A four-phase strategy to build an internal brand promise while creating opportunities to bolster staff dedication. By Mike Ulm, Pathway to Living When I started out in this industry years ago, my perception of seniors housing was steeped in some widely held misconceptions. In fact, the first time I stepped into a nursing home I was filled with angst, scared both to and of death. But that changed quickly when I formed a very special connection with an 88-year-old resident who not only shared a love for baseball but had actually grown …
Industry Voices
How those working in seniors housing are rising to the occasion during COVID-19 By Joe Fairley, Laser Facility Management, and John Getha, NSRE Today’s facility professionals in seniors housing literally find themselves in the middle of a pandemic with their facilities identified as the single biggest hot-spot category of business in the United States. Recent COVID-19 figures indicate that 15 percent of all cases and 38 percent of all deaths reported are related to long-term care facilities, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Over 6,000 of the nation’s 22,000 care …
Pandemic creates numerous legal issues for seniors housing operators. (Editor’s note: This column was written by law specialists at Hanson Bridgett. Because of the wide variety of challenges, the law firm asked each subject matter expert to write about his or her area of expertise.) The COVID-19 pandemic has struck our industry hard, requiring us to reexamine all our practices. There are myriad long-term implications that will change seniors housing. Safety Protocols: Senior living offers a spectrum of services — independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and CCRCs. …
Third-generation owner and operator channels inspiration from his family and other industry luminaries into large portfolio. By Jeff Shaw Greg Roderick was born for this industry. Roderick’s grandfather was the first in the family to enter seniors housing. He got his start alongside Carl Campbell, a seniors housing industry pioneer who started building in the 1950s and finally retired in 2017 while in his mid-90s. As part of his retirement plans, Campbell shrank his 12,000-square-foot penthouse located at one of his own communities in Wenatchee, Washington, down to 1,200 square …
How can operators meet the need for socialization while isolating residents as required by the pandemic? Community is strengthened By Brian Landrum Senior Managing Director Harbert Management Corp. I have been inspired by the stronger sense of community and the bonds created between residents, families and staff during the pandemic. In terms of socialization across our portfolio, we have implemented family window visits, pen pal programs with local schools, employee recognition opportunities and virtual socialization. Video conferencing has never been so prevalent in our communities — a welcomed advancement for …
Particularly in the Southeast, where there are fewer cases, builders continue to find work with a few adjustments for COVID-19. By B. Shane Hornbuckle, Principal, Van Winkle Construction Feeling nervous about the economy in light of the pandemic? If you are, take heart: Not everything has come to a stop. While other industries and markets grapple with closures and uncertainty, the design and construction markets remain strong for senior living, particularly in the Southeast. In South Carolina, Van Winkle Construction broke ground for the Indigo at Carolina Forest near Myrtle …
Technology can help combat isolation in senior living. By Fahad Aziz, Caremerge People of all ages are struggling to socialize and keep in touch with loved ones during COVID-19 lockdowns. For older Americans, social isolation can be especially dangerous: loneliness is linked with higher rates of heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression and anxiety. The good news is that digital platforms can help stave off the negative impacts of social isolation. As the world turns to technology to stay connected, senior living communities should follow suit. We must keep residents happy, …
Knowing the state of competition and demand will prepare a community for success. By Susan Brecht, Brecht Associates The market for all types of seniors housing is becoming increasingly complex. Service-enriched communities not only compete with each other, but now face a growing number of active adult (55+) communities that are actually drawing most of their residents in their early to mid -70s. While this type of product was typically offered on a for-sale basis, now there are many that are structured as rental communities. Mixed-use communities serve mixed ages …
To what extent does the home healthcare industry pose a threat to the seniors housing sector? — Lynne Katzmann, founder and president, Juniper Communities I am an eternal optimist, for better or worse. I also think that challenges present opportunities. Skilled home care and private duty can augment the work we do in our communities. Given that they have a separate payment source, they offer us the opportunity to augment service without incurring regular cost. But I think the question may be a different one: does home care threaten our …
Operators must find ways to keep residents social or risk their well-being. By Joanna Frank, Founding President and CEO, The Center for Active Design A less visible, yet very significant health impact of COVID-19 is the psychosocial implications for our senior populations. Seniors are not only particularly vulnerable to the medical risks of COVID-19, but also the effects of social isolation. Seniors housing operators are taking critical steps to reduce the risk of viral spread, such as suspending visitations and limiting face-to-face interactions. Although necessary, we must remember that these …