COVID-19 resulted in a sudden increase in demand for internet connectivity in seniors housing — catching some operators flat-footed. By Jeff Shaw The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on seniors housing were sudden and dramatic. We’ll likely continue to feel them for years to come. As communities closed themselves off from the outside world to protect residents, a new challenge emerged: How do we keep our residents healthy and safe without isolating them from friends, family and entertainment? The answer came in part from the web, as operators looked to …
coronavirus
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) have issued a letter to the National Governors Association asking for stronger state support regarding lab processing and personal protective equipment in long-term care. “With the major spikes of COVID cases in many states across the country, we are very concerned this trend will lead to a dramatic increase in cases in long term facilities,” states the letter. “Recent independent research by Harvard Medical School, Brown University’s School of Public Health and University of …
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Private-pay seniors housing occupancy fell 2.8 percentage points in the second quarter of 2020 from 87.7 percent to 84.9 percent, according to new data from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC). NIC experts said this is the largest quarterly decline since data reporting began 14 years ago, making this quarter’s occupancy rate the lowest on record. The Annapolis-based data service gathers the data from 31 primary metropolitan markets. The only two markets with occupancy gains between May and June per the recently released …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Despite the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has a higher mortality rate among seniors than other age groups, a recent survey shows that the majority of consumers still find independent living and assisted living to be an appealing option for seniors. The survey was commissioned by the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), a D.C.-based organization serving the seniors housing industry. Research firm ProMatura Group is conducting the study, which is still ongoing and polls prospective customers from the lead lists of 115 ASHA member communities. …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the nation continues to wrestle with the COVID-19 pandemic, and with states relaxing restrictions, seniors housing operators are responding with strategies to minimize both COVID-19 transmission risk and the risks of poor health outcomes resulting from isolation. This is according to a special issue brief report from the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) entitled “Considerations for Balancing Seniors Housing Residents’ Safety As Communities Reopen: A Strategic Approach to the COVID-19 Pandemic.” In the report, research and advisory services firm ATI Advisory and its CEO Anne Tumlinson …
NIC Survey Shows Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Range from 0.2 Percent in IL to 4.3 Percent in Skilled Nursing
by Jeff Shaw
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Testing for coronavirus is most prevalent in nursing care and assisted living facilities, with confirmed positive tests highest at nursing care facilities. Residents of independent living facilities, who typically have greater mobility and fewer healthcare challenges, have the lowest percent of confirmed positive results at 0.2 percent. The analysis was conducted by the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), an Annapolis-based nonprofit organization supporting access and choice in senior housing and care. The data comes from a May 31 survey that received 105 responses …
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. …
Softening real estate fundamentals combined with facility lockdowns stymie deals. By Matt Valley The longer the COVID-19 pandemic goes, the bigger the toll will be on investment sales activity, say commercial real estate finance professionals. PGIM Real Estate early this year completed its capital raise for Senior Housing Partners VI, a closed-end fund with a total of $996 million in commitments. But Steve Blazejewski, managing director at PGIM Real Estate, says the investment firm’s acquisition pipeline is currently “on ice.” “It’s really difficult to pursue an acquisition of some size …
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 …