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...

Do you ever get tired of kittens making headlines? Neither do we. Yardi client Pacifica Senior Living transforms the lives of residents one purr at a time. Its property, the Meridian at Anaheim Hills, is warming hearts and improving outcomes for residents with weekly Kitten Therapy Day! 1051922 The program offers benefits for residents and felines. Kitten Therapy Day: the start of something wonderful Meridian business manager Lori Irby first brought kittens to the office back in 2019. She is an ASPCA foster caregiver . When newborn kittens were abandoned at the Orange County animal shelter, she took them into her home and into her office where she could feed them every few hours. Shortly after setting up a playpen for the kittens in her office, residents took interest. Irby received an influx of guests. She noticed how quickly the kittens made their impact on the residents: disinterest transformed into engagement and smiles graced faces that had been chronically tense or sad. Irby decided to collaborate with the site activities director to begin Kitten Therapy Day every Wednesday. The event shifted from Irby’s office into one of the community’s shared spaces. All residents who are cat allergy-free are welcomed to snuggle up with the kittens. For residents who cannot leave their rooms, Irby places a few kittens in a stroller for kitten therapy on the go. “For many, it’s the highlight of the week. It’s given residents something to look forward to, especially during the pandemic when no visitors could come in. There’s just something really warm and comforting about holding a purring kitten,” says Irby. The kittens usually stay in the Meridian program for about eight weeks before they are formally put up for adoption through the ASPCA. More often than not, there’s already...

The current staffing shortage is a pressing challenge in senior living. How can providers support their staff, improve resident care and keep their communities in sync? That’s the focus of this brand-new ebook, a collaboration between Senior Housing News and Yardi. This resource — Workforce in Crisis: 4 Ways Tech Supports Senior Living Staff — offers key tips for today’s providers. Explore this senior living guide Curious how technology is helping senior living communities through the staffing shortage? Here’s a snapshot of the four areas covered in the ebook, complete with input from real-life providers using tech solutions: 1. Easing the burden with an EHR Given the staffing crisis, electronic health records (EHRs) are more important than ever. A well-designed tech solution like Yardi EHR optimizes care plan workflows, promotes dynamic staffing management and more. Yardi client Anthology Senior Living offers insight in the ebook, noting the benefits of a connected EHR system.  “There’s just a lot more opportunity for growth and development, and of course efficiency, when you start utilizing an EHR,” says Kim Smart, director of systems and support at Anthology. 2. Easing the burden with an eMAR When coupled with an electronic medication administration record (eMAR), the benefits of an EHR are enhanced further. The ebook dives into the importance of this integrated duo, exploring exactly how it helps senior living staff maximize efficiencies.   Yardi client Sagora Senior Living knows firsthand how Yardi eMAR, an integrated solution, streamlines medication management and enables emergency staffing patterns.  “We cross-trained the key associates in our communities in the ways of managing medications, in case they needed to assist — and in many of our communities they actually did have to assist,” says Brenda Abbott-Shultz, RN, VP of resident services at Sagora. 3. Easing...

It’s nearly time for the annual Argentum Senior Living Leadership Summit, a 4-day event gathering thought leaders and policy makers in senior living. This one takes place December 5-8 in Amelia Island, Florida. With a range of speakers set to host inspiring sessions, the can’t-be-missed event will spark conversations on the most pressing topics in senior living. Most importantly, leaders will discuss relevant solutions for today’s challenges. You’ll find team Yardi at the summit, too. We’re pleased to be a sponsor and we can’t wait to meet you there. Check out the details Argentum is a leading association in senior living. They’ve proudly advocated for choice, independence and quality of life for all seniors since 1990. They’re expert at bringing industry leaders together for insightful discussions, networking and learning. And this year’s summit, inviting C-suite and corporate leadership from senior living’s most influential companies, is no exception. Hosted at the Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, the schedule includes: The Argentum Board of Directors and member group meetings (December 5-6)The Argentum Advocacy Fund Golf Classic (December 6)The Senior Living Leadership Summit (December 7-8) Speaking sessions start December 7, covering intriguing topics such as: Tested Strategies for Driving OccupancyDemographic Strategies for the Post-COVID EraWorkforce Technology and Solutions You can check out a more detailed agenda from Argentum. For a list of event speakers, visit this page.   Meet with us at the Argentum Senior Living Leadership Summit Not only is this a stellar opportunity to convene with fellow leaders, address industry obstacles and discuss the future of senior living, it’s also a chance to explore innovative solutions built to drive your business forward. We invite you to find team Yardi to chat about our single connected solution, designed for the unique needs of senior living management. We’ll...

Founded in 1979, American House Senior Living Communities is continuing their legacy of care today. Their vision has been — and still is — to provide quality housing for seniors at an affordable price. American House operates over 54 communities centered in Michigan and spread throughout the Midwest, New England and Florida. This Yardi client is the gold standard for passionate resident care, which they’re currently taking to the next level. We’re proud to spotlight American House for working through SAGECare, an inspiring step toward building LGBT-inclusive communities. American House joins SAGECare What does SAGECare entail? First, let’s cover who SAGE is. Dating back to 1978, they’re a fast-moving organization with a mission to support LGBT seniors. Their advocation efforts extend across federal, state and local levels. More specifically, SAGE works to: Mobilize LGBT people and alliesEducate policy makers on LGBT aging issuesRelease original policy briefs and other key resourcesLead coalitions that include diverse seniors in policy conversationsMarch and rally with LGBT seniors, plus allies SAGECare is SAGE’s training and consulting division, which assists senior care agencies in creating LGBT-inclusive services. They’ve proudly trained over 60,000 providers across the country — all of whom earned the respected SAGECare credential. Completing the training is a purposeful mission for American House. SAGECare focuses on improving providers’ knowledge in the LGBT space, teaching them to identify bias against LGBT seniors and ultimately, helping them address prejudices that impact LGBT seniors’ quality of care. SAGECare also provides marketing materials to companies like American House, offered once the training is complete. This includes symbols for providers to highlight their earned credential, along with their commitment to LGBT seniors. They’re also listed as a credentialed provider on SAGE’s website. Learn more about SAGECare, a cultural competency training program for providers...

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, seniors and their families have experienced loneliness and isolation. From enforcing strict lockdowns to limiting in-person visits, senior living communities have seen this firsthand. So how can communities work to improve seniors’ quality of life? One theory, developed by two UC Santa Barbara professors, is through virtual reality (VR). Specifically, through VR sessions with seniors and their loved ones. This theory is being put to the test with seniors at Maravilla Santa Barbara. Testing the power of VR sessions With 21 pairs of Maravilla residents and remote family members, professors Tamara Afifi and Nancy Collins began their research in 2020. Their goal remains to show the impact of VR technology on social connection — and quality of life — for seniors residing in communities. Not to mention, the impact of VR sessions on these seniors’ family members. In this highlight, Collins explains the bigger picture of the study. “The long-term goal is to find ways to use innovative technologies to reduce social isolation, strengthen family bonds and improve quality of life for older adults with varying levels of cognitive impairment,” she said. According to the pilot study findings, VR sessions reduced feelings of loneliness, improved moods and helped enhance seniors’ quality of life. For families, the VR sessions led to better moods and less caregiver guilt. “A family is a system, so when you help one person, you’re helping the whole family,” explained Afifi. “This is especially true for caregivers, who can bear a particularly heavy burden in terms of stress and guilt.” Afifi and Collins also tested how memory decline effects seniors’ engagement during VR sessions. They found that seniors with mild cognitive impairment were more kinesthetically engaged in the VR experience, whereas seniors with mild to moderate dementia...

We’re always working to upgrade solutions in the Yardi Senior Living Suite. We chat with clients, test new ideas and make adjustments each year — all to help senior living providers succeed. Improvements and fresh features are bundled and released for our clients to enjoy.   With that, Yardi Voyager Senior Housing 7.15 is now available. It’s packed with exciting features and enhancements. We’re here to share it with you. Explore this rundown of the latest and greatest functionality in the Yardi Senior Living Suite:  Voyager Senior Housing New amenity-based pricing featureAbility to add attachments to move-in checklist itemsPrimary payer change function for residents whose services can’t be managedFresh reports including financial move-in and move-out activity Watch the overview video RentCafe Senior CRM Prospect persona and competitors trackingAmenities and inventory matchingOption to assess residents for billing recommendations, included in the leasing workflowNew preset report filters for your end users Watch the overview video EHR Ability to set minimum and maximum durations on default care plan actionsNew service plan audit report that shows changes in care plansOption to perform assessments on a prospect’s co-occupantUpdates to alert charting that enable separate corresponding alerts Watch the overview video eMAR Prescribers Connection interface now available for U.S. pharmacies, Kroll interface now available for Canadian pharmaciesNew EPCS feature for physicians to sign orders for controlled substancesOption to chart certain interfaced orders before they’re verifiedNew physician review queue to periodically review and digitally sign residents’ order profiles  Watch the overview video In addition to watching the overview videos, you can also read our new features guides. Ready to upgrade? Get in touch and we’ll get to work. If you’re new to Yardi, check out our brand-new infographic to learn about our solutions in senior living....

What comes to mind when you think of Yardi software development? Techies at their desks, typing out code? Designers creating user-friendly interfaces? Clinicians, nurses and accountants might not be first in mind, but they play an essential role in the development of our senior living software. Get a behind the scenes peek at the workings of our Clinical and Compliance teams. These specialists come from a range of backgrounds, lending their expertise to develop software that works for you. Nurses, accountants, operators, oh my! Programmers and graphic designers create software, but it takes droves of other specialists to customize program features for the unique needs of clients. That’s where the Clinical and Compliance teams work their magic. It’s a two-fold purpose: to interpret the needs of clients (and relay it to the techies) and to interpret legalities that must be considered during development and updates. Lisa Conrad, manager of Clinical and Compliance at Yardi, leads a team of medical professionals and regulatory specialists that advise on product design and content. “There could be a misconception that the team is all nurses.  Our team is comprised of members from differing professions and education. Each team member does have a healthcare background, but we cover the gamut from billing, operations, regulatory and clinical expertise.” Conrad, for example, began her career in informatics as a director of nursing for a provider in a long-term care facility. She adds, “We feel these diverse skill sets help us provide well-rounded content and solutions for the clients.” Big challenges offer big rewards for senior housing software professionals Senior wellness software is a particularly delicate field. Unlike commercial and multifamily tools, software that contains and transfers electronic health records ensures positive health outcomes. Prompt, efficient and accurate programs are more important...

We’re back with another event recommendation, this time for the CALA 2021 Fall Conference & Trade Show. If you’re ready to connect with senior living leaders — and discuss the future of the industry — this is the conference for you. Meet CALA The California Assisted Living Association (CALA) is dedicated to the betterment of assisted living, memory care and continuing care retirement communities. As the only association solely representing the state’s residential care facilities for seniors, they’re an industry leader. Their members include over 660 providers and 150-plus businesses, all supported through CALA’s leadership, advocacy and education. This year’s CALA Fall Conference is a great chance to reconnect with colleagues and re-engage your drive in senior living. More about the conference Filled with informative sessions and networking opportunities, the CALA Fall Conference attracts top decision makers, clinical staff, marketing professionals and more. It’s set to take place November 8-10 in Palm Springs, California. To explore the full show schedule, start here. CALA has an expansive list of their planned sessions. Note you’ll need to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to attend the CALA Fall Conference. Their updated list of health and safety protocols can be found here. Back to the event sessions! From learning how to move forward with your business given the pandemic’s challenges, to learning about today’s top technology solutions, the conference has something for everyone. You can find team Yardi throughout the 3-day event, too. Be sure to stop by Booth #37, where we’ll chat about the Yardi Senior Living Suite — our single connected solution for senior living providers. We’ll show you how tools like Senior IQ can drive your business forward. We’re also pleased to be sponsoring the Awards Celebration Luncheon, planned for November 10 at 12:30...

With a range of industry events taking place this year, it’s an exciting time for senior living providers. There are several opportunities to learn, network and grow.  We’re here to share an upcoming event — an impactful conference that joins health care leaders and senior living executives. Check out the NIC 2021 Fall Conference: Investing in Seniors Housing & Care Properties.   The conference will take place on November 1-3 in Houston, Texas and is welcoming attendees in person. Yardi is pleased to be a sponsor of the event, as we partner with NIC to drive transparent data in the seniors housing sector. We hope you’ll attend to get an inside look.   Come together at NIC 2021 The 2021 conference marks the association’s first in-person event since the onset of the pandemic. With the goal of reuniting thousands of providers and stakeholders, NIC is gearing up to make this their best conference yet. It’s an exceptional opportunity to learn from business leaders across the industry. Specifically, the 67% of attendees who are senior-level executives. How can you drive your business forward now — and in a post-pandemic world? What new approaches can you take to care for residents? The 3-day event will be packed with discussions and answers. Note that NIC is requiring proof of vaccination to attend. You can explore the full scope of their health and safety measures here.   See what’s in store  Attendees can expect three days of educational programing focused on a variety of topics. If you’re ready to hear insights and perspectives from industry leaders, policy makers and more, this is the conference for you. According to NIC, topics will include: Capital for operationsDebt market trendsCase for investing in seniors housingForgotten middle marketMacroeconomic and capital market trendsPolicy...

For Pacifica Senior Living, this year’s National Assisted Living Week (NALW) was spent gathering residents, paying homage to assisted living caregivers nationwide and celebrating their own staff.  It’s always a pleasure to spotlight our clients, like Pacifica, during NALW. Led by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), the annual celebration encourages organizations to honor those who reside, work and volunteer in assisted living communities. Pacifica did just that, going above and beyond to honor their care staff. Celebrating NALW Honoring this year’s NALW theme — Compassion, Community, Caring — Pacifica invited their staff and residents to an array of uplifting events. They shared a snapshot on social media, too. In communities from North Carolina to California, Pacifica’s week-long celebration gathered everyone with delicious food, an in-house “Price Is Right” game and NALW-themed arts and crafts. There’s more, but we’ll let you explore the photos for yourself! You can find a range on Pacifica’s LinkedIn page. The dynamic senior living company also shared their appreciation for staff members with words of gratitude. They highlighted the resilience of their caregivers — and assisted living staff across the nation — during the pandemic. “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges to all assisted living communities in America for the past year and a half,” shared Pacifica on LinkedIn. “This National Assisted Living Week, we want to recognize all the efforts put forth by the staff of Pacifica Senior Living communities for all they have done and continue to do. Thank you.” Last but not least, they took the time to honor individual employees. Check out this spotlight of Enrique, a personal care assistant at Pacifica. Get to know Pacifica Utilizing Yardi’s senior living management software, Pacifica Senior Living strives to create communities where residents feel at...

The senior living industry has undergone extreme changes in the last year. But leaders are banding together to develop new roadmaps at this year’s LeadingAge Annual Meeting + EXPO. Taking place in person on October 24-27 in Atlanta, Georgia, the event offers an opportunity to join the senior living conversation. How should you navigate the field today? What tools, services and practices can help your communities prosper? Experts and fellow attendees alike will share their answers.   Not to mention, you’ll have the chance to connect with team Yardi at Booth #1331. Our representatives will show you firsthand how technology drives success in senior living. Look ahead at LeadingAge 2021 LeadingAge is a dedicated senior living association working to help the next generation of older adults live their fullest life. They strive to empower their members to transform the aging experience for everyone. With that, they spearhead one of the industry’s biggest events each year — the LeadingAge Annual Meeting + EXPO. The event is packed with four days of invaluable sessions that encourage learning, networking and more. You don’t want to miss this one. And despite going virtual in 2020, this year’s event will allow everyone to reunite in person. That said, LeadingAge is prioritizing your health and safety. Among their many protocols includes the requirement that all attendees, speakers and exhibitors show proof of vaccination. Read more about the event’s COVID-19 safety measures.   Visit Yardi Booth #1331 Ready to find the right tech-enabled tools for your organization? We invite you to stop by Yardi Booth #1331. Our team is excited to show you around the Yardi Senior Living Suite — a single connected solution for senior living management. Whatever questions you have, we’ll be there to answer them. You can expect...

Selecting the right senior living community isn’t always easy. Whether you’re exploring communities for yourself or a loved one, it’s challenging to know which will be the best fit.    So in an effort to help consumers make better decisions, U.S. News & World Report has launched a “Best Senior Living” initiative. The well-known publication will rate U.S. senior living brands, ultimately curating a list of trusted communities. Set to be released in the first quarter of 2022, this will cover individual independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care retirement/life plan communities. Meet the “Best Senior Living” initiative Best known for their lists of hospitals and colleges, U.S. News & World Report is entering a new arena — senior living. And unlike their “Best Nursing Homes” ratings, which incorporates data from public sources, “Best Senior Living” will survey residents and families from participating communities.   To conduct the surveys — between now and the end of 2021 — U.S. News has partnered with Activated Insights. Coming from the 2,500-plus communities who have already pledged participation, C-suite executives shared their input in the program’s early stages. Others who gave advice include Argentum President and CEO James Balda, NIC President and CEO Brian Jurutka, NIC Co-Founder and Strategic Adviser Bob Kramer and LeadingAge President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan. U.S. News has already incorporated feedback, with one change being the results for CCRCs will now be presented in two categories — entry fee communities and rental communities. How to participate For communities looking to participate, the first step is taking part in the survey. Crafted for residents and families, the survey includes assisted living CoreQ questions developed by the National Center for Assisted Living. Additional questions will focus on dining, management, services, amenities and...