ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Occupancy at U.S. skilled nursing facilities in December 2020 reached its lowest level since data have been collected, ending the year at 71.7 percent, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC). The data comes from over 1,500 skilled nursing facilities in 48 states that report data to NIC, an Annapolis-based data and analytics organization serving the seniors housing industry. The report includes information through the end of 2020. Average skilled nursing occupancy declined 13.3 percentage points since February 2020, before the COVID-19 …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) has released a report showing nursing homes in the U.S. have seen the lowest number of new COVID-19 cases since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) started tracking back in May 2020. AHCA/NCAL is a Washington, D.C.-based organization representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the country. The report suggests that the various vaccines for COVID-19 are working, the organization says. Recent CMS data shows that nursing homes have …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Health Care Association (AHCA), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the country, and LeadingAge, the association of more than 5,000 aging services providers including nursing homes, have set a nationwide goal for nursing home staff vaccinations. With the help of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the D.C.-based organizations recommend that 75 percent of the approximately 1.5 million nursing home staff throughout the country be vaccinated against COVID-19 by June 30, 2021. “With COVID-19 vaccinations being distributed across …
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Seniors housing operators are rushing to host vaccine clinics for residents and staff, hoping to put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic that has depressed occupancy across the industry. By the end of the month, 83 percent of communities expect to complete at least one vaccine clinic, with more clinics on the way for future doses. That’s according to a pair of surveys conducted by Argentum, an Alexandria-based national association exclusively dedicated to supporting companies operating professionally managed, resident-centered senior living communities. The surveys, one in January …
As the COVID-19 vaccine rolls out around the country, nobody is more excited to put the pandemic behind them than seniors housing operators. The disease has driven occupancy to record-low rates, while 39 percent of all deaths from the disease occurred in skilled nursing facilities, according to a December report by AARP. Residents have largely been eager to take the vaccine. However, employees have been much more hesitant. “After almost a year of navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects on staff, residents and family members, the news of the …
As the vaccine rolls out, what are some of the challenges you have overcome related to the COVID-19 pandemic? Financing, construction hit snags By Andrew Agins Senior Vice President of Revenue and Asset Management Anthology Senior Living Capitalizing a new development deal has been challenging during the pandemic due to tight capital markets. Equity partners tend to work with developers they know and trust. Banks will lend only to projects with experienced operators and strong sponsorships. Maintaining a safe job site is another challenge. At our current projects, an on-site …
WALTHAM, Mass. — Benchmark Senior Living, a Waltham-based provider of senior living services in the Northeast, has expanded its team of consulting medical and scientific experts with the creation of the Benchmark Coronavirus Advisory Council. The council will guide the company’s long-term strategy and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The council’s esteemed members include a former U.S. surgeon general, a former secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a nationally known geriatric psychiatrist, a leading infection control preventionist and other experts. “Since the pandemic began, we’ve relied on leading …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than half of assisted living providers say they won’t survive another year at the current operating pace due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on both occupancy and expenses. That’s according to a recent survey by the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), a Washington, D.C.-based association of healthcare providers. The survey polled 240 assisted living operators nationwide. Of the respondents, 56 percent said they would not survive another year, while 55 percent said they are currently operating at a loss. Nearly 80 percent …
The pandemic has turned some technologies from optional amenities into operational necessities. By Jonathan Gould, K4Connect COVID has brought countless industries to a halt and caused companies to rethink how they continue to meet the needs of their customers while surviving the ongoing impacts of this pandemic. We’ve seen in-person meetings shift to virtual platforms, small businesses implement new e-commerce options, and restaurants add curbside delivery and pickup services for restaurants. Innovation is taking on new, promising forms that serve the customer where they are. This innovation wave is also …
With two approved vaccines to combat COVID-19, the end of the pandemic is visible on the horizon. However, some seniors housing experts say it may be the third quarter of 2021 before the sector starts to see the turnaround take hold. “We have a much clearer picture of what the post-COVID world will look like,” said Adam Heavenrich, managing director of Heavenrich & Company. “The COVID world of 2020 will hopefully look drastically different from the post-COVID world of 2021.” The comments came during a panel titled “Investment Update: Should …