Senior care occupancy rates are low. In fact, it’s probably going to be difficult to increase occupancy for the remainder of the year.
However, several senior living leaders have predicted that occupancy levels will bounce back long term as families seek the best care for their loved ones. Especially during a crisis, people will be looking for facilities that can provide appropriate services that are unavailable at home. People will begin returning to work and the level of ease they feel leaving their senior relatives at home will decrease.
When families start looking again, how can you position your facility to stand out among the competition?
Short-term rehabilitation center
One of the biggest benefits of a senior living facility is the immediate access to healthcare professionals. Having an on-campus rehab center will increase the value of your property and establish care for seniors in need of services after surgeries like hip and knee replacements. These short-care offerings can include things like occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and more.
This unit can be separated from other parts of your housing facility. This is a natural extension for most facilities. If not already offered, this will also generate another revenue stream for you.
Recreational services and events
For many seniors, social distancing has resulted in higher rates of depression. When families begin to look for residents, they’re going to look beyond just the immediate safety and sanitation and analyze the actual entertainment options. What does your facility typically offer? Art classes, workout sessions, fun outings and other events are important to advertise. During a time of social distancing, you may want to consider how your employees have adapted to the situation and worked to create positive experiences for residents.
Concierge services
In some ways, senior living communities should take a few notes from the hospitality industry. Concierge services can elevate your brand and offer more luxury experiences for tenants. This can include everything from car services, travel arrangements and even dinner arrangements. You can have these services as an add-on to their sign-on package.
Redesigned common areas
You don’t need an entire redesign team to come in. Even slight restructuring done by your internal team can make the common areas more inviting. Small decorative changes, like switching the wall paint or adding plants, can make a hospital-like environment turn into a hotel-like environment.
Once you’ve done this, it’s important to retake interior photos. Right now, many properties are unable to provide physical tours. Until these starts opening, virtual tours are entirely reliant on the quality of photography and videos.
If your team is struggling to make changes that will improve your overall occupancy, perhaps it’s time to hire new talent. If you’re looking to talent email info@jdisearch.com or reach out to one of our recruiters.