Senior Living & Assisted Care Accessibility

Senior living facilities serve a population with the highest rates of disability. Accessible digital services are not just legally required—they're essential for resident wellbeing and family engagement.

Critical Sector Consideration

Over 40% of adults aged 65+ have a disability. Your residents, their families, and prospective residents need accessible websites, portals, and communication tools to make informed care decisions and stay connected.

Why Accessibility Matters for Senior Living

40%+ Disability Rate

Adults over 65 have significantly higher rates of vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive disabilities

Family Decision Makers

Adult children and family members often research facilities online and need accessible information

Applicable Laws & Regulations

ADA Title III

Private senior living facilities, assisted living communities, and nursing homes are "places of public accommodation" under ADA Title III. Websites and digital services must be accessible to people with disabilities.

Learn About Title III
Section 504 & Medicare/Medicaid

Facilities receiving Medicare or Medicaid funding must comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Most skilled nursing facilities and many assisted living communities fall under this requirement.

HIPAA Considerations

While HIPAA doesn't specifically mandate accessibility, providing health information in accessible formats supports equitable access. Resident portals with health records must be usable by people with disabilities.

State Privacy Laws

Many states have specific regulations for senior care facilities and resident data protection. California, Colorado, Virginia, and other states have comprehensive privacy laws that may apply to resident data collected online.

View State Privacy Laws

Key Digital Touchpoints

Prospective residents and families research facilities extensively online before visiting:

  • Virtual tours with audio descriptions and captions
  • Accessible floor plans and community maps
  • Clear pricing information in accessible formats
  • Photo galleries with descriptive alt text
  • Contact forms with proper labels and error handling
  • Online scheduling for tours and consultations
Common Issues:
  • Virtual tour platforms without keyboard navigation
  • PDF brochures that aren't screen reader accessible
  • Image-heavy pages without adequate text alternatives

Portals allow residents and families to stay connected and informed:

  • View care plans and health updates
  • Schedule visits and video calls
  • Pay bills and manage accounts
  • Communicate with staff and caregivers
  • Access activity calendars and menus
  • Submit maintenance requests
Critical: Many family members accessing portals are themselves seniors who may need accessible interfaces. Design for your actual user base.

Telehealth is increasingly important in senior care settings:

  • Video conferencing with simple, accessible controls
  • Large, high-contrast buttons for older users
  • Captioning for residents with hearing loss
  • Integration with hearing aids and assistive devices
  • Easy-to-follow connection instructions

Digital admissions processes must accommodate all users:

  • Multi-step forms with progress indicators
  • Clear field labels and format instructions
  • Save and resume functionality for lengthy forms
  • Accessible document upload for medical records
  • Electronic signature capabilities
  • Confirmation in accessible formats

Privacy Compliance Requirements

Senior living facilities collect extensive personal and health information that requires careful handling:

Data Collected Online
  • Health history and medical records
  • Financial information for billing
  • Emergency contact details
  • Insurance information
  • Power of attorney documentation
  • Dietary preferences and restrictions
Privacy Requirements
  • Clear privacy policies in accessible formats
  • Secure transmission of health data
  • HIPAA-compliant storage and access
  • Rights to access and correct information
  • Data retention and deletion policies
  • Third-party sharing disclosures

Accessibility Considerations for Older Adults

Vision Changes
  • High contrast color schemes
  • Scalable text (minimum 16px base)
  • Avoid small gray text on white backgrounds
  • Clear, readable fonts without decorative styling
Hearing Loss
  • Captions on all video content
  • Transcripts for audio content
  • Visual alternatives to audio alerts
Motor Control
  • Large click/touch targets (44x44 pixels minimum)
  • Generous spacing between interactive elements
  • No time limits or time extensions available
  • Keyboard accessible interfaces
Cognitive Considerations
  • Simple, consistent navigation
  • Plain language content
  • Clear calls to action
  • Minimal distractions and animations

Implementation Checklist

Senior Living Quick Stats
User Demographics
40%+ of adults 65+ have disabilities
Key Platforms
Marketing sites, resident portals, telehealth
Applicable Laws
ADA Title III, Section 504, state laws
Standard
WCAG 2.1 Level AA
Privacy
HIPAA, state privacy laws
Resources
Related Sectors