Five-Star Insights: Latest J.D. Power Senior Living Satisfaction Survey by LCS Discovery
LCS, Discovery Senior Living, and AlerisLife’s Five Star Senior Living brand have emerged as the top-rated operators in the latest J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Senior Living Satisfaction Study.
Released on November 19, J.D. Power’s annual study evaluates resident and family member satisfaction on a 1,000-point scale. This year, overall satisfaction in assisted living and memory care has increased by 12 points compared to 2024, while independent living satisfaction has surged by 25 points.
LCS achieved the highest score for independent living satisfaction, earning an impressive 831. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, LCS has maintained the number one position for seven consecutive years. Discovery Senior Living followed closely in second place with a score of 761, while Five-Star Senior Living secured third place with a score of 757.
The average score for independent living this year was 753.
“Earning a J.D. Power award for the seventh consecutive year is a powerful testament to the trust our residents place in us and the exceptional commitment our teams bring to their communities every day,” stated Chris Bird, CEO of LCS, in a press release. “Our residents’ confidence in the experience and care we provide is the highest honor we can receive, and we are grateful for their continued support.”
In the assisted living and memory care categories, Discovery Senior Living ranked highest with a score of 884. Atria Senior Living followed with a score of 879, and Frontier Senior Living came in third at 877. The average score for assisted living was 867.
“We’re seeing noteworthy gains in satisfaction across all areas of the senior living experience, even in prices paid for services,” remarked Andrea Stokes, hospitality and senior living practice lead at J.D. Power, in a press release. “One area showing improvement this year, particularly in the independent living segment, is satisfaction with community staff. That is a milestone achievement for an industry that continues to face staffing challenges.”
To assess an operator’s satisfaction score, seniors and their family members rank their experiences across six key factors: community buildings and grounds, community staff, dining, price paid for services received, resident activities, and resident apartment/living unit. This year, the survey collected 2,917 responses from May to August.
Dining and activities were significant contributors to the improvements in assisted living and memory care satisfaction. Dining satisfaction alone saw an 11-point increase year-over-year, while activities experienced an eight-point boost. Additionally, the quality of living units contributed to a seven-point increase.
In independent living, improvements compared to last year were primarily driven by the quality of paid services, which saw a remarkable 28-point increase. Community staff satisfaction was rated 25 points higher than the previous year, and community buildings and grounds received a 21-point increase as well.
LCS, Discovery Senior Living, and AlerisLife’s Five Star Senior Living brand have emerged as the top-rated operators in the latest J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Senior Living Satisfaction Study.
Released on November 19, J.D. Power’s annual study evaluates resident and family member satisfaction on a 1,000-point scale. This year, overall satisfaction in assisted living and memory care has increased by 12 points compared to 2024, while independent living satisfaction has surged by 25 points.
LCS achieved the highest score for independent living satisfaction, earning an impressive 831. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, LCS has maintained the number one position for seven consecutive years. Discovery Senior Living followed closely in second place with a score of 761, while Five-Star Senior Living secured third place with a score of 757.
The average score for independent living this year was 753.
“Earning a J.D. Power award for the seventh consecutive year is a powerful testament to the trust our residents place in us and the exceptional commitment our teams bring to their communities every day,” stated Chris Bird, CEO of LCS, in a press release. “Our residents’ confidence in the experience and care we provide is the highest honor we can receive, and we are grateful for their continued support.”
In the assisted living and memory care categories, Discovery Senior Living ranked highest with a score of 884. Atria Senior Living followed with a score of 879, and Frontier Senior Living came in third at 877. The average score for assisted living was 867.
“We’re seeing noteworthy gains in satisfaction across all areas of the senior living experience, even in prices paid for services,” remarked Andrea Stokes, hospitality and senior living practice lead at J.D. Power, in a press release. “One area showing improvement this year, particularly in the independent living segment, is satisfaction with community staff. That is a milestone achievement for an industry that continues to face staffing challenges.”
To assess an operator’s satisfaction score, seniors and their family members rank their experiences across six key factors: community buildings and grounds, community staff, dining, price paid for services received, resident activities, and resident apartment/living unit. This year, the survey collected 2,917 responses from May to August.
Dining and activities were significant contributors to the improvements in assisted living and memory care satisfaction. Dining satisfaction alone saw an 11-point increase year-over-year, while activities experienced an eight-point boost. Additionally, the quality of living units contributed to a seven-point increase.
In independent living, improvements compared to last year were primarily driven by the quality of paid services, which saw a remarkable 28-point increase. Community staff satisfaction was rated 25 points higher than the previous year, and community buildings and grounds received a 21-point increase as well.
