourage you to speak directly with each Senior Living community to confirm specific details and ensure the community is the right fit for your individual needs and preferences.
