Senior Housing and Assisted Living

There comes a point in our lives when we think about slowing down, putting our feet up and start taking things easy. Otherwise, what would be the point of all those years of hard work? But what if the chair you’re lounging on isn’t yours? And you’re sharing the TV with 10 other octogenarians? Aren’t you entitled for some personal space of your own?

That’s the reason why more and more retirees opt to employ in home elder care services. Most of us want to be surrounded by people and things familiar to us. At a time when we’re making adjustments towards a new phase in our lives, it can be just too stressful to suddenly uproot ourselves and settle on a new place with people and things unfamiliar to us.

Through senior home care, we retain some measure of independence. We don’t have to stay in nursing facilities to receive medical treatments. Because of technology, we can now receive these treatments in the comfort our own homes.

Over the years, in home elder care has expanded to include not just doctors and nurses, but also social workers, companions, homemakers, and even dieticians. Any one of them could come to your home and give you the assistance you need.

Financing has also become more flexible. Most of the time, senior home care services are covered by Medicare and/or Medicaid. Some insurance policies also cover in home care services. State and local governments also help by giving special funds to home health agencies. Then there are the private organizations and charitable institutions we can tap. Some agencies even have payment programs available to help us if we’re getting the money from our own pockets.

With in home elder care services, we now have the option to remain in our home, living alone or with the friend, and still receive some senior home care. Or we can opt to stay with our children and their family and still not be in their way.

We have to admit, we are not the same person as we were 20 years ago. There are things that we just can’t do anymore and has need for another person to assist us. And as much as we love our family, we really can’t expect them to hang around at home all day just so they can help us reach for that cereal at the top of the shelf. Not only can this put extra pressure on your family’s daily life, it can also put a strain on your relationship with your family.

By having senior home care, we are given the chance to spend the remaining part of our years relaxing in our own home, in close proximity with our loving family. Think about what you want for your future.

It’s always a hard decision for families when it comes to retirement homes and facilities for their loved ones but senior home care services are often more convenient for most people. Jen Parsens has done extensive research about this topic and knows there is an array of in home senior care services.

Sunrise Senior Living, Inc. (NYSE: SRZ) reported financial results and operating data for the fourth quarter and full year of 2009 that showed a profit in the fourth quarter of $10.4 million driven by a $48.9 million gain related to the sale of 21 communities.  For the fourth quarter, Sunrise reported revenues of $364.4 million in 2009 as compared to $398.4 million in 2008.  For the twelve months ended 2009, net loss from operations was ($132.0) million, an improvement of $215.6 million as compared to a net loss from operations of ($347.6) million in the twelve months ended 2008.

Notable highlights include:

• Average daily revenue per occupied unit in comparable communities increased by 2.5% to $190.56 
• Occupancy for the quarter in comparable communities was 86.5%, which is a decline of 350 basis points during the fourth quarter 2008 and down 10 basis points as compared to the third quarter of 2009
• Comparable community expenses decreased 3.9% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2008

Sunrise stated that it had $39.3 million of unrestricted cash at December 31, 2009 and restated that it has no borrowing availability under its bank credit facility, and has significant scheduled debt maturities in 2010 and significant debt that is in default. Of the $440.2 million on Sunrise’s balance sheet at December 31, 2009, $227.2 million of debt is scheduled to mature in 2010, including $33.7 million under its bank credit facility, which is due in December 2010. 

"We have made significant financial restructuring progress and, as promised, our attention is focused on our communities, team and residents," said Mark Ordan, Sunrise’s chief executive officer. "While we are the highest-end major senior living company in a difficult economy, we are excited by our strong operating focus and believe this will lead to an improved bottom line."

For the earnings release, click here.

For the earnings call transcript, click here.

Curious about what kind of moves people are making in this tough job market or are you looking for a job in senior housing?  Visit our Senior Housing Jobs section or keep reading if you’re curious about new hires.  Got staff announcements?  Send them to us at movers-shakers@seniorhousingnews.com.

WellAWARE Systems Announces New Appointments to the Executive Team

WellAWARE Systems announced that it has hired Mike Brindley as the company’s Vice President of Business Development, Roger Booker as Vice President of Product Development and Kristen Conklin as Vice President of Finance and Administration.

Brindley brings to WellAWARE Systems more than 17 years of senior living industry expertise both as an operator of communities as well as serving in senior level management positions. He joins WellAWARE Systems from Sunrise Senior Living where he spent the last five years as the Director of Sales and Operations for communities located in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Assisted Living Association.

Booker most recently served as an executive for LeverPoint, an international dual shore software development company, which helped develop the WellAWARE software interface. Booker is a multi-faceted executive with a record of success in Fortune 100/500 and start-up companies. He has more than 20 years of executive-level management experience in engineering, operations, manufacturing and strategic/business development.

Conklin was formerly the controller for WellAWARE Systems. She brings over 16 years of leadership experience, having held various finance and accounting management positions for Coopers & Lybrand and Capital One, supporting small and large businesses both domestically and abroad.

Maravilla Announces Appointment of Elizabeth Schierer as the New Director of Assisted Living

Maravilla, recently appointed Elizabeth Schierer as the new director of assisted living. Schierer will oversee care of the residents living in the 97 Assisted Living suites at Maravilla.

Schierer has more than 30 years of experience in patient care, both in the hospital and long term care facility setting. Most recently, she joins Maravilla from Glenview Terrace Nursing Center out of Illinois, where as the director of nursing she facilitated quality care for long-term residents and sub-acute patients. Prior to this, Schierer served as the clinical nurse liaison, overseeing patient admissions and patient hospital transfers and was also the unit director for a transitional care rehabilitation unit. Early in her career, Schierer spent several years as a head nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, in the Otolaryngology/Oncology/Plastic Surgery unit.

Lutheran Homes Society Names New Executive Director for Lutheran Home at Napoleon

Lutheran Homes Society (LHS) announced the appointment of Steve Dumke as Executive Director of Lutheran Home at Napoleon, a retirement community in Henry County consisting of independent living, assisted living and extended care options.

For the last two years, Mr. Dumke has served as Executive Director at Lutheran Memorial Home, a LHS ministry located in Sandusky, Ohio. Steve began his career with LHS as Director of Human Resources at Lutheran Village at Wolf Creek in Holland, Ohio, and was then promoted to Assistant Administrator at that campus.

As Executive Director, Mr. Dumke will be responsible for the ongoing operations, community relations, and business development of the Lutheran Home at Napoleon campus. The campus includes the 100-bed Lutheran Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 40 Alpine Village assisted living residences, and the expanding Bavarian Village of independent living apartments.

“During his time at Lutheran Memorial Home, he led staff in achieving an amazing improvement in quality, resident satisfaction, and financial performance. Steve is a servant with a strong faith and, with the Lord’s guidance, he will bring the same dedication and leadership to the Napoleon campus that he has demonstrated at Lutheran Memorial Home,” stated David Roberts, President/CEO of Lutheran Homes Society.

THE PLAZA HEALTH SERVICES AT THE BUCKINGHAM NAMES DIRECTOR OF NURSING

The Plaza Health Services at The Buckingham has named Suzanne Mitchell-McNeill, RN, MS, EMBA, director of nursing.  The announcement was made by Julie Fenske, executive director of The Buckingham.

“Suzanne brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the importance of quality of life to her role as director of nursing,” said Fenske.  “Her strong leadership abilities, extensive health care experience and dedication to residents and family members will ensure that the level of service at The Buckingham continues to exceed the expectations of the community we serve.”

Prior to joining The Plaza Health Services at The Buckingham, Mitchell-McNeill served as vice president of clinical services and director of nursing at the New York Congressional Nursing Center. She has more than 10 years experience in long-term care in both a community setting and private care.  In her supervisory roles, she has implemented visionary programs to promote staff education and team building in addition to innovative clinical services to promote organizational efficiency and measurable outcomes.

Mitchell-McNeill holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Administration and master’s degrees in Management and Business Administration.

Senior Housing Jobs

Looking after an older person is a job that’s tough enough without having your elder turn against you. Any person who discovers themselves in a position where they will end up being needing support is not going to be considered a happy camper to begin with. How you handle the situation will probably – mostly – determine how your elder feels about the overall process as well as their particular feelings towards you.

It can’t be stressed enough – as long as your elder isn’t suffering from dementia, or has a medical condition that does not permit reasoned discussion – you need to include him or her in the process of finding out a plan for brief and maybe extended care.

In case you are worried that you’ve given your senior the understanding that you have taken over the entire operation and in the process hurt their thoughts or triggered him or her to turn in opposition to you, take a look at the following six indicators that may indicate you have certainly “taken over. When you find that these kinds of signals illustrate your situation, it’s time to take a step back. Sit down and talk over the situation together with your elder and have him or her help you get things back on track so that they are more involved with the choices working with their care.

1. Do you ever find yourself talking with your elder like a parent would to a youngster vs. having a talk adult to adult?

2. Are you making blind assumptions relating to your elder’s needs without asking them?

3. Do you find yourself scheduling health-related or social visits without asking your elder’s inclinations first?

4. Does your senior ever accuse you of trying to run his or her life?

5. Do you find yourself carrying out things for your elder that they might do for themselves together with or without devices that could help him or her? Performing things on their own is critical for elderly folks.

6. Do you shoot from the hip whenever offering ideas prior to asking just what your elder thinks concerning a particular situation? Do you even ask if they consider there’s actually an issue in play? If so, do you question them to deliver options or responses for the particular issue being talked about?