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 …
Operations
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 …
As the COVID-19 pandemic upends just about every aspect of life, senior living communities are retooling their marketing strategies. Instead of letting up on sales efforts, communities are finding new ways to communicate supportive messages to prospects while reinforcing their brands with a positive twist. “We recognize the sensitivity around sales and marketing at this time,” said Valerie Whitman, vice president of senior living for LeadingResponse, a Tampa-based customer acquisition service. “We can show the world what we can do for seniors and their families. This is an opportunity for …
DALLAS — Capital Senior Living Corp. (NYSE:CSU), one of the nation’s largest operators of senior living communities, has reached agreements with Ventas Inc. and Welltower Inc. for immediate rent reductions and the early terminations of its master leases. This announcement follows the previously announced early termination of its Healthpeak master lease. Together, the early terminations and rent reductions are expected to improve the company’s cash flow by approximately $22 million and reduce lease liabilities by approximately $253 million. “We remain laser focused on our operational turnaround plan,” says Kim Lody, …
POWAY, Calif. — Cadence Living has hired Jay Johnson as executive director at Cadence at Poway Gardens in the San Diego suburb of Poway. Johnson has almost 30 years of experience in senior living including multiple positions as executive director. He spent 17 years with ActiveCare both in assisted living and memory care settings. Johnson has managed communities for Catholic Health Initiatives and Anthem Memory Care.