If you’re looking for senior housing for yourself or a loved one, chances are you’ll see a few names pop up a lot: Brookdale, Sunrise, Atria. These are among the top senior housing companies in the United States.
Argentum, a trade association, compiles rankings of senior living providers every year. After55.com is providing this review of the top 12, or those companies with the capacity for at least 8,000 residents in 2022.
1. Brookdale Senior Living Solutions
- Residents: 60,000
- Communities: 675
- Headquarters: Brentwood, Tennessee
Brookdale is the giant among senior living companies, with more than 675 retirement communities in over 40 states. With 55,902 total units, Brookdale has the ability to house more than 60,000 residents. Brookdale offers a range of senior living solutions, including independent living, assisted living, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), and memory care.
2. Atria Senior Living, Inc.
- Residents: 39,000+
- Communities: 370+
- Headquarters: Louisville, KY
Atria provides assisted living and memory care in 23 locations throughout the United States. They’re known for their sustainability efforts and are LEED and Energy Star certified. Atria Senior Living is also a member of IREM and the US Green Building Council.
3. Life Care Services
- Residents: 40,000
- Communities: 140
- Headquarters: Des Moines, Iowa
Life Care Services, an LCS company, operates senior living communities nationwide. Senior living facilities include independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and continuing care. Its parent company, LCS, operates other senior-living businesses, including home health care.
4. Five Star Senior Living
- Residents: 14,600
- Communities: 140
- Headquarters: Newton, Massachusetts
About Five Star Senior Living: Five Star is the third-largest provider of both assisted living and memory care in the U.S. It has senior-living communities in 28 states. It is part of AlerisLife, a company that also offers Ageility, a leading provider of inpatient and outpatient therapy for older adults living in senior communities.
5. Erickson Senior Living
- Residents: 28,000
- Communities: 20
- Headquarters: Catonsville, Maryland
Erickson mainly provides independent living, though its communities also offer in-home care, on-site medical centers, and continuing care. Erickson has communities in 11 states, with a large concentration along the East Coast.
6. Sunrise Senior Living
- Residents: 20,000+
- Communities: 270+
- Headquarters: McLean, Virginia
Sunrise is the sixth-largest assisted living provider in the country. Founded in 1981, Sunrise Senior Living prioritizes a holistic approach to senior living, with an emphasis on quality of live. Sunrise communities are very pet-friendly, and many communities have resident pets living in the communities full-time. Many are senior pets adopted from local animal shelters. Residents are welcome to bring their own pets when they move in, as well.
7. Senior Lifestyle Corp.
- Residents: 10,000+
- Communities: 130+
- Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
About Senior Lifestyle Corp.: Senior Lifestyle has communities in 27 states. Senior Lifestyle focuses on creating a vibrant, healthy lifestyle, and they focus on nutrition, health and wellness, and social connections.
8. Discovery Senior Living
- Residents: 10,000+
- Communities: 110
- Headquarters: Bonita Springs, FL
Discovery Senior Living has 110 communities across 19 states and is committed to providing quality, comprehensive care and services to residents and their families. Discovery Senior Living is nationally recognized for its innovative memory care program, which takes a holistic and person-centered approach to dementia and Alzheimer’s.
9. Integral/Solstice Senior Living
- Residents: 9,400+
- Communities: 110
- Headquarters: Carlsbad, CA
Integral/Solstice Senior Living has 110 communities across the country and provides award-winning programs for seniors, including personalized care plans, restaurant-style dining, and a resident-inspired social calendar.
10. Watermark Retirement Communities
- Residents: 15,000+
- Communities: 70+
- Headquarters: Tucson, AZ
Watermark provides more than 70 communities in 22 states. The company provides a variety of award-winning programs, such as Watermark University, which offers a full calendar of classes and events for residents.
11. Frontier Management
- Residents: 30,000+
- Communities: 130
- Headquarters: Dallas, TX
Frontier provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities in 19 states. The company is known for its award-winning SPARK program, which strives to keep seniors socially engaged through activities based on personal interests and abilities. Some programs include beer making, cooking, and gardening.
12. Enlivant
- Residents: 28,000+
- Communities: 200+
- Headquarters: Chicago, IL
Founded in 1981, Enlivant specializes in assisted living, though it also offers independent living and memory care in some communities. Enlivant provides quality care and services, including chef-prepared meals, activities, and wellness programs.
