WASHINGTON, D.C. — Even more than three months into the COVID-19 pandemic, more than half of assisted living operators have less than a two-week supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff. This is according to a recent survey by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). Based in Washington, D.C., the organization is the assisted living arm of the American Health Care Association. The survey polled 375 NCAL members between June 10 and June 17. While more than 70 percent of operators have asked for help from state and …
coronavirus
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 …
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Assisted living properties experienced a 90-basis-point decline to 85.2 percent stabilized occupancy in May 2020. This compares with 86.1 percent in April and 87.8 percent in March, the first full month of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data comes from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), based on the Annapolis-based organization’s top 31 U.S. markets. In response to the coronavirus outbreak, NIC has started reporting data monthly rather than quarterly. The impact was less severe for independent living properties, which experienced a 60-basis-point decrease …
CHICAGO — Despite the struggles of the seniors housing industry during the COVID-19 outbreak, investors in the sector expect capitalization rates on transactions to increase. The expected increase applies to all types of seniors housing, as well as all from Class A to Class C. In all cases, investors predicted cap rates higher than their recent averages, but still lower than the most recent high. The results came from an update to the JLL Spring 2020 Investor Survey, meant to reflect changes in approach following the onset of the pandemic. …
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, …
NYU Winthrop Physician Authors COVID-19 Safety Recommendations for Skilled Nursing Facilities
by Jeff Shaw
MINEOLA, N.Y. — Seeking to address estimates that more than a third of COVID-19 deaths nationally have occurred in nursing homes and long-term care facilities — more than 38,000 — the American Medical Directors Association published recommendations for reducing the spread of the pandemic virus among residents and staff. Among the recommendations were the creation of COVID-specific units, screenings of residents twice daily, discontinuing of drug delivery modes such as nebulizers that might spread the virus, and reviews with patients and families of do-not-intubate and do-not-hospitalize advance directives. “The scope …
DENVER — Although new resident leads dropped significantly in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of new leads spiked in May, according to customer relationship management software company Enquire Solutions. The Denver-based company compiled sales and marketing data from over 2,200 seniors housing communities throughout the country. While May 2020 still saw fewer inquiries compared to the same month in 2019, it was a 22 percent increase compared with April 2020. Move-ins also increased by 10 percent from April to May. In addition, move-outs in May 2020 were …
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Despite the struggles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, CareTrust REIT (NASDAQ: CTRE) reports that it still received 99.7 percent of rents in May. The San Clemente-based REIT invests in seniors housing, with a portfolio of 212 properties totaling 21,652 units around the country. Skilled nursing makes up about three quarters of the company’s units. Although occupancy is generally down across CareTrust’s portfolio, the company noted that moves at relief for skilled nursing facilities has helped soften the blow. In an investor presentation, CTRE said that the …
Bloom Senior Living Launches ‘Memory Making Stations’ for Safe, In-Person Visits During Pandemic
by Jeff Shaw
BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — Bloom Senior Living, a Birmingham-based owner-operator of nine communities in Indiana, Ohio, South Carolina and Florida, has launched “Memory Making Stations as a safe way to visit family and friends during the COVID-19 outbreak. The stations meet the six-foot separation protocol for social distancing. The resident, located inside the station, and family member, located outside the station, are separated by plexiglass. Bloom is still taking additional precautions including screening family members; requiring residents and family members to wear masks and wash hands before and after visits; and …
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) has moved its fall conference to a virtual format in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “The degree of uncertainty that exists and is likely to persist through the fall, along with the widespread current stay-at-home guidance across extensive geographies, reopening guidelines, and the potential for another outbreak has led us to this decision,” the organization said in its announcement. Registration will open in mid-July. The conference will be split into two events — an Educational Week …