SARASOTA, Fla. — Watercrest Senior Living Group has hired Collin Baranick as executive director of Watercrest Sarasota Senior Living Community in Sarasota, a 198-unit community scheduled to open this summer. Baranick entered the senior living industry in 2010 as care manager on the nursing floor of a large senior living provider. He later transitioned to a wellness director role, where he improved community culture, staff training and quality assurance. Baranick most recently served as executive director, opening two senior living communities from ground up in South Carolina and Florida. When …
Operations
DENVER — As expected, seniors housing inquiries, tours and move-ins fell significantly in April as the industry felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to marketing software provider Enquire. The Denver-based company compiled sales and marketing data from over 2,200 seniors housing communities throughout the country. Compared with April 2019, inquiries fell 33 percent for independent living, 41 percent for assisted living/memory care and 43 percent for continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). “We have seen several surveys and opinions about the impact COVID-19 is having on senior living sales …
BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — Discovery Senior Living, an operator based in Bonita Springs with 62 communities in 14 states, has started a national program of targeted COVID-19 testing in its communities. The company is using a combination of rapid and swab testing. Encompassing current and incoming residents, as well as team members, the program represents the latest expansion of Discovery’s COVID-19 early identification and containment protocols. The company began its testing in its Florida-based communities and has continually expanded throughout the remaining states in which it operates. The testing will …
Organic social media content is more important than ever during COVID-19 pandemic for residents and prospects. By Greg Eves, United Group of Companies Independent living is a lifestyle choice for seniors. Whether prospective residents are looking to downsize their home, escape the burdens of homeownership, broaden their social life or move closer to their adult children and grandchildren, it’s crucial for property management companies to understand that they’re selling more than just a place to live. They’re selling a unique lifestyle. For years, property management companies have turned to social …
BEND, Ore. — Sunshine Retirement Living, a Bend-based operator with 32 communities in 16 states, now offers FDA-approved “Respira-ID” testing for COVID-19 at all its properties. Residents and employees that are exhibiting symptoms will now all be tested, as well as any new residents moving in regardless of symptoms. Produced by Vikor Scientific, Respira-ID tests for over 40 pathogens known to cause respiratory illness including COVID-19. The manufacturer will provide in-depth virtual training to the community nursing staff, which will administer the tests and oversee the shipment of samples for …
Operators Must Show Appreciation, Increase Safety to Retain Staff During Pandemic, Says SHB Webinar Panel
by Jeff Shaw
As the COVID-19 pandemic has shut down many businesses around the world, seniors housing is in a tough spot. In charge of caring for seniors — those most vulnerable to the disease — communities must stay open, but while doing everything possible to ensure the safety of residents. The industry already faced a staffing shortage for frontline workers. Now many of those workers either can’t come into work for fear of transmitting COVID-19 to an older family member, or are resigning out of fear of contracting the disease themselves. “Early …
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE: BKD), the nation’s largest senior living operator, is actively recruiting to fill more than 4,500 positions. Brookdale operates 743 senior living communities in 45 states. The company could be a sign of relief for the jobless, as nearly 17 million people have filed initial unemployment claims in the last three weeks due to businesses shuttering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brookdale is seeking registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), caregivers, housekeeping, dining, maintenance and many other roles. The …
Watercrest Hires Blake Patterson as Executive Director of Newly Built Community in South Carolina
by Jeff Shaw
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Watercrest Senior Living Group has hired Blake Patterson as executive director of Watercrest Columbia Assisted Living and Memory Care in Columbia. Watercrest Columbia is a 107-unit, resort-style senior living community, which opened to residents in the fall of 2019. Patterson began his career in hospice services. With a transition to marketing director for assisted living and memory care, he witnessed first-hand the impact of the front-line staff as a critical factor in the success of a community. Patterson later became executive director of an assisted living, memory …
ROSWELL, Ga. — Phoenix Senior Living, a developer and operator based in the Atlanta suburb of Roswell, has launched its Healthcare Partnership Program, using three of its seniors housing facilities to take in seniors who have tested positive for COVID-19 but do not require 24-hour nursing care. The idea of the program is to offer relief to Atlanta-area hospitals, opening beds that allow those healthcare providers to focus on critically ill patients. Currently three Phoenix communities are accepting non-critical, coronavirus-positive seniors. The incoming patients are being placed in designated areas …
During this unprecedented time, marketing and sales professionals must continue to connect and engage with prospects, both existing and new. This webinar features panelists discussing what COVID-19 has meant for the seniors housing sector and strategies for effective marketing despite social distancing, shelter-in-place, and quarantine situations. Learn what alternate lead-generation options are available to continue to work toward 2020 sales and marketing goals. Hear what strategies industry peers are incorporating to manage through this time of uncertainty. Expert panelists weigh in with advice and helpful information about what industry professionals …