'Be a part or apart?': A phenomenological study on older adults' resident retention and continued stay in senior living facilities

At the heart of older adults' decisions to stay or leave senior living facilities often comes down to whether they feel 'a part' of their new environment or 'apart' from it. This study explores the lived experiences of older adults in senior living facilities, identifies factors influencing their decision to continue staying, and examines how these settings meet their changing needs in relation to resident retention and overall well-being. Using Moustakas' transcendental phenomenology, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 older adults, analyzed via the Modified Stevick-Colaizzi-Keen method to identify and synthesize themes. Five main themes influencing resident retention were discovered: autonomy, privacy, and control; resilience and adaptation; a sense of belonging; personalized care needs; and comfort, safety, and accessibility. The findings provide actionable strategies for developing enabling environments, offering crucial information for policymakers, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to improve the well-being of older adults.