Senior Housing and Assisted Living

Many folks who need a Lightweight Wheelchair furthermore require extra help in funding them. Quite a few people look to Medicare for financial aid with wheelchairs or other medical equipment, but this process is neither easy nor rapid, and if your retailer offers you any help you should accept it. It shouldn’t matter whether you are submitting your own paperwork or if an organization is doing it for you, however; you will need to initiate the process with one or two large pieces of information.

First, Medicare will not cover the complete expense of Folding Wheelchairs. Medicare could pay 80% of the price, and then you or your supplemental insurance will be charged for the balance of the cost. Happily, most retailers will not bill you the full cost of the chair immediately; they simply invoice you for your 20% and wait until the check arrives from Medicare before requiring the balance. Of course, this could go smoothly if you communicate with your manufacturer to be certain that the model you choose is pre-approved by Medicare. If you purchase the chair but your paperwork is not approved, then you will either need to bring back the item or fund the other 80% of the expense, which is going to hurt.

Medicare is especially finicky about who receives wheelchairs, and why. You may be bewildered by a bit of the thinking which governs this program. Regarding this subject, if you have to use a wheelchair to function in your living space, they will happily reimburse your for the cheapest option which will help you out.

However, if you function just fine at home if you have a cane yet just require a wheelchair for grocery shopping, you are out of luck. Medicare is only concerned about ensuring that you can access your bedroom. Even though the concept of a motorized wheelchair might be tempting, Medicare is going to need a statement filled out by your doctor stating that you are unable to move a manual wheelchair in order to help you purchase a motorized one.

Next, Medicare will not help you obtain Lightweight Folding Wheelchairs directly. Whatever the situation which causes you to need a wheelchair, Medicare will only permit you to rent a wheelchair for 10 months, then consider your case and figure out whether to permit you to buy the chair. This practice will have no consequence on your ability to keep the wheelchair, although it will be reflected in the paperwork that you are renting the chair instead of purchasing it.

As you have figured out, dealing with Medicare is a very convoluted experience. Companies that manufacture wheelchairs and other mobility aides have become alarmingly adept at navigating through the red tape, so it is a good idea to work closely with your equipment provider. When all the paperwork is finished, you will get your wheelchair home and proceed with more enjoyable things. Happy wheeling!

Tariq Yaman works with an Wheelchair Disability Scooter website that educates consumers about the Lightweight Folding Wheelchairs.

Jarlette Health Services announced the opening of its newest facility, Waterside Retirement Lodge, on February 1^st, 2010.  Waterside Retirement Lodge is a two story building with 89 suites, including self contained apartments, studios, 1 Bedroom suites and 1 Bedroom + Den suites as well as 2 bedroom suites. Waterside Retirement Lodge will include such amenities as: a Spa room, elegant dining room featuring a certified Chef, a hair salon / barber shop, lounges with fireplaces, patios, theatre room and a fitness center.  Started in 1970 in Midland, Ontario by husband and wife team Alex and Bobbie Jarlette, Jarlette Health Services has a total of 17 Retirement and Long Term Care Homes throughout Ontario.

The National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry (NIC) announced that there are now over 600 industry operators, financiers, association heads and government representatives in the skilled nursing sector currently registered for NIC’s new event, the National Skilled Nursing Investment Forum.  NIC is expecting the event to sell out soon and it will feature various experts which will look at The Impact of Healthcare Reform on Long-Term Care and Especially on Skilled Nursing Facilities: The View from Washington, D.C.  The inaugural National Skilled Nursing Investment Forum, debuting in San Diego, California on March 8-10, is overlapping with NIC’s Regional Symposium which is happening on March 9-11, 2010.

The general session of the Regional Symposium will feature Sam Chandan, newly appointed global chief economist and EVP of Real Capital Analytics, who will use his expertise to provide strategic insight into policy and regulatory initiatives that impact commercial real estate. Following his forecast for commercial real estate fundamentals, Chandan will provide an analysis of seniors housing and the availability of capital for the industry.

Senior Housing News will be there…will you?

For more information visit, NIC’s Regional Symposium website.

As the ground thaws, more people are making moves in the job market.  Check out a few of the changes announced for the week of February 19.  Submit senior living job changes and appointments for your 2010 staff announcements to movers-shakers@seniorhousingnews.com.

Nancy Cutter Appointed Vice President of Development and Construction at IDG

Nancy Cutter brings more than three decades of experience in all facets of real estate development, including 10 years of senior living community development, to her new position as IDG vice president of development and construction.  Prior to joining IDG, Cutter was assistant vice president of development for Classic Residence by Hyatt in Chicago. There, she was responsible for managing project development from design through construction commencement for several continuing care retirement communities.

During her career, Cutter has held senior-level positions with numerous real estate development companies in the Chicago area including Urban Innovations, LCOR Inc., Parkside Senior Services and Mesirow Stein Real Estate. Cutter holds a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in architectural studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  She began her career as a project architect with the architectural firm of Harry Weese and Associates in Chicago. Cutter is a resident of Wilmette, Ill.  

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. Announces Shane Seitz Promoted to Vice President, Investments

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. (NYSE: NHP) announced the promotion of Shane Seitz to Vice President, Investments. "Shane has made an immediate and tremendous contribution to NHP since joining us in May 2008 to help grow our medical office building segment. With extensive MOB underwriting experience and an impressive array of healthcare system and industry relationships, he has been a major contributor to the expansion of our MOB platform," said Don Bradley, NHP’s Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer. Shane has been involved in real estate investment and management for over 12 years. Prior to joining NHP, he was responsible for MOB acquisitions for InSite Medical Properties, an affiliate of NHP’s former MOB joint venture partner, The Broe Group. Previously, he was an MOB analyst with Hammes Company, the nation’s largest developer of healthcare facilities.

Kathryn DeCoursey Appointed Vice President of Development and Finance at IDG

Kathryn DeCoursey has more than a decade of experience in real estate finance and development, including five years in the senior living field. Most recently, she served as assistant vice president of new business development at Classic Residence by Hyatt where she was responsible for managing the investment analysis process for new development and acquisition opportunities.   Prior to that, DeCoursey evaluated investment opportunities in a wide variety of asset classes throughout North America as an associate in Deutsche Bank’s real estate private equity group in New York. She began her career at the Illinois Housing Development Authority, where she was responsible for underwriting  affordable housing developments.

DeCoursey earned a master’s degree in business administration from the Kellogg  School of Management at Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in economics and English from the University of Notre Dame. She lives in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.

The Legacy at Willow Bend names James Rowland executive chef

James Rowland has been named executive chef of The Legacy at Willow Bend, a retirement community located in Plano, Texas.  With more than 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Rowland joins The Legacy at Willow Bend with an impressive background.  Rowland has been executive chef at such local venues as Hotel Crescent Court in Dallas, Stouffer Hotel in Dallas, and Willow Bend Polo and Hunt Club in Plano.  His experience also includes upscale hotels, resorts, and clubs, including Dallas National Golf Club, Bistro Nous restaurant, Syosset Seafood, and the Registry Hotel in Addison.

In addition, Rowland traveled the world as a corporate chef for Forest Hills Hotels and Resorts where he established standards training at the Palazzo Arzaga in Brescia, Italy; he developed a food and beverage profile for two dining boats on the Nile River in Cairo, Egypt; and he developed a new concept plan for the Circles Restaurant at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia.

“I am excited to be a part of The Legacy at Willow Bend,” says Chef Rowland.  “Food is a sensual experience and I want my ‘customers’ – the members of the community – to be confident that I will deliver well thought out, quality food every day.  Communication and personal touches are most important when working as a chef.  I want to learn from The Legacy members and customize my meals to their tastes.”

Find a new job in the senior housing industry

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. (NYSE: NHP) today announced results of operations for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2009 that showed Diluted Funds From Operations (FFO) Per Share $2.27 for the full year.  These results were slightly lower than 2008’s Diluted FFO Per Share of $2.29.  NHP announced that it issued 2.3 million shares of our common stock at an average price of $33.27 per share, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $76.2 million during the fourth quarter.  The company anticipates acquiring majority interests in joint ventures that own the Mission, Orange, and Pasadena, CA assets and the 55.05% interest in the two San Bernardino, CA assets during the first quarter 2010.  NHP announced as part of its earnings release that its FFO guidance per share range is from $2.05 to $2.09 and adjusted diluted FAD guidance per share range is from $2.01 to $2.05.

"We began 2009 with the capital markets under extreme duress and the recession gripping the U.S. economy. During that difficult period, NHP’s primary goals were to fortify its already strong balance sheet and further enhance its liquidity position. These goals were clearly accomplished as evidenced by upgrades to our investment grade rating, leverage-related statistics among the very best for investment grade REITs and over $1 billion of available capital," commented Douglas M. Pasquale, NHP’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "For 2010, our strong financial position combined with improvements in the capital markets and the economy has shifted our attention to growth. In February, we acquired two PMB properties for $90 million and improved our multi-year development agreement with them. We expect to close on another five PMB properties before the end of the first quarter."

NHP Q4 2009 Earnings Press Release

10-K

Supplemental Data on it’s 8-K