Why Standalone Memory Care Assisted Living Providers Continue to Struggle with Occupancy

According to an insightful article published by Senior Housing News on August 14, 2017, the national occupancy of standalone memory care assisted living (MCAL) providers was only 82.7 percent in the second quarter of 2016, down from the highest occupancy of 88.8 percent in late 2008.

In addition to the article’s conclusions of freestanding MCAL being over-developed and being a relatively new product, as well as providers gearing up for a substantial increase in individuals with memory impairment, Health Dimensions Group offers two other contributing factors.

• Standalone MCAL can be an attractive option for many seniors, but those providers can have some disadvantages in competing with campuses offering multiple settings of care. Campus settings can include lower levels of care, such as independent and congregate apartments and traditional assisted living. Individuals living in lower levels of care on a campus are more likely to move into the affiliated MCAL than a non-affiliated provider. Many seniors and their families will choose a campus setting so all levels of care will be available if and when needed.
• Some of the nicest MCAL communities provide multiple levels of care. Even standalone MCAL providers could have different buildings for various stages of memory impairment, delivering services most appropriate with a similar population. Standalone MCAL providers, and MCAL providers on campuses with other housing, may have a disadvantage if they only offer a one-size-fits-all service package.

For information about senior living feasibility studies, marketing and sales audits, or other senior living consulting services, please visit www.healthdimensionsgroup.com/services/

Authored by: Colin Higgins, Director, Analytics and Research, Health Dimensions Group