Looking for tips to help your indoor plants thrive? It’s a good thing that Dr. Joan Gottlieb, a resident at Brightview Commons, has years of expertise and knowledge to share.   We’re loving Joan’s feature on Brightview’s blog, which dives into her botanist journey, top tips for keeping indoor plants alive and more. We hope Joan’s story and ideas make your day a little brighter — and help you channel your inner botanist. A passion for plants: Brightview’s resident botanist From earning her undergraduate degree in biology to completing her Ph.D. thesis on plant hormones, Brightview resident Dr. Joan Gottlieb has always loved botany. After finishing school herself, Joan went on to teach science and biology courses, plus she led botany seminars for advanced students. But Joan didn’t stop there. She also traveled the world as part of botany field study programs visiting New Zealand, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Trinidad and Tobago to study the local flora. Outside of the classroom and her travels, Joan kept her passion alive by housing over 180 ferns in her home garden. “I’ve had a wonderful life with this passion of mine,” said Joan. “It’s taken me around the world, makes me happy to be indoors and I can write about them. I’m happy to have that. You only live once, and you want to do something that pleases you, has some youthfulness and makes the world a better place.” Now residing at Brightview Commons, Joan continues her passion by caring for her own plants, working on the community’s garden and teaching classes to fellow residents. Start your own garden with Joan’s tips Inspired to start your own indoor garden — or revitalize the plants you have now? Look no further! Joan shares four...

If you’ve kept up with the Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Awards, you may have seen this spotlight on Life Care Services (LCS), a Yardi senior living client. In any case, we’re sharing a snapshot below and extending a big congratulations to LCS.    Keep reading to learn how LCS channeled forward-thinking design to create a one-of-a-kind community. The SHN Architecture & Design Awards The SHN Architecture & Design Awards, an annual series, provides a chance to recognize cutting-edge design, excellence and innovation in senior living. Among this year’s winners is Life Care Services, a senior living operator offering assisted living, independent living, skilled nursing and memory care options. LCS earns best independent living design of 2021 While LCS operates fantastic communities nationwide, their Sagewood life plan community in Phoenix, Arizona earned them the SHN accolade. Since the community’s opening in 2010, LCS has focused on providing resort-style living — and they’ve recently taken that approach to the next level.    Their latest expansion includes a 101-unit independent living building equipped with an underground parking garage, game rooms, an art studio, a cafe, three unique dining venues and an 18-hole golf putting course with real grass. To no surprise, the expansion is almost fully occupied today, which shows just how much residents love the design and amenities. And it explains why LCS earned a spot in the SHN Architecture & Design Awards, honored for best independent living design of 2021. There’s much more to cover, so we invite you to read the full SHN coverage featuring LCS’ Sagewood community. More on LCS For Life Care Services, an exceptional lifestyle is not created by one moment, meal or gesture. It’s defined by an unwavering promise to quality and unmatched commitment to enriching experiences for...

It’s nearly time for this year’s NIC conference, an important gathering of operator, investor and health care decision makers. If you’re ready to explore the latest trends and data in senior living — while discovering new models of care — the NIC Spring Conference is the place for you. The conference will take place in person on March 23-25 in Dallas, Texas. We look forward to seeing you there! Connect with Yardi Team Yardi can’t wait to speak with you at NIC 2022. We’ll be available to chat about the Yardi Senior Living Suite, our integrated software solution built for the unique needs of operators like you.   And since the conference is data-focused, we’ll show you how our business intelligence solution offers metrics that matter for your business. Senior IQ presents actionable information in attractive, sharable dashboards to help your teams work smarter. Plus, we’ll explore how this uniquely-designed tool allows operators to gauge performance using industry comparison data from NIC. That’s right — Senior IQ uses anonymized NIC MAP data from nearby providers to present benchmarks like occupancy, average rent and more. Ready to schedule time to connect? You can fill out this form to meet us at NIC 2022. We’re also pleased to sponsor NIC Café at the conference, where attendees access complimentary, all-day service of breakfast, lunch and snacks. More info on NIC 2022 The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) supports access for America’s seniors by providing data, analytics and connections that bring together investors and providers. This mission is the foundation of the 2022 NIC Spring Conference.   NIC 2022 offers an opportunity for all attendees to build strategic partnerships and discover new models of community. Don’t miss your chance to connect with forward-thinking leaders...

Yardi Director of Health Care Solutions Fil Southerland has been appointed to the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC). The Comptroller General of the United States and head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office announced the appointment of Southerland, along with 6 other members, to serve a 3-year term.   Southerland brings extensive experience and perspective to the HITAC, where he’ll be a strong advocate for implementing health information technology in senior living. Members in other health care industries that were recently appointed include Hans Buitendijk, Steven Eichner, Rajesh Godavarthi, Hung Luu, Aaron Neinstein and Eliel Oliveira. The HITAC was established in 2016 under the 21st Century Cures Act. The committee provides recommendations to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology on policies, standards, implementation specifications and certification criteria. Specifically, relating to the implementation of health information technology that advances the electronic use of health information. “I’m  honored to serve on the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee,” said Fil Southerland, director of health care solutions at Yardi. “The opportunity gives myself, and my fellow appointees, a platform to discuss pressing issues and advise the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology accordingly. I’m pleased to bring my experience to advocate for the electronic access, exchange and use of health information in the LTPAC industry.” Fil Southerland has been involved with the LTPAC industry for over 15 years, and currently serves as director of health care solutions at Yardi, where he leads initiatives in electronic health care records and interoperability. Prior to his time at Yardi, Fil served as Founder and CTO of ALMSA, Inc., a nationally recognized cloud-based electronic health provider in the assisted living industry. With expertise in health information technology, digital privacy, LTPAC policy and interoperability initiatives, Fil is passionate about using technology...

We’re always searching for inspiring stories in senior living. And today’s story, brought to us by Yardi client Sagora Senior Living, is one you don’t want to miss. We’re here to spotlight Sagora’s blog series — Breaking Boundaries: Meet the Athletes of Sagora Senior Living — which recognizes resident athletes in Sagora communities. And while the series was inspired by the 2021 Summer Olympics, with the 2022 Winter Olympics in full swing, there’s no better time to feature these distinguished seniors. Breaking Boundaries: Meet the Athletes of Sagora Senior Living In an effort to help their residents shine, Sagora kickstarted a spirited blog series last summer. Each post follows a different resident and their exercise-related accomplishments. And while some residents are retired coaches or athletes, some simply found a passion for exercise within Sagora communities. Walking with Kay Meet Kay, a resident from Bristol Park at Cypress, a Sagora community in Texas. Kay’s blog post focuses on her inspirational journey: walking on her own. Since having a stroke over two years ago, Kay hasn’t been able to walk without assistance.   After a conversation with the community’s lifestyle director, voicing her dream of walking again, Kay began a specialized exercise program. With the right equipment, Kay started reaching new personal records each day. And she’s no stranger to dedication. Her mantra is, “I believed I could, so I did!” Photos and videos were shared with Kay’s family, as well as on the community’s Facebook page. Ready to feel inspired? Watch Kay’s progress.   Coached by Arlene Say hello to Arlene, who resides at Sagora’s Ansel Park community in California. This exercise guru was a competitive badminton player and winner of the Arizona singles, doubles and mixed doubles tournaments. From there, Arlene went on to...

The pandemic has been a challenging time for seniors. But we’re here to show the brighter side, focusing on how resilient they’ve been through it all. We’re excited to share this Age Well Study by the Mather Institute. It’s full of interesting findings, but best of all, it highlights seniors’ strength during the COVID-19 era. See below for a summary: Study highlights seniors’ resilience during COVID-19 Shared by McKnight’s Senior Living, the latest release from the Mather Institute’s Age Well Study examines seniors’ stress levels and resiliency during the pandemic. The findings — gathered from year four of the five-year study — are based on responses from 3,441 residents at 122 different Life Plan Communities across the U.S. Taking a step back, the initial goal of the study was to assess the impact of residing in a Life Plan Community. Respectively, the impact on residents’ health and wellness over time. And since year four took place during the pandemic, the Age Well Study took a slight pivot. How has COVID-19 affected seniors’ health and wellness? Have seniors become more resilient during this worldwide health crisis? What strategies help them mitigate stress? To find out, the Mather Institute analyzed: Individual characteristics (personality, personal resources, demographics)Organizational characteristicsChanges in the quality of social relationshipsCoping strategies during the pandemic The findings At a glance, the Mather Institute’s research shows:   Residents, on average, exhibited low levels of stress and high levels of resilience during the pandemicThose who were open to new experiences, who exhibited higher levels of extroversion and agreeableness, were less likely to exhibit stress and more likely to exhibit resilienceResidents who maintained quality relationships with children exhibited greater resilienceResidents who meditated during the pandemic were less likely to exhibit stressResidents who lived in smaller communities were...

How should providers maneuver the latest roadblocks in senior Living? From staffing to compliance, there’s a lot to unpack. And it’s a crucial time for industry leaders to discuss these issues — and offer solutions for the year ahead. Fortunately, that’s exactly what’s happening on February 23. Get ready for an informative McKnight’s Power Panel — Pandemic Year III: Keys to Success — sponsored by Yardi. The virtual roundtable starts at 1 p.m. EDT and you don’t want to miss it.   Pandemic Year III: Keys to Success The McKnight’s Power Panel will feature top experts from different verticals across long-term care. They’ll explore the latest issues in senior living, including staffing, compliance, reimbursement, technology and other vital subjects, then they’ll focus on tactics for the future. Join the webinar to see firsthand. You’ll learn from panelists like Yardi expert David Bellew, with takeaways on: Controlling labor costs through staffing analysisAutomating investor reportingProperty acquisitions: data planning and conversionOptimizing care service billingGoing mobile: enterprise mobile device strategies The webinar will also feature panelists TJ Griffin, chief pharmacy officer at PharMerica, Brendan McNamara, chief executive officer at Sound Physicians and Jesse Coiro, general manager and director of health and healthcare at Erlab, Inc. More on panelist David Bellew David Bellew is an accomplished leader in the healthcare industry. Currently serving as the Director of Client Services here at Yardi, David has over 20 years of experience implementing enterprise software systems. Through years of dedication, he has become highly skilled in requirements analysis, as well as managing implementations for ERP and clinical systems. Register today We hope you’ll join the conversation on February 23! Mark your calendar now and register for the McKnight’s Power Panel. To explore Yardi solutions in senior living, check out our Senior Living...

Where would the world be without problem solvers? Certainly not far. Problem solvers propel innovation and help us make the most of the resources available to us.  At Yardi, four departments of work behind the scenes to help Senior Living clients anticipate, mitigate and troubleshoot dilemmas. They are among the problem solvers that help clients explore innovative solutions and deliver quality services to customers. Yardi solutions rise to face new challenges Evolving client needs require evolving technology. As developers issue new features, client-facing team members are ready to help with change management. Craig Christensen, team leader, Consulting Practices at Yardi says, “We work in a rapidly changing environment that has been heavily impacted by COVID-19. Our developers worked quickly to implement new solutions like vaccine administration tracking for our clients.” To navigate such new functionalities, clients can access tools like on-demand resources in Client Central or live training calls. Such tools are also helpful during the onboarding and continue education processes. Senior Living has a comparatively higher staffing turnover rate compared to multifamily. The ongoing pandemic has made it even more challenging. Yardi helps clients deal with the workforce shortage by streamlining routine processes. Stephanie Joralemon, product specialist, CSD, explains, “Clients found themselves consumed with ongoing trainings. We’ve resolved this issue with a Train the Trainer approach.” Through Aspire software, client trainers gain access to role-specific trainings 24/7. Live calls and trainings help fill any remaining gaps. Clients get the education that they need to quickly and accurately move forward with their work. Improved communication where it matters most Improving communication is another challenge overcome by Yardi specialists. In the past, medical profiles received updates via facsimiles and phone calls between the pharmacy and care provider. Yardi EHR and eMAR resolve the communication issue...

It’s crucial for senior living providers to keep resident information accurate and secure — especially when it comes to medications. But when using an online system to execute point-of-care charting, errors can occur if your community loses power, or the Wi-Fi disconnects. Luckily, we have a solution. With the Yardi EHR Care Stream app, your resident data stays safe and up to date, no matter the circumstance.   Say hello to offline charting. Keep reading to learn about the latest functionality. All about Care Stream The Yardi EHR Care Stream app allows caregivers to perform order resolutions, execute electronic point-of-care charting and complete related tasks. This includes medication orders, behavioral issues, daily assignments and more. With this simplified, mobile record-keeping solution, caregivers can spend less time on administrative tasks and more time with residents. Fully integrated with Voyager Senior Housing, providers can easily connect business and resident care to keep their communities moving forward. For added convenience and efficiency, the Yardi EHR Care Stream app is compatible with both smartphone and tablet devices.   Meet offline charting How does offline charting help providers eliminate errors, empower caregivers and pass medications securely? It’s simple. Offline charting allows senior care staff to work offline, without an active internet connection, all from one central platform. And thanks to the newest functionality, caregivers can remain offline as long as needed, even if the internet is down for days. So if you’re facing connectivity issues, whether briefly or for extended periods of time, it’s not a problem. Caregivers can still log in to Care Stream and complete their work. Every input automatically saves and syncs when the system comes back online. At Yardi, we’re passionate about helping you deliver the best possible care — and making care-related tasks seamless....

Looking for a creative approach to senior living design? Look no further. Watercrest Senior Living is developing a biophilic-inspired community and it’s a sight to see. Meet Watercrest  Watercrest Senior Living is all about dedicated care. This provider upholds their mission “To Welcome, To Care, To Serve” in their thoughtfully-designed communities built to provide security, comfort, health, happiness and opportunities to help residents live their best lives. The biophilic design theme will live at Watercrest Macon, a Georgia-based community offering assisted living and memory care options.   Biophilia explained Defined as the innate human instinct to connect with nature and other living beings, Biophilia makes for an ingenious design foundation. In this case, it’s the foundation for amenities at Watercrest Macon. Building a biophilic space means incorporating natural materials and patterns in the design process. The ultimate goal is to develop a strong connection to nature — and ensure that connection is maintained. But what’s the benefit of living in a biophilic, nature-inspired environment? Research suggests that nature living can enhance mood, decrease stress, increase concentration, reduce blood pressure and more. And according to Watercrest, their biophilic-themed community is being purposefully designed with these benefits in mind. Immersed in nature at Watercrest Macon Come early 2022, when the new amenities are scheduled to be finished, Watercrest Macon will take nature living to a whole new level. Deeply rooted in biophilic themes, their fresh architectural elements aren’t often found in senior living communities. With that, congratulations are in order! Shoutout to Watercrest Macon for creating a unique, positive experience for their residents. The community’s amenities will include an oversized atrium, therapeutic moss walls, landscaped walking paths, a signature water wall, gardening stations and even an outdoor putting green. See for yourself in Watercrest Macon’s LinkedIn...

It’s no secret that technology is beneficial. For seniors in particular, tech can help with socialization, safety and everyday tasks. That’s according to Yardi client Maplewood Senior Living, who published a stellar blog post analyzing the role tech plays in older adults’ lives. So if you’re curious how certain tech solutions can benefit residents in your communities, you’re in the right place. Benefits of seniors using technology   Citing research, Maplewood shares four ways technology can enrich seniors’ quality of life: Socialization — especially during the pandemic, seniors face an increased risk of loneliness and social isolation. Fortunately, tech can be used to prevent serious, long-term effects. According to a study shared by Maplewood, Internet use by seniors resulted in lower depression and higher levels of social support. Safety — rightfully so, family members may worry about the safety of their loved ones as they age. But tech solutions are built to help. From tools that track a senior’s care patterns to devices built to alert medical professionals in an emergency, the right system can reduce risks and provide peace of mind. Entertainment — tech can provide various entertainment options for seniors. This includes online classes, games and movies. Smart devices can also provide accessibility, catering their features specifically to seniors, allowing them to receive the maximum benefit. Exercise and health tracking — prioritizing mental and physical health is key for all ages, seniors included. With the right tools, seniors and loved ones can easily track important health information like activity levels or medication schedules.   Ways to utilize technology There’s a wide range of possibilities when it comes to technology. For seniors, different solutions can transform their day-to-day lives. Maplewood offers five key ways older adults can utilize tech: Manage financesSchedule appointmentsMaintain social...

How can business intelligence (BI) software provide insightful data? Our resourceful infographic has the answers, painting a detailed picture of BI and its benefits. We’re here to share it with you. Keep reading to discover why a BI solution like Senior IQ uncovers the information needed to make smarter, faster decisions — and drive growth in your communities. Data scattered across siloed systems leads to incorrect, outdated information Senior living business intelligence is crucial for today’s providers. But disparate systems don’t compare to a single connected solution. And our infographic has the research to match. According to BI-Survey, out of companies drawing data from disparate sources, only 5% report having no significant problems. A centralized business intelligence solution is key By accessing data from a single and accurate source, senior living providers can steer their communities forward. But what are the specific benefits? How can a single connected solution transform your business? For starters, a centralized BI solution helps providers … Streamline operationsMeasure successSave timeMinimize risksEmpower staffImprove resident care Not convinced? Take a look at the findings shared directly in the infographic. But while you’re here, we’ll point to a few: 54% of enterprises say BI is critical or very important to their current and future strategies, according to ForbesFinances Online reports that companies with CEOs that spearhead data-driven decisions are 77% more likely to achieve business goals64% of users reported that BI data helped improve their efficiency, says Finances Online Transform your business with Yardi Senior IQ Senior IQ is a single connected BI solution designed for the unique needs of senior living providers. With this specialized system, you’ll gain access to … Real-time reports and dashboards450+ pre-configured KPIs plus custom optionsInternal benchmarks and industry comparison dataPrecise insights for presenting to investors or...

In the age of staffing shortages, senior living providers need creative approaches to attract and retain employees. And we’ve seen some effective strategies this year. But our newest discovery is from Yardi client Aegis Living, who’s launching a standalone agency focused solely on staffing. Meet Aegis Staffing. Smart staffing by Aegis In creating Aegis Staffing, Aegis Living is bringing originality and resourcefulness to the staffing crisis. This Washington-based provider will pilot the new, in-house agency for 12 to 18 months starting in January. Initially, the agency will focus on staffing improvements at Aegis’ Seattle communities, but CEO Dwayne Clark isn’t stopping there. In an interview with Senior Housing News (SHN), Clark says there may be opportunities to expand the service to other areas — and companies — down the road. In developing the new agency, Aegis is doing a full overhaul of the staffing philosophy they’ve followed for years. This entailed hiring full-time workers at competitive wage rates, offering time off and providing additional perks. But given the latest shifts in staffing, employees have new expectations related to work-life balance. And that’s what led Clark to take action. Aegis Staffing seeks to recruit workers and incentivize staff members in a whole new way. Attracting a new workforce While Aegis already employs seasoned caregivers, they won’t draw from their own workforce to staff the new agency. Instead, the company will recruit employees from outside agencies. They’re also widening their pool of considered applicants to include recent refugees, retired military personnel and older adults. “That’s a workforce that we haven’t been exposed to,” Clark told SHN. Aegis plans to incentivize with a high hourly rate — one that’s competitive to staffing agencies where prospective employees currently work.   Although the staffing agency isn’t up to speed...

Despite the ongoing challenges in senior living, certain providers have pushed forward, raising their level of excellence and enhancing residents’ experience. COGIR Senior Living certainly illustrates that point, and we’re here to share an in-depth look at their journey to date. That’s right — we’re rolling out our newest case study! It’s all about this leading provider’s ability to raise the bar with help from senior living technology.   Courtesy of Benoit Levesque, senior regional director at COGIR Management USA Inc. and our inspiring interviewee, this piece offers an inside look at COGIR’s road to success. Keep reading to see exactly how the Yardi Senior Living Suite gives COGIR the tools to streamline care, increase move-ins and more. Meet COGIR Senior Living COGIR Senior Living puts their residents first. As a subsidiary of COGIR Real Estate, COGIR draws upon 25 years of residential and senior living management, as well as hospitality services. Their unwavering drive to build more homes for seniors — and their dedication to quality — has positioned the company as the industry leader they are today. The challenge with disparate systems At the time they established a strong U.S. foundation, COGIR’s day-today operations involved manual processes. From tracking leads to developing new care plans, teams across the company were navigating a mixture of paper-based and electronic systems. While COGIR did have some software tools in place, each system wasn’t necessarily connected to the next. Leadership worked to unite every piece on their own using different strategies. Ultimately, the integration of the different systems — a custom infrastructure — brought new challenges. “The integration between all our moving pieces worked with some restrictions, but there was a lack of operational efficiency,” said Levesque. “Too often we were hearing, ‘I don’t know if...

For Argentum, a passion to help seniors, caregivers and families is the driving force behind their advocacy efforts. This year in particular, Argentum is fighting for targeted federal pandemic relief for assisted living caregivers. At the forefront of that mission is James Balda, president and CEO of Argentum. And given the association’s commendable efforts, it’s no surprise that Balda made Washington, D.C.’s list of top lobbyists for 2021. James Balda Argentum earns national recognition   Released by The Hill newspaper, the list of top lobbyists is an annual tradition. It recognizes people who’ve effectively drove change for their clients — those who stand out from others in the field. The 2021 honorees, like Balda, have delivered results in halls of Congress. Crediting Argentum’s staff, Balda pointed to the success of the association’s latest grassroots efforts in a company press release. This includes outreach to Congress and the White House to save the Provider Relief Fund (PRF), intended to aid healthcare providers suffering pandemic-related losses.  “Argentum members and all stakeholders in the assisted living profession marked 2021 as a crucial pivot point for our work given the financial and workforce crises our caregivers face,” said Balda. “Making The Hill’s top lobbyist list is a reflection of the hard work Argentum staff and our member providers put in and continue to put in as this pandemic is not over, nor is our fight for adequate financial relief and support.” The association’s mission Since 1990, Argentum has supported companies operating professionally managed, resident-centered senior living communities. Not to mention, the seniors and families they serve. The association is in the midst of a “Don’t Leave Us Behind…Again” campaign, urging the current administration to direct PRF funds to senior living caregivers. It’s a great honor to drive positive...

Putting senior living residents first — providing the best possible care year after year — takes a unique level of dedication. Operators need to focus on every detail of the resident experience. And Yardi client Life Care Services (LCS) is the perfect example. A big congratulations to LCS for ranking number one in resident satisfaction among independent senior living communities in the 2021 J.D. Power U.S. Senior Living Satisfaction Study. Not only did LCS earn this impressive accolade, they’re also the first and only senior living company to do so three years in a row. LCS ranks #1 in resident satisfaction The J.D. Power U.S. Senior Living Satisfaction Study evaluates resident satisfaction among top independent living providers. To rank the highest, organizations need to provide outstanding services and compassionate care. And you guessed it — LCS fits the mold. Their number one ranking, with a tremendous score of 817, is based on responses from residents across their communities. The Iowa-based company also achieved the highest score in all six factors of satisfaction, including: Resident activitiesCommunity staffPrice paid for services receivedResident apartment/living unitCommunity building and groundsDining  “Life Care Services is honored to be recognized by our customers as the best among independent senior living communities for the third consecutive year,” shared Joel Nelson, president and CEO of LCS. “We are privileged to serve nearly 40,000 seniors across the nation. This recognition is meaningful because our residents recognize and value our commitment to serving them first and foremost, even as our industry navigated challenges over the past year.” The pandemic has certainly shifted all aspects of senior living. It’s created unparalleled challenges for providers and their staff, who’ve worked tirelessly to care for residents despite ongoing restrictions and unforeseen obstacles. So it’s a special honor to...