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We’re introducing a new monthly feature blog, An Executive Perspective, which conveys the latest insight from GlynnDevins executive leadership who have a lot to share, because they are constantly in contact with the top professionals in the field of senior living, exchanging forecasts, identifying trends and challenges, and developing best practices.

A meeting of the minds took place last week in Dana Point, California for the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) 2012 Annual Meeting. GlynnDevins principals attended to share insights and hear the latest news in the field of senior living from top firms and professionals in the for profit and not for profit sectors of senior living.

The key takeaway from the conference was an upswing in confidence in senior living performance, which is a reassuring message after several years of dealing with the aftermath of the economic downturn and not knowing how long it will take to recover. Though dates for total recovery varied, often by region, most all attendees agreed the worst is over and optimism is warranted.

We are all aware of the real estate market struggles as seniors have delayed decisions, but it turns out senior living is doing better than most any other sector involving real estate. Cap rates are higher now than in several years spurring on healthy merger and acquisition activity. Although certainly more progress to be made, steady gains and positive indicators reveal a bright outlook for the years to come. This is an important message to share with prospective residents who may be standing on the sideline looking for signs to move forward.

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As if you needed another reason. It seems everywhere you look these days, you’re confronted with the 2012 Presidential elections. There are primaries and caucuses every week and it can be a bit overwhelming. Putting aside your personal political affiliation, this election could bring about a great deal of change for senior living as a result of health care reform. There was an interesting article last week from Senior Housing News that talks about the implication of health care reform and the effects it could have on senior living communities.

Part of the health care reform might change how hospitals are paid – basically, they’d get more money for lower rates of rehospitalization of discharged patients. On the flip side, they’d get less money for higher rates of return to the hospitals. This in turn would increase the importance and scrutiny hospitals place on their preferred provider of post-care. The article suggests this change in payment model would result in hospitals seeking to partner with senior living communities for this care. This can be a lucrative opportunity for communities – that is, if they’re seen as a premier care provider.

Now would be an excellent time to start evaluating these aspects of your community. What is your rate of rehospitalization? If you find positive results, then start touting them now! Networking strategies are crucial, so review, and perhaps increase, your outreach efforts to local doctors and hospitals. It is also a good reminder of the importance of keeping good relationships with referral sources. If you find room for improvement, now is a great time to make the necessary changes.

It remains to be seen which direction health care reform will go, but this is certainly reason to pay attention as it develops. You could stand to benefit in a big way in the years ahead if you’re top of mind with local hospitals for your premium post-care and low hospitalization rates.

Here’s a link to the full story.

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Like most people, I love a feel-good story. So when I saw that LeadingAge is helping inspire residents and staff of senior living communities by encouraging them to host a screening of                         Age of Champions, a new documentary about a group of athletes            “chasing gold at the National Senior Games,” I wanted to pass it on.

I’m encouraged by what producer Keith Ochwat says about the film,    “No matter the age or physical ability, all seniors can take small steps to becoming healthier and more active.”

You’ll want to watch the trailer and learn more about how to host a screening. It certainly inspired me.

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Let’s say you go out for an evening with friends or your significant other to dinner, a concert or another social event. The waiter asks how you enjoyed your meal, and you diplomatically respond. Afterwards you take a cab to your next destination. That’s when you might confess to one another your real thoughts and feelings about the delicious or not-so-delicious meal, outstanding or not-so-outstanding service, exciting or not-so-exciting entertainment, and fun or not-so-fun social gathering. And the cab driver usually gets an earful of your reviews.

The same is often true in senior living communities.

At one community I recently visited, I discovered drivers who shuttle people from point A to point B on campus had a good pulse of what’s going on within their community. The shuttle driver, just like the cab driver, many times gets an earful from residents about how they feel about community amenities and services. For example, after dinner residents may offer feedback on the new dining staff and service or changes in the menu, or after attending a social event they may share the highlights of the event and recommend having more similar events in the future.

As a leader, do you make it a point to talk with the shuttle drivers and other grounds staff, occasionally invite them to meetings, or have some other method of collecting feedback? If not, it might be something to consider, as they really do have a good pulse on your community, and can share valuable insights into the feelings of your residents.

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I just read an interesting article 90-Plus Is the New Old Age, Are You Ready?, and it made me think of my own mother. At age 90, she is a strong (also stubborn) woman of Italian descent, who lives independently in her own home with her 90-year-old boyfriend of the past 25 years.

Whenever we mention the benefits of moving to a senior living community, her response is always, why? Her logic for living as she does is she is strong, walks, talks, cooks and cleans … so why should she change her living situation… and she is too old to make a change now anyway.

On my calendar for months has been the planned trip with my siblings to celebrate our mom’s 90th birthday in Florida. Prior to her birthday, she fell and was taken to the hospital where they casted her broken hand, but wouldn’t release her because her heart was beating unnaturally fast. So she spent the next 2 weeks in the hospital. When we arrived to celebrate her 90th birthday, she was in rehab! It wasn’t the birthday party we’d planned, but we were happy to know she was going to be okay.

What made us very sad, however, was that while our mom was in rehab, her boyfriend who lives with her felt so ‘lost’ without her being home. Her companion for so many years was almost helpless and frightened because he missed my mom, who had tended to his needs, and he now had no one to cook and help him, no one to talk to. Had they been living in a senior living community, they would have had resources and a support system, and we would have had the comfort of knowing they were safe and provided for.

While it may be too late for my mom and Jim to enjoy the full benefits of a senior living community because they waited so long, it’s not too late to reap incredible benefits from living in a senior living community.

It’s something we talked about with my mom, and will continue to talk about over the next few weeks and months… before it really is too late!

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