A significant number of people take six months or longer to choose a senior care or housing option for a loved one, recently released survey results showed.

Out of more than 1,300 people polled, 21% said they spent at least half a year on this decision. About 40% said the decision took one month, according to the “Usage and Attitudes” survey from caregiving support company Caring.com. The respondents were people providing unpaid care for a family member or friend. They were not compensated for participating, the company stated.

The responses highlight that the choice of a long-term care or assisted living facility is not always made in haste, and suggest that provider companies could improve their occupancy through consistent follow-up calls or tour offers. Many assisted living companies are coming up short in courting prospective customers, according to recently released data from George Mason University.

The unpaid caregivers also reported significant financial strains, with 46% saying that they spend more than $5,000 annually. This could include out-of-pocket costs for medications, medical bills, respite care, or other services.

Click here to access the complete results, released Monday.

This article originally appeared on McKnight's