A feature on bed bugs was one of the most popular postings in the early years of The Balance Sheet. With higher post-pandemic travel volume, resistance to pesticides and other factors increasing the pest’s numbers in the U.S., this seems like a good time to revisit the issue. What are bed bugs? The common bed bug is a crawling, 5-millimeter-long oblong insect that feeds on human blood and causes itchy welts. Documented in the U.S. since Colonial times, bed bugs were largely eradicated by the 1950s but came back in the late 1990s due to rising international travel and a lack of public awareness about pest prevention. Where are they found? Just about everywhere. A National Pest Management Assn. survey in 2018 reported that single family homes, apartments/condominiums and hotels/motels are bed bugs’ most common targets. They can hide in couches, bed frames, luggage, stuffed animals, purses and even lamps. They’re also present in nursing homes, schools, daycare centers, libraries, offices, college dorms, hospital and public transportation. In office buildings, they can lurk in cubicle dividers, underneath raised floors, beneath alcove moldings, in folders and in computers and other equipment. Is there any good news? Yes, sort of. Bed bugs don’t transmit or spread disease, latch onto skin, form colonies or nests (although they do aggregate), fly from host to host, damage building structures or live in human hair. And the presence of bed bugs is no reflection on a property’s cleanliness. They feed on blood, not filth. “They’re not cockroaches. They don’t feed on debris. You could have a pristine environment and they could still get introduced,” says Mike Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky. Best of all, bed bugs’ presence can be curbed with the right measures. Such as? Here...

In the face of inflation and rising costs of living, some affordable housing residents may struggling this year. Here are some creative ways to provide for families at your properties. Residents could be struggling with rising grocery prices. Local food banks and kitchens are the best options. Create easily available resources, such as a website page or flyer posted in community common areas, letting residents know where they can find assistance with groceries. Many food banks provide healthy foods as well. Find a guide to local food bank locations here. If your location allows, onsite community meals are another idea, which could be prepared with resident help or assistance from a non-profit willing to visit your location. For families with small children, childcare assistance is available in many regions. Become familiar with local resources and regulations in order to best assist residents. Consider a weekly or monthly activity for children living at the community so that parents can have a short break. Refreshments, games, or a movie afternoon are easy ideas for potential entertainment. Affordable healthcare is challenging to access for many, especially seniors who may have limited transportation options. Talk to local public health clinics and consider holding a quarterly mini-health assessment clinic. This can benefit all age groups. Many nonprofits help with health and wellness and are able to provide access assistance. If not onsite, a pickup/dropoff transportation service may be available, and you can share that information with residents. Car services like Uber and Lyft can get very expensive. For residents who do not have a personal car, consider having a “taxi” service available for them for a moderate fee. This can benefit many who need to pick up prescriptions or do quick errands. For residents who need access to technology,...

We’re pleased to share a new round of updates in the Yardi EHR Care Stream App, our on-the-go platform for senior care staff. We’re continuously striving to improve our solutions in the Yardi Senior Living Suite, including the accompanying apps, and hope our clients enjoy the latest functionality Care Stream has to offer. See below for a snapshot of what the update entails: About Care Stream As a brief overview, the Yardi EHR Care Stream app allows nurses and other senior care staff to access resident health records, perform order resolutions, execute point-of-care charting and more from a single, mobile platform. Care Stream is accessible on both smartphones and tablets, allowing more staff members to utilize the app depending what devices their community has available. Taking a step back, Yardi EHR is our full-service electronic health record solution for senior living. Learn more about Yardi EHR. New features and enhancements Focusing on what’s new and improved in Care Stream, the app now includes the following functionality: You can now view, add and edit daily log entries and progress notes in the app. In resident view, tap the new daily log or progress notes button below the resident header to add a new entry or to view previous entries The add observation button (for initiating one-step assessments) has been replaced by an observation button located between the new daily log and progress notes buttons You can now view and record vital signs in the app. In resident view, tap the new vitals button below the resident header to record a new vital or view a filterable list of previously recorded vitals Download the app As always, these updates were developed with client feedback in mind, and to help senior care staff succeed. We hope you...

Many of us have changed the way we go about our daily lives since social distancing efforts began in late 2019. Not only have we rolled with the changes, we’ve embraced them, morphed them into something better, and created new ways to work with each other. A major change affecting affordable housing providers and public housing agencies came in a notice from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in 2020 by which HUD authorized use of electronic signatures in place of “wet” (i.e. ink) signatures to execute documents for many of its housing subsidy programs. Examples of affected programs include: Project-based Section 8 Rental Assistance Demonstration Project-based Rental Assistance (RAD/PBRA) Section 202 Senior Preservation Rental Assistance Contracts (SPRAC) Section 202/162 Project Assistance Contract (PAC) Section 202 Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) Section 811 PRAC and Project Rental Assistance (PRA) Rent Supplement Section 236 (including RAP) Section 221(d)(3)/(d)(5) Below-Market Interest Rate (BMIR). Why are e-signatures a game changer for subsidized housing? Eliminating ink signature requirements save time and money for affordable housing providers and public housing agencies. Rather that dealing with paperwork, these organizations can now set up digital workflows that reduce paper usage and storage costs. Those online workflows can save significant staff hours and create more time to serve residents. E-signatures are more convenient for affordable housing and PHA applicants and residents. They can execute documents when they have a free moment, instead of taking time off work or from childcare to visit an office to sign forms. Audits are also faster, easier and safer with the use of e-signatures. Because workflows are paperless, auditors can monitor files without having to come into an office. Instead, they can access affordable housing and PHA files from a remote workstation to...

To ring in the new year among our senior living team, we’re doing one of our favorite posts — one that features our senior living clients! That is, we’re highlighting clients’ positive stories and celebrations from the 2022 holiday season. We hope these bits of magical, holiday wonder help you start the new year off with a smile. Holiday momentum in senior living At various Maplewood Senior Living communities, the holiday season was filled with creative activities for residents. We’re talking classics like wreath-making and Christmas tree decorating, all the way to an educational class on official White House ornaments. Maplewood also shared one community’s participation in a local holiday toy drive in which residents, families and staff donated to gift to children in need. You can find cheerful photos from each holiday event on Maplewood’s LinkedIn page. Benchmark Senior Living partook in quite a few holiday activities, too. You can see for yourself in this carousel of photos on Benchmark’s social media, which features things like community decorating and residents singing around the piano. Our personal favorite might be this compilation of holiday cookie recipes Benchmark shared, featuring their residents’ top picks. We may have to save these for baking year-round! Residents at a Watercrest Senior Living community enjoyed a holiday feast with loved ones this Christmas season, before heading for horse-drawn carriage rides. Did we mention hot cocoa and freshly-baked cookies were involved? There may not be any horses spotted in their social media collage, but you’ll see another surprise visitor (think red suit, white beard) enjoying the evening with residents. The community even did a second round of this event, pictured on LinkedIn as well. Tapping into the magic of Christmas Eve, check out this video shared by Brightview Senior Living,...

This is the latest of our periodic updates on the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the U.S. Department of Energy’s statistical and analytical agency. EIA collects, analyzes, and disseminates energy information for the benefit of energy policymakers, analysts and consumers. Winter costs on the rise The EIA expects higher wholesale electricity prices this winter in every region of the country, with increases ranging from 33% higher in California to more than 60% in the mid-Atlantic and Central regions. Electricity price could peak more than three times higher in New England than elsewhere in the U.S., due to limited pipeline capacity for liquefied natural gas coupled with stronger global demand for LNG. In one encouraging sign for consumers, the EIA does not “expect retail electricity prices to increase as much wholesale prices this winter,” said Administrator Joe DeCarolis. Batteries on growth curve through ‘25 Developers and power plant owners plan to significantly increase utility-scale battery storage capacity in the U.S., reaching 30 gigawatts by the end of 2025. Batteries store extra energy produced by intermittent resources such as wind and solar. Battery storage capacity in the U.S., negligible prior to 2020, grew to 7.8 GW by October 2022, with 1.4 GW more capacity expected by the end of the year and an additional 20.8 GW through 2025, more than 75% of which will be in California and Texas. Developers have scheduled more than 20 large-scale battery projects to be deployed by 2025. The 409 megawatt Manatee Energy Storage in Florida is currently the U.S.’s largest operating battery storage project. Uptick in commercial building efficiency A recently released U.S. commercial buildings energy consumption survey report shows that the average total amount of energy used per square foot in commercial buildings decreased by 12% from 2012 to...

Curious how the right technology can help you optimize staff efficiency, maximize occupancy and boost revenue? In our new ebook, in partnership with McKnight’s Senior Living, you’ll discover how CRM tools thoughtfully designed for senior living drive success. Read the highlight below then read the ebook for all the insights, including a closer look at RentCafe Senior CRM (our single connected solution).   How to choose the right CRM technology Given the life-changing nature of moving into a senior living community, it’s important for sales counselors to connect with prospective residents in a thoughtful, strategic manner. And in today’s day and age, CRM technology is available to aid that process throughout the prospect to resident journey. The right CRM helps sales staff track and nurture leads, build positive relationships and so much more, but not all solutions are built the same. For providers, a CRM solution needs to be designed for the unique needs of senior living in order to maximize success. That’s a key focus of the ebook, which shares the benefits of senior living CRM tools and offers guidance on selecting the solution for you. “A good CRM should do the work for you and allow you to focus on what’s most important: building relationships,” says ebook interviewee Candace Seidle, senior living team leader at Yardi. Discovering RentCafe Senior CRM In an effort to illustrate how the right CRM solution builds success, the ebook spotlights our single connected solution, RentCafe Senior CRM. This all-in-one platform is part of the Yardi Senior Living Suite for senior living providers. Not only does RentCafe Senior CRM help you nurture leads from first contact to move-in, it’s also configurable, mobile-friendly and fully integrated with key elements of your business. The ebook covers top benefits and reasons...

When exploring a software solution, you may wish to see testimonials from that vendor’s clients — those who can speak to benefits and results based on their own experience.      At Yardi, we strive to capture these testimonials in various ways. Meeting with our clients to chat through their journey — and see how our solutions are helping them succeed — is our favorite thing. And a recent interview with one of our fantastic senior living clients is no exception. We’re pleased to share pieces from our conversation with Kim Smart, director of systems and support at Anthology Senior Living, in our brand-new case study. The case study covers Anthology’s success with the Yardi Senior Living Suite, featuring Smart’s firsthand experience implementing, customizing and using new tools (plus so much more). We encourage you to read the case study in full, but for now, enjoy the highlight below: Meet Anthology Senior Living Anthology Senior Living, CA Venture’s senior living platform, works to provide their residents with the best hospitality and care. The company develops, acquires and operates senior housing communities across the United States with options for independent living, assisted living and memory care. Anthology has a total of 37 communities in their portfolio, with growth on the horizon. The challenge with antiquated processes Prior to welcoming the Yardi Senior Living Suite, Anthology relied on manual processes. Not only were the processes time consuming, they also increased the risk of errors and led to miscommunication among teams. With a range of communities to serve and rapid expansions underway, the company needed software built to streamline workflows, save time and reduce errors across the board. They searched for a solution that covered every need — software that combined resident care, sales, finance, business intelligence and...

We have reported on pet-friendly policies for multifamily properties, senior living communities and coworking spaces. So how about traditional offices? Are attitudes about pets in the workplace evolving? As recently as 2015, about 8% of U.S. businesses had pet-friendly policies. While only about 15% of employers let employees bring pets to work six years later, according to a survey by Southern California mobile pet groomer Barkbus, more employers are open to the idea. With 23 million U.S. households having adopted pets during the COVID-19 pandemic, “employees are prioritizing pets in their choices of where to work—and this affects employers’ willingness to allow pets onsite,” Forbes asserts. Employers such as Google, Ben & Jerry’s, Tito’s Vodka, Cliff Bar & Company and Atlantic Health System have established onsite pet-friendly policies. Some companies offer insurance, care stipends, onsite dog parks, time off for adoption or bereavement as part of their benefits package. A potential competitive advantage A 2021 study by job-seeker resource LiveCenter found that 94% of people were supportive of having pets in the workplace. Tolerance extends beyond cats and dogs to significant (although somewhat lesser) support for fish, birds, rodents, amphibians and reptiles. As a result, there are “increasing numbers of workplaces where you can take your pet to work and reap the benefits of pet ownership no matter what your work schedule,” Forbes reported in February 2022. And, adds personal finance information resource FinanceBuzz, “pet-friendly companies may even have a leg up over competitors: pets in the workplace can decrease employee stress levels and improve trust and communication between co-workers, which increases productivity.” Feasibility checklist Obviously having pets isn’t possible or desirable in every location, such as construction sites or workplaces restricted by lease and health regulations. But companies considering adopting pet-friendly policies might consider...

Yardi had an exceptional year in 2022 as we focused on supporting our clients, employees and communities. Here is a look back at some of the highlights: YASC celebrates 40 years: Yardi welcomed 3500 clients to San Diego for three days of learning, networking, exposure to exciting new technologies, and fun. Yardi president and founder Anant Yardi addressed attendees at the San Diego Convention Center, the first time YASC has utilized such a large venue for its general session gatherings. After sharing some of the highlights for other real estate sectors – including rising rents in the multifamily space, an increased focus on built-to-rent single-family developments, and a need for more affordable housing nationwide – Mr. Yardi reflected on the journey Yardi has taken as a company over the last four decades. “It really has been just an incredible journey and an adventure. And for that, I thank all of you, our clients, and our employees,” shared Mr. Yardi. Forbes Cloud 100: Yardi was named to the Forbes 2022 Cloud 100, the definitive ranking of the top 100 private cloud companies in the world, published by Forbes in partnership with Bessemer Venture Partners and Salesforce Ventures. Yardi was a member of the inaugural Cloud 100 in 2016 and is No. 51 this year. The Forbes 2022 Cloud 100 was published online at forbes.com/cloud100 and appeared in the August/September 2022 issue of Forbes magazine. “We’re honored that Forbes has again recognized Yardi for our cloud technology and services,” said Jay Shobe, senior vice president of cloud services at Yardi. “Congratulations to all the cloud technology leaders that made this year’s list. It reflects the efforts of our employees and the incredible support of our clients worldwide.” HBCU scholarships announced: Yardi continued a longstanding focus on education this year and announced the establishment...

“When will it happen?” That question often arises in discussions of employees returning to the office when COVID-19 fully subsides. But as the third anniversary of the pandemic’s onset approaches, that question might be superseded by two others: “Do employers want their employees to return?” and “Do employees want to return?” A Gallup survey in June 2022 that indicated 60% of fully remote workers would be “extremely likely” to look for other opportunities if their employer decided not to offer remote work at least some of the time. Meanwhile, some employers have made it clear that they want employees back for the career-building, mentorship and institutional knowledge creation that in-person interaction facilitates. Others want to make use of their investments in campuses and facilities. Also, in the case of the securities industry and others, it’s easier to execute compliance, legal, risk, audit and regulatory obligations onsite rather than remotely. “During these times of the pandemic, sense of belonging has been broken. The workplace enables that sense of belonging,” says Gia Ganesh, vice president of people and culture at Florence Healthcare, a clinical trial software provider in Atlanta. But many employees have grown accustomed to working from home, with family obligations, high gas prices, automobile maintenance and lingering COVID cases all weighing against spending 40 hours weekly in the office, even factoring in the socialization opportunities. “Employees really want flexibility and choice over where, when and how to work. They don’t want to be told: ‘You need to be here on these days.’ They want to be able to choose,” Ryan Luby, associate partner at McKinsey & Company, told CNN. Hybrid work as an alternative Fifty-two percent of respondents to a CBRE survey in June 2022 intend to reduce their office space over the next...

As companies embrace hybrid work, flexible workspaces are becoming a popular solution for many employees. But how can owners and managers of coworking space – which is in major growth mode –  raise the bar and make coworking spaces not just attractive, but irresistible? Here are some creative ways to attract workers to coworking spaces. The main advantage of coworking in flexible spaces is typically the open-plan space designs. Gone are the cubicles and assigned desks. Now you can have more room to enable collaboration with team members and other users in the office. But let’s take it up a step further and include a robust coffee and snack bar Include all the fancy fixings for coffee and cold brew, like syrups and creamers. You can include a snack bar with healthy options of various protein bars, fruits, and plant-based snacks. If your budget cannot bring the amenities into the office space, pick a location close to a trendy coffee shop. Think outside the typical Starbucks coffee location and look for a popular local coffee café. Coffee shops that offer a variety of drip coffee, CBD coffee, artisan coffee, and even various teas will be more attractive than just a typical Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts.   Another creative way to attract employees to flexible coworking spaces may be to have the office next to a doggie daycare facility. Since the pandemic started, many people have become very close to their fur babies. Leaving Snoopy at home all day alone is traumatizing for both owner and dog. Some doggie daycare facilities may even offer a discount for businesses nearby. Workers can come and have a focused workday, and Snoopy can have a day of play and exercise. You could even take it a step further...

Recruiting new staff topped many company’s lists of challenges in 2022. With a new year on the horizon and the job market still siding with job seekers, let’s explore some tips to help you hire the best employees on the market in 2023. First, effectively communicate your company’s core values and culture. Lead with integrity. Without effective marketing of your corporate mission, vision and values, your recruiting process will fall flat. Your ideal hire will be compatible with these values and excited to embrace your corporate motto as their own. Look for an attitude and outlook that’s positive, proactive and productive. Training job-based skills will be no problem if you’ve found a strong personality match. Leverage your network. Referrals from current employees, social media, and mentors are great networking resources. “It’s not the lack of resources, it’s your lack of resourcefulness that stops you,” says Tony Robbins, entrepreneur, and American best-selling author. Resourcefulness includes home grown networking, so encourage current employees and trusted industry colleagues to share your job postings. “Turn your employees into recruiters by encouraging employee referrals. Alert them to open job requisitions, and motivate them to recruit talented friends with monetary and other incentives—extra time off, prime parking spaces, free lunches, etc. One of the hidden benefits of hiring via employee referrals is that your employees probably know more about your corporate culture than external recruiters—and more likely to recommend candidates that will end up being a good fit,” shares Laurie McCabe, co-founder at SMB Group. When recruiting new talent, take care to ensure that they vibe with your current staff. Teamwork has a direct effect on productivity and profitability. Teamwork makes the dream work! Be sure to prioritize communication skills. Communication skills are more subtle than hard skills like technical knowledge, distinguishing...

Simply providing an open desk isn’t enough for coworking and flexible workspace providers in Canada. What else must space operators do to attract and retain tenants in this dynamic business? That was the topic of a recent panel discussion moderated by Warren Hersowitz, regional sales manager for Yardi Kube. The session at The Buildings Show in Toronto explored ways that space providers can serve members and improve staff efficiency at all stages of the business, from lead generation, IT infrastructure, and space and member management to accounting. Here is a recap of the key points discussed among panelists Christine Andrews, founder of Toronto coworking space provider Acme Works and a founder of Deco Group, a consultancy, and Kane Willmott, cofounder and CEO of iQ Offices, Canada’s largest independent coworking company. Maximize the member experience Creating value in a coworking space requires more than “just good coffee and Wi-Fi,” said Andrews. Settings that are attractive, enable flexible use of furniture and other items and provide opportunities for human connections help operators differentiate their offerings from competitors. “You, and your tenant, will get more out of the spaces when you include the human experience. Only focusing on the space misses an opportunity to charge more per square foot,” added Willmott. He described workspace leasing as shifting from a business-to-business model to business to consumer. Augment the experience with tech With shared space more prominent in the post-pandemic world, technology for managing shared space can make the difference. “Prospective tenants are less inclined to tour the space. That’s where a website that operators can use to post amenities as well as manage leasing and operations management makes a big difference,” Andrews said, adding, “Look for solutions that make it easier for your staff by speeding up the...

Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) is a focus for many senior living operators. And thanks to a recent survey conducted by the Senior Living DEIB Coalition, we can see how operators’ efforts look today. The report reveals where the industry stands in terms of diversity — and shares how organizations can drive positive change moving forward. Be sure to read more on the Senior Living DEIB Survey for all the insights, but we put together a summary to highlight the main takeaways:   Survey reveals diversity efforts in senior living Previewed back in March, the Senior Living DEIB Survey provides baseline data regarding diversity initiatives. The data acts as a starting point for establishing trends in the senior living space, which future surveys will build upon.   While there’s still work to do in terms of operators improving diversity within their organizations, according to the report, the industry is starting from a place of strength. Summarized by McKnight’s Senior Living, the report reveals that: 95% of participants said they are taking steps to recruit potential employees from underrepresented groups 90% of responding organizations focus on gender, race/ethnicity and sexual orientation, whereas age and religion are less commonly used dimensions of diversity 73% of senior living professionals in participating organizations are women. Overall, 53% of employees are white, and 46% are people of color 56% of survey participants’ companies have a formal DEIB committee responsible for developing and implementing DEIB strategies or initiatives 27% of participants have a formal DEIB program, whereas 46% have implemented some initiatives or policies 17% of executives in participating companies are people of color, with 40% of women in executive roles This data was captured from 44 participating organizations across assisted living, memory care, independent living, skilled nursing...

It’s December 1, and most people are still catching up to the fact that the holidays are here. So how can you motivate yourself and your office team with end-of-the-year goals? The good thing about setting goals at the end of the year is that you form a new habit before the new year begins. Here are some tips for establishing effective goals for the year ahead. Setting end-of-the-year goals can be a bit tricky since the holidays will affect when employees are available and many take time off. Start by setting SMART goals and make them a priority every day. SMART stands for: specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Goal setting in the workplace can range from performance achievements to professional development ambitions. All well-crafted goals are aligned with larger key business strategies. For example, if you want to work on professional development, have employees complete some training courses that are provided on Yardi Aspire or LinkedIn learning before a performance review comes around at the end of the year. If your company offers any upcoming webinars, have employees attend if they are available then share findings with the team during weekly meetings. Create a game plan with SMART goals and write them down. A goal without a plan is just a wish. In a world of computers, sometimes actually writing out the goal will be more motivating and achievable. If you think of a goal like a spell, writing comes with spelling so when writing them out you are already casting that spell out there. Make goals a priority. Give them your focus, energy, and attention daily. Create a specific game plan that drives the outcomes on ROI. Emphasize attainable goals and set consistent goals for employees with similar responsibilities. Refrain from...