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War Baby & Baby Boomer Living Arrangements (2025 – 2060)

Generational Context
"War Babies" typically refers to Americans born during World War II (roughly 1939–1945), and "Baby Boomers" to those born in the post-war boom (1946–1964). As of the mid-2020s, these cohorts are entering or well into older age – war babies are in their 80s and boomers range from early 60s to late 70s. This analysis defines key stages of aging for these generations and examines where they are likely living at each stage – spanning living in their own homes (aging in place), moving to independent senior communities, transitioning into assisted living facilities, entering nursing homes for 24/7 care, and finally utilizing hospice care at end-of-life. We break down these trends over time (from now until the cohort's eventual passing by approximately 2060–2070) on a state-by-state basis, highlighting differences and projections in 5–10 year increments.
The estimated distribution of the War Baby & Baby Boomer cohort by living arrangement over time (2025–2060) shows the total cohort size (in millions) declining as they age and pass away, while the proportion needing assisted living or nursing home care rises sharply in later years.
Stage 1 (Mid-2020s): Active Retirement – Living Independently at Home
Characteristics
In 2025, baby boomers are age approximately 61–79 and war babies approximately 80–86. Most are living independently, either in their long-time homes or in age-restricted "independent living" communities (senior apartments or retirement villages offering amenities but no daily care). A small minority resides in care facilities at this stage, as the oldest boomers are in their late 70s and just beginning to experience significant frailty.
National Trends
Roughly 93–96% of these older adults still live in the community (non-institutionalized) – either alone or with spouses/family. Many enjoy relatively good health: over 80% of seniors 65+ are non-disabled and living at home as of the 2000s. Only approximately 4% live in any kind of long-term care facility at this stage (about 2% in assisted living and 2–3% in nursing homes). For example, of approximately 56 million Americans 65+ in 2020, approximately 1.3 million (2.3%) were nursing home residents and 0.82 million (1.5%) were in assisted living. The vast majority (54 million or 96%) either live in their own homes or in independent senior housing. Federal policy also incentivizes "aging in place," keeping seniors out of nursing homes when possible.
State Differences (2025)
States vary in the size and concentration of their senior populations, which influences living arrangement patterns:
Highest Senior Populations: California (approximately 6.3 million age 65+ in 2023), Florida (approximately 4.9 million), Texas (approximately 4 million), New York (approximately 3.5 million), and Pennsylvania (approximately 2.4 million) have the largest absolute numbers of older adults. These states correspondingly have many independent seniors at home, but also the greatest number of retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and care beds simply due to population size. (For example, California, Texas, and Florida each have thousands of senior living communities, with Florida's senior housing industry especially large given its popularity as a retirement destination.)
Oldest Populations by Percentage: Maine (approximately 23% of residents 65+ in 2023), Florida (approximately 21.7%), West Virginia (approximately 21.5%), Vermont (approximately 22.1%), and Delaware (approximately 21.3%) lead in share of seniors. These states (especially Maine and West Virginia) tend to have more aging-in-place scenarios in rural areas – many seniors remaining in their homes – but also face rising demand for care services due to limited younger populations. For instance, Maine's 65+ share (22.99% in 2023) is projected to hit 26.5% by 2030, among the highest in the nation. Florida by contrast has both a high percentage and a large absolute number of seniors; many live independently now, but Florida also leads in availability of senior living options (it ranks among top states in both 55+ communities and assisted living facilities).
Independent Living Preferences: Culturally, some states lean toward keeping elders at home with family. For example, Hawaii (21% 65+ in 2023) has a tradition of multi-generational households and thus fewer seniors in mainland-style retirement homes – reflected in one of the lowest nursing home usage rates. In 2020, New York and Hawaii had some of the lowest hospice and nursing home utilization, indicating many seniors receive care at home or in the community. By contrast, some Midwestern states like Iowa historically had a high number of nursing facilities per capita (Iowa has 412 nursing homes serving approximately 71,500 seniors 85+, the most per elderly capita in the U.S.). As of the 2020s, however, even these states have shifted toward more in-home and assisted living care (nationwide, the proportion of 85+ in nursing homes has dropped from approximately 24% in 1990 to approximately 8% today, thanks to alternatives like assisted living).
Home & Community Living: A key Stage 1 trend is many seniors living alone: approximately 28% of Americans 65+ live solo (over 16 million people, mostly widowed women). This creates demand for services like home health aides, but does not yet push most into facilities. States with high rural senior populations (e.g. Mississippi, Arkansas) often see seniors staying in their own homes due to strong family networks or limited local facilities. Meanwhile, Sunbelt states (Arizona, the Carolinas, etc.) attract healthy retirees to active adult communities – a form of independent living where boomers live in planned retirement subdivisions or condo complexes. Arizona, for instance, has large 55+ communities (Sun City, etc.) where thousands of boomers reside independently with recreational amenities; these do not count as "facilities" since no daily care is provided.
Assisted Living/Nursing Homes (2025)
At this early stage, only the oldest war babies (mid-80s) or those with significant health issues live in care facilities. States with older age profiles have slightly higher rates of facility use. North Dakota, for example, has a small population but historically a high rate of nursing home residency among its seniors (owing to robust long-term care infrastructure). Still, in all states the majority of boomers/war babies in the 2020s are living at home, not yet needing institutional care. Even in Florida, which has the most nursing home residents (approximately 66,000 in 2022) due to its large senior base, that represents only approximately 1.3% of Florida's 65+ population (4.9M).
State-by-State Snapshot (2025)
State Total War Baby + Boomer Pop (2025) Living at Home Assisted Living Residents Nursing Home Residents
California ~7.8 million (ages ~61–86) ≈7.5 million (95%+ at home; many in 55+ communities in CA's cities) ~50,000 (0.6%) ~93,000 (1.2%)
Florida ~5.0 million ≈4.85 million (97% at home; large retiree population aging in place) ~42,000 (0.8%) ~67,000 (1.3%)
New York ~3.3 million ≈3.2 million (96%+ at home; many live with family) ~30,000 (0.9%) ~93,000 (2.8%) (NY has higher nursing home use in Northeast)
West Virginia ~0.37 million ≈0.35 million (94% at home; rural aging in place common) ~2,000 (0.5%) ~5,000 (1.5%)
Maine ~0.30 million ≈0.28 million (93% at home; many rural seniors) ~1,500 (0.5%) ~5,000 (1.7%)
U.S. Average ~70 million (War+Boom combined) ~67 million (96%) living independently at home/with family ~1 million (~1.5%) in assisted living ~1.3 million (~2%) in nursing homes
Key Takeaway (Stage 1): Through the mid-2020s, the vast majority of war babies & boomers remain in their own homes, living independently. Many are still in a "young-old" phase (60s/70s) requiring no daily assistance. States with large or fast-growing retiree communities (e.g. Florida, Arizona, South Carolina) see booming independent living developments – but again, these are housing choices, not care institutions. Only a small fraction (mostly in their 80s+) have transitioned to assisted living facilities (for help with daily tasks) or nursing homes (for 24-hour medical care). Public policy and personal preference align to keep seniors out of institutions as long as possible, so at this stage every state – even those with the oldest populations – has approximately 95% of this cohort outside of nursing homes.
Stage 2 (Early 2030s): Transitional Phase – Increasing Assistance Needed
Characteristics
By 2030, all baby boomers will be 65 or older. The leading-edge boomers (born late 1940s) will enter their early 80s, and war babies approach 90. This stage marks a significant demographic shift: the "young-old" boomers (ages 65–74) give way to a rapidly growing "middle-old" (75–84) group, and the first boomer cohort reaches 85+ ("oldest-old") by the late 2030s. Consequently, a larger share begin requiring help with daily activities, driving up demand for assisted living, nursing care, and in-home caregiving across all states.
Surging Senior Population
The sheer number of older adults peaks in this period. The 65+ population in the U.S. is projected to reach approximately 71–73 million by 2030 (up from 55.8M in 2020). This 28% growth of seniors in a decade is fueled by the aging boomers. Many states will see double-digit growth in their elderly population from 2020 to 2030; e.g. Arizona's 65+ count is expected to rise 41% by 2030, Florida's by 39%. Even traditionally younger states like Georgia and Texas anticipate approximately 30%+ increases. Only the District of Columbia may see a slight decline (unique demographic dynamics). Overall, every state will have more seniors both in absolute number and as a % of population by 2030 than today, intensifying the need for senior housing and care options.
Independent vs. Assisted Living
Through the early 2030s, most boomers are still relatively healthy 60-somethings, so independent living remains common. However, as the large mid-boomer cohort crosses into their 70s, moves to downsized housing and retirement communities accelerate. Suburban boomers may sell their homes and relocate to 55+ condos or senior apartments that offer maintenance-free living. This trend is nationwide but especially notable in retirement hubs (Arizona, Florida, North Carolina) and amenity-rich states (Texas, Georgia, etc., where new senior developments are booming). The number of independent living communities is growing approximately 1–2% per year to keep pace.
At the same time, assisted living usage climbs steadily as the oldest boomers reach their late 70s. Industry analyses project the need for approximately 1 million additional assisted living beds by 2040 to accommodate aging boomers. By 2030, we expect the national assisted living resident count to exceed 1 to 1.2 million (up approximately 50% from approximately 0.82M in 2020) as boomers who can no longer live completely independently opt for these facilities. Assisted living is becoming the most common residential care option for seniors over 75, because it provides help with meals, bathing, medications, etc., without the institutional feel of a nursing home. States vary in assisted living capacity – e.g. Florida and Pennsylvania have very large AL industries (thousands of licensed beds), whereas rural states like Wyoming or Vermont have fewer facilities.
State Examples (2030)
State 65+ Population (2030) Typical Living Arrangement (2030)
Florida ~6.06 million (25.5% of state) Home: ~5.5M at home (still ~90%+). Assisted Living: ~70–80k (rapid growth as boomers age). Nursing: ~100k (facilities expanding; average FL nursing home may add ~40 beds by 2030). Florida's huge senior base strains eldercare, but many delay institutional care by using in-home services or resort-style AL communities.
Arizona ~1.8 million (≈20% of state) Home: ~1.65M at home (many in 55+ communities around Phoenix/Tucson). Assisted Living: ~20k (growing fast, new facilities opening). Nursing: ~15k (AZ planning to expand beds ~40 each facility). AZ's 65+ is growing fastest nationally, so independent living and AL are booming sectors.
Maine ~0.36 million (26.5% – one of oldest) Home: ~0.32M at home (farming towns see aging-in-place; limited AL options). Assisted Living: ~3k (some small personal care homes). Nursing: ~8k (Maine has high per-capita nursing home use due to very old population). By 2030, Maine's quarter of population 65+ will stress its rural healthcare system; more home-care support likely needed.
California ~7.8 million (18% of state) Home: ~7.1M at home (spread across cities/suburbs; many using home care aids). Assisted Living: ~80k (CA leads in sheer number of AL facilities). Nursing: ~110k (biggest total residents). CA's diverse senior pop means both high-end retirement communities (e.g. Orange County) and multi-generational households (e.g. immigrant families in LA/SF) are common.
Nursing Home Demand
As boomers enter their 80s toward late 2030s, nursing home demand sharply increases, though moderated by preference for home or AL care when possible. The total number of U.S. nursing home residents – stagnant around 1.3 million for years – is projected to balloon to approximately 1.87 million by 2030 (nearly +45% from 2020). This reflects the "age wave" hitting advanced ages. Many states will need to build or expand facilities: 3,000 new nursing homes nationally (or expansions equivalent) may be required by the early 2030s to meet demand. For instance, Nevada and Texas – which currently have fewer beds per senior – will likely construct new skilled nursing facilities as their 75+ populations surge. The Sunbelt states (FL, AZ, NV, TX, GA) specifically may each need to add approximately 40 beds per existing nursing home on average to accommodate their rapidly growing elderly populations by 2030. In contrast, some Midwest and Northeast states (with flat or slower population growth) may repurpose or modernize existing nursing homes rather than build new ones, though the case mix will shift to more high-acuity oldest-old residents.
State-by-State Highlights (2030–2035)
By the mid-2030s, the living arrangement landscape will have shifted as follows:
At Home with Support: Across all states, a greater proportion of seniors will be receiving in-home care (from family or paid aides). States like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan (with many aging boomers in suburban/rural areas) may see a boom in home health services and adult day care centers. The fundamental preference is still to remain at home if feasible. Technology (telehealth, smart home devices) and aging-in-place initiatives help seniors in every state extend independent living into older age.
Independent/Retirement Communities: Expect higher-income boomers in states like New Jersey, Connecticut, or California to transition into upscale independent living residences in their 70s, while in lower-income states (e.g. Mississippi, Alabama) many boomers remain in their own homes and rely on family care until a health crisis forces a move. Thus, the penetration of independent living communities will be higher in wealthier states and those that traditionally attract retirees. For example, Pennsylvania and Illinois have many Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) where boomers may buy-in while still active, then have on-site assisted living/nursing options later. These CCRCs will fill up through the 2030s.
Assisted Living: By approximately 2035, the oldest boomers (around 90) and the trailing war babies (mid-90s) will dominate assisted living resident demographics. Assisted living facilities in every state will see their census skew older and more care-dependent (e.g. more residents in their 80s and 90s, often with memory impairments). States with many boomers but fewer nursing homes – such as Oregon or Washington (which emphasize community-based care) – may funnel more frail seniors into assisted living instead of nursing facilities. Nationally, the average age in assisted living is already approximately 87, and this could climb into the 90s by late 2030s as boomers use AL as a nursing home substitute for as long as possible. The supply of assisted living will expand especially in boomers-heavy regions: e.g. Texas and North Carolina are seeing rapid development of new senior living complexes to prepare for this mid-stage wave.
Nursing Homes: By the end of Stage 2 (approximately 2035), nursing homes will start filling with the front-end boomers, not just the previous Silent/Greatest generation. In New York and Massachusetts, for example, many 85+ boomers will occupy nursing beds, given those states' historically high nursing home utilization (8% or more of 85+ in facilities). Meanwhile states like Utah or Alaska, which currently have the lowest rates of institutionalization, may still keep nursing home percentages relatively low even in late 2030s (thanks to stronger family care norms), but they will still experience growth in absolute numbers of residents. To illustrate, Utah's hospice usage is already highest (indicating preference for end-of-life care at home), so Utah might maintain fewer nursing home residents proportional to its elderly population, relying on assisted living and hospice-at-home instead.
Key Takeaway (Stage 2): The early-to-mid 2030s are a transitional tipping point. The population of older seniors (75+) explodes, and every state must ramp up care infrastructure. Independent living remains the dominant arrangement for younger boomers, but assisted living and nursing occupancy begin a steep climb as health needs mount. By approximately 2035, roughly 5–6% of the combined war baby/boomer group may be in care facilities (vs approximately 3–4% in 2025) – still a minority, but double the count from a decade prior. All states see an upward trend in the share of elders in assisted living/nursing settings, though levels vary: e.g. by 2030 Florida may have approximately 4–5% of its 65+ in facilities (due to many 85+ residents), whereas a younger state like Utah might remain at <3%. Nonetheless, the direction is universal: as boomers age, more transition from purely independent living to needing some level of care – whether via an assisted living apartment, a room in a nursing home, or intensive home health support.
Stage 3 (2040s): Advanced Old Age – High Care Needs Dominate
Characteristics
The 2040s mark the period when virtually all surviving war babies and boomers are in their 80s, 90s, and beyond. By 2040, baby boomers will be ages 76 to 94, and war babies 95+. This is the decade in which these generations enter the final phase of life. The cohort's size will start shrinking rapidly as mortality accumulates, but those who remain will mostly be "old-old" (85+) who often require significant assistance. We can consider this the era of maximal long-term care demand, since a large cohort is at ages of high disability and institutionalization rates.
Population Peak and Decline
The total number of older Americans will peak around 2040–2050. The 65+ population is projected at 82 million by 2050 (47% above 2022), though not all will be boomers (Gen-X will start joining 65+ in the 2030s). For the boomer+war cohort itself, their population will decline through the 2040s as deaths outnumber any remaining survivors. Estimates suggest that of approximately 73 million original boomers, roughly half or fewer may still be alive by 2040. For instance, in the figure above, we estimated approximately 40 million (out of approximately 70M in 2025) still alive by 2040 – the rest having passed in their 70s and 80s. Those remaining 40M are heavily weighted toward the oldest ages (late 80s). By 2050, the boomer+war cohort might dwindle to approximately 10–15 million (all in their late 80s, 90s, and a few centenarians). This means that by the latter half of the 2040s, the "age wave" is cresting and beginning to recede. However, its impact on care facilities is at its height, because the proportion of the cohort needing intensive care is highest when they're very old.
Nursing Homes Reach Record Utilization
In the 2040s, nursing homes nationwide are likely to be near capacity with boomer residents. The projection of approximately 2.97 million nursing home residents by 2040 (more than double 2020's count) illustrates this peak. Many states will experience their historical highs in nursing home occupancy around this time:
Florida might approach 150,000+ nursing home residents in the 2040s (given 7+ million 65+ Floridians by 2050 and many 85+ among them). California could exceed 120,000–150,000 in nursing homes. New York and Texas might each see approximately 100,000 or more in nursing facilities. States with smaller populations but oldest age structures (e.g. Vermont, Maine) may hit high percentages – possibly 5%+ of all seniors in nursing homes (since a quarter of their population will be elderly, and among those a large fraction 85+).
Historically, Iowa and North Dakota had among the highest nursing home usage rates; by 2040, however, even states like Arizona and Florida (previously lower rates) will catch up simply because so many boomers reach age 85+. Even with better health than prior generations, advanced age brings high prevalence of dementia, frailty, etc., often requiring nursing care. It's reasonable to expect 10% or more of the 85+ population in some states to be in nursing homes by the 2040s, especially in the Northeast/Midwest. Nationwide, if approximately 19 million Americans are 85+ in 2050, even an 8% institutionalization rate would yield approximately 1.5 million 85+ in nursing homes (the rest of nursing home residents being those 75–84 with heavy care needs). Some sources suggest one-third of older adults will experience a nursing home stay at some point – many of those stays will occur during this period.
Facility Strain & Expansion
States will likely respond with further expansion of home- and community-based care to try and limit nursing home overload. Nevertheless, expect many facilities to operate at high occupancy. States like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Illinois (which have many aging boomers and extensive nursing home networks) may struggle with staffing and funding to care for so many very-old residents simultaneously. Federal programs (Medicaid, Medicare) will face peak expenditures for nursing home care in this era, prompting policies to perhaps favor in-home care. But by the late 2040s, the demographic pressure should start easing as the cohort diminishes.
Assisted Living and Alternatives
In the 2040s, assisted living communities will also be at or near peak occupancy with boomer residents – however, by this time many assisted living residents will be quite old and frail, possibly even older than traditional AL can easily handle. We may see a blurring of lines between assisted living and nursing care, as AL facilities bring in more medical staff to cater to aging boomers who want to avoid nursing homes. The projection of 1 million additional AL beds by 2060 implies a substantial portion added by 2040. It's plausible that 1.5–2 million Americans could reside in assisted living by the 2040s, up from approximately 0.8M in 2020. Many states will license new types of care homes (e.g. small group homes, memory care units) to accommodate boomers who need a lot of help but prefer a homier setting than a large nursing facility.
State variations: Oregon and Washington, for example, have long been leaders in non-nursing home care (higher assisted living and adult foster home use). By the 2040s, those states might have far more seniors in assisted living than in nursing homes. Oregon could see thousands in adult foster homes (small 5-bed homes) as a culturally preferred model. Conversely, New York or Massachusetts may still have more in nursing homes due to established infrastructure. Florida will likely lead in absolute assisted living numbers (it already has 2,000+ AL facilities). Texas and California will also have huge assisted living sectors by 2040, reflecting their massive elderly populations – potentially over 100,000 AL residents in each of those largest states.
Living at Home (with Intense Support)
By this stage, relatively few boomers/war babies can live entirely independently. Those living "at home" are often doing so with substantial support – e.g. living with adult children or receiving round-the-clock home health care. We anticipate a significant portion of survivors in their 90s will move in with family if not already in a facility, especially in cultures emphasizing filial caregiving (e.g. many Asian-American families in California, Hawaii, etc., or Hispanic families in Texas, New Mexico). Interstate differences may appear here: states with more multigenerational households (like Hawaii, California, Texas) might have a higher fraction of 90-something boomers living at home with family caregivers versus states like Florida or Arizona, where many retirees lack nearby younger kin and thus turn to institutional care. Still, even in family-care-oriented states, the absolute number of very elderly will tax family resources. We may see growth of paid live-in caregiver arrangements (e.g. immigrant care workers) particularly in the Northeast and West Coast, where cost of nursing homes is extremely high and families opt to hire in-home aides for aging parents.
Hospice and End-of-Life Care
Entering the 2040s, the eldest boomers and war babies will increasingly utilize hospice services as they reach end of life. Already, as of 2020 about 47% of Medicare decedents died while enrolled in hospice care, and usage is higher for older age groups (nearly 59% of 85+ decedents used hospice in 2020). By the 2040s, hospice will likely be an even more standard part of end-of-life; it's reasonable to expect well over half of dying nonagenarians will receive hospice. This might be in various settings: hospice at home (most common), in dedicated hospice facilities, or within nursing homes (many nursing home residents transition to hospice care in their final weeks). State distinctions: Hospice utilization has varied (e.g. Utah leads with approximately 60% of seniors using hospice at death, while New York was lowest approximately 26%), but the gap may narrow as hospice acceptance grows nationwide. By the 2040s, even states once reluctant (like New York) will likely see a greater share of their elderly die in hospice rather than hospitals. States with large elderly populations (Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio) will need robust hospice infrastructure (more hospice centers, palliative care teams) to handle the volume of end-of-life care for boomers.
Key Takeaway (Stage 3): The 2040s are the era of advanced old age for these generations, when high-level care needs are the norm. State-by-state, this translates to record numbers of seniors in assisted living and nursing homes, and heavy use of medical and caregiving services:
By approximately 2045, in many states 10% or more of the remaining war/boomer cohort could be in nursing homes, and another approximately 5–10% in assisted living. For example, if a state has 100,000 boomers left in 2045, perhaps approximately 10k+ are in nursing facilities and a similar number in AL, leaving approximately 80k at home (most with some form of help). In some of the oldest states (e.g. Maine, West Virginia), nearly 1 in 5 of all seniors might reside in a care facility around this time – a dramatic change from <5% in 2020.
Care burdens will peak: Every state's healthcare and long-term care system will be under stress from the large numbers of 80- and 90-somethings. States like Florida will allocate a significant portion of resources to elder care (with entire cities dominated by retirement communities transitioning into quasi-medical campuses). States like Alabama or Oklahoma (historically younger) will have to rapidly scale up services as their boomers hit these ages.
Geographic disparities: Some Sun Belt states that attracted healthy retirees in earlier decades (AZ, NV, FL) by the 2040s will have aged retiree populations requiring local care – potentially straining states that previously relied on younger in-migrants. We might see interstate migration of elderly reverse: families in northern states (e.g. Michigan, Ohio) might bring very old boomer parents back from Sun Belt retirement in order to care for them. This could slightly redistribute where the oldest boomers reside (e.g. a Floridian boomer might move to be near adult children up north once widowed and very frail).
In summary, Stage 3 will witness maximum occupancy of senior care settings across the U.S., with significant proportions of surviving boomers in assisted living, memory care units, nursing homes, or receiving continuous care at home. By the late 2040s, however, the cohort's size is much diminished, heralding the final stage.
Stage 4 (2050s–2060s): The Final Members – Hospice and Last Survivors
Characteristics
By approximately 2050, the youngest boomers are in their mid-80s and the oldest over 100. War babies are virtually gone, and the tail-end boomers will reach their 90s in the 2050s. This stage covers the period until the entire generation has died. By approximately 2065–2070, demographers expect the last baby boomers to pass away, marking the end of an era. During Stage 4, the numbers of these seniors dwindle rapidly, but those remaining are extremely old and typically in critical need of care:
Diminishing Cohort
From an original approximately 73 million baby boomers, only a tiny fraction will survive into their mid/late 90s. For instance, out of the boomers who reached age 65, likely less than 10% will live to 95+. By 2060 (when the youngest boomer is 96), the cohort might number only approximately 1–2 million nationwide (see Figure above, which shows an illustrative decline to near zero by 2060). These will be the super-centenarians and late nonagenarians, many of whom will be concentrated in states with high life expectancies (Hawaii, California for example, due to health and lifestyle). States with fewer healthcare resources might see their populations of these very-old seniors drop off sooner.
Living Arrangements of Last Survivors
Given their exceptional age, it is likely that nearly all remaining war babies/boomers by the 2050s will be under some form of continual care:
A majority will be in nursing homes or similar high-level care facilities unless being directly cared for by family at home. By age 95+, even the healthiest individuals often need help. We might expect that for those boomers who reach their 90s and beyond, well over half will reside in nursing homes. (For context, among today's 95+ population, a very high percentage are in nursing or extended care.) Thus, states will still have some nursing home residents from this cohort in the 2050s, but the absolute numbers will fall each year as more pass away than new 85+ entrants (since no new boomers after 1964).
Some will be in assisted living or hospice facilities, particularly those who managed to avoid nursing homes up until their last year or two of life. However, by this age, many assisted living residents may have transitioned to nursing care or died. Assisted living communities might actually see a decline in occupancy in the late 2050s attributable to boomers' deaths, unless backfilled by younger cohorts (Gen X will be filling AL by then). The remaining boomer residents in AL in the 2050s would be those who possibly entered in their 80s and have aged in place there into their 90s with supplemental nursing services.
At Home: Only a very select few (perhaps those with extraordinary longevity and support) will still be living at home independently by their late 90s. It's more likely that those at home will be living with family caregivers or receiving full-time professional care. For example, a last-surviving boomer at 100 might live with a septuagenarian daughter or in a multigenerational household. Culturally, families in states like Utah, Texas, or Hawaii might be more inclined to keep even a 98-year-old relative at home with hospice, whereas in other places the norm may be a nursing home for such advanced age. But by this time, the numbers are so small that these differences are minor.
Hospice and End-of-Life
Nearly all remaining members of these generations will eventually utilize hospice services if they have access to it. By the 2050s and 2060s, hospice care will likely be even more widespread and integrated into nursing homes and hospitals. One can anticipate hospice utilization rates of 60–70%+ for the final wave of boomers, given the continued trends. State-by-state: By this time, hospice use might be uniformly high across states due to best practices spread nationwide. For example, even states that were outliers (Utah already high, New York low) may converge toward a norm where most dying nonagenarians receive hospice support. States