The senior living industry is anything but static. Leaders are constantly challenged with new obstacles as the industry changes, prompting the need to get creative, develop unique strategies and keep a pulse on what disruption lies ahead.   To help you assess what change is coming in 2024 — and learn thoughtful ways to navigate it — Senior Housing News (SHN) is hosting an impactful roundtable webinar this month! The webinar will feature an amazing panel including three of this year’s Changemaker honorees as well as a special guest from team Yardi. We’re pleased to sponsor the webinar and bring you fresh perspectives from each contributor. Explore the key takeaways to expect and get the registration information below. Get the details and meet the Changemaker panelists Not familiar with the Changemakers series? You can learn more in our recent wrap-up post here on the blog, but in short, it’s an inspiring interview series honoring a batch of senior living trailblazers. Yardi and SHN have partnered each year for the last five years to recognize these individuals, gathering their stories and advice for all to enjoy.   With the 2023 Changemakers offering insights relevant to today’s operators, it’s only fitting they speak in the upcoming roundtable webinar. The webinar — Senior Living in Flux: C-Suite Changemakers Discuss a Transforming Industry — is set for October 18 from 1-2 p.m. CDT. In attending, you’ll have a front row seat to the panelists’ fresh ideas and viewpoints, learning exactly where they see the biggest potential for change in 2024. Get ready for insights from: Yardi client Earl Parker, Chief Executive Officer, Commonwealth Senior Living Yardi client Sarabeth Hanson, CEO and President, Harbor Retirement Associates (HRA) Sevy Petras, Chief Executive Officer, Priority Life Care Meet the special guest,...

If you’ve visited The Balance Sheet recently, you’ve likely seen our posts about Changemakers, an interview series that spotlights innovative leadership in senior living. As a sponsor for the fourth consecutive year, we’re honored to shine a light on each leader’s story. The in-depth interviews are released in batches by Senior Housing News (SHN). And the latest group of honorees includes Changemaker Bryan McCaleb, president of Sagora Senior Living and someone who embodies what it means to put residents first. About Bryan McCaleb As president of Sagora, a Yardi senior living client and resident-focused organization, Bryan McCaleb knows how to push boundaries and build success. Most importantly, he stands behind Sagora’s mission to help seniors enjoy retirement with style and dignity. Since joining the Sagora team in 2006, McCaleb has helped the organization serve seniors — exceeding their wants and needs — through exceptional residential alternatives. In his detailed interview with SHN, McCaleb shares how Sagora has grown in such a competitive landscape, sharing how promoting internal team members has made the difference. Read a portion of Bryan McCaleb’s interview below:   SHN: As you think back on your career in senior living, what changes have you driven that you’re especially proud of? McCaleb: Our company has always made a difference through creating. The term “Resident first” may be a cliché in our industry, but it is not a cliché at Sagora, where we have a motto “Resident First, Team focused and Quality centered.” We’ve worked hard over the last six years to create a team member-first environment. If the team member is our focus, they can take the care focus from us. From my seat, it really makes a difference. When they’re happy to be there and they feel appreciated, every aspect of...

As an expert who’s redefining the future of senior living, it’s no surprise that Ben Burke has earned a place in this year’s Changemaker class. Recognized by Senior Housing News (SHN) in a special interview series — proudly sponsored by Yardi — Ben embodies what it means to be a senior living leader.   About Ben Burke Yardi client Ben Burke is the president of Anthology Senior Living, a platform that develops, acquires and operates communities as an affiliate of CA Ventures. With extensive experience in the industry, Ben has brought unique, strong ideas to Anthology — including the initiative to create high quality communities at an attainable price point. Under Ben’s leadership, Anthology is leveraging smart and economical design, technology and operational flexibility to stay ahead of the curve. Through the Changemakers series, Ben shares the fresh ideas he’s put into action at Anthology. He delves into the advantages of being vertically integrated, the importance of putting residents first and more. Here’s a highlight from the SHN interview: Can you speak to the ability to develop better products by being vertically integrated? The advantages from the new development side are endless. The heads of our development team, investment team and acquisition team sit at a table every single Monday with the heads of our operations and asset management teams. We talk about every single deal in detail. Then, once a month, we have what we call a “Super Thursday Meeting,” and we go through everything that links operations and development. Whether that’s design, construction timelines, or some of the areas like sales trailers and pre-opening and signage, we talk in detail about all these topics. FF&E [furniture, fixtures and equipment] is a huge area. The business is so nuanced from both an operational...

In a one-of-a-kind series sponsored by Yardi, Senior Housing News (SHN) is recognizing pioneers driving the future of senior living. Deemed 2021 Changemakers, these leaders have taken unique steps to transform their organizations — tackling unforeseen challenges along the way. Say hello to Adam Kaplan Adam Kaplan is an accomplished Yardi client and the founder and CEO of Solera Senior Living. Selected as a member of this year’s Changemakers class, Adam has shown that taking an innovative approach to senior living is key to evoking positive change. Since founding Solera in 2016, he’s pursed a focused strategy to take on complex projects — helping Solera grow into an organization with a hospitality-driven culture, empowered teams and a commitment to resident care. With insights captured in his Changemaker interview, Adam shares where Solera is headed next, how he’s driven change and what he’s learned during his years in senior living. Here’s a highlight: As you think back on your career in senior living, what changes have you driven that you’re especially proud of? Many of the changemakers [in this series] are the pioneers who paved the way for people like myself. I don’t see myself as a changemaker, I see myself as somebody who has been fortunate enough to build on a foundation that was put in place by the incredible senior living entrepreneurs who came before me. That said, the industry today is still led by many of those pioneers. While we’ve attracted a lot of talent to the industry, I think we’ve done a pretty poor job of attracting talent into operations as the industry matures. Many entrepreneurs have come into the industry through startups in technology, services and media, but the same cannot be said for operating companies. When I left Senior...

This year, Senior Housing News (SHN) has honored a variety of senior living leaders through their Changemakers series. And without fail, each member of the Changemakers class is inspirational, unwavering and transformative in their approach to industry obstacles. That certainly describes Yardi client Fee Stubblefield, founder and CEO of The Springs Living. Headquartered in McMinnville, Oregon, The Springs Living owns and operates multiple senior living communities across Oregon and Montana. Fee started the company in 1996 with a mission to create communities that felt like home and since then, he’s elected positive change in the company’s design and operations. That’s exactly why he was chosen as a 2021 Changemaker and interviewed in this special series, sponsored by Yardi. In this excerpt from his SHN interview, you’ll learn how Fee has led The Springs Living through a period of change — and how he’s preparing for the future. Plus, you’ll get an inside look at Fee’s approach to innovation, his dedication to senior living and his tolerance for risk. Do you agree that change-makers are risk-takers, and secondly, how do you describe your own personal tolerance for risk? I would say that we’re probably categorized as both innovators and risk-takers, but I don’t see it that way. I don’t see it as risky. This is what we’ve learned. This is what we believe the market wants and we have hedged it in ways that we think makes sense — that eliminates risk. It’s been really fascinating to see how different people look at the mountain from a different side. When you go on a hike, you look up the hill and you think, okay, I’ll remember that spot when I get there, and then when you get up there, it looks completely different. Our view...

To earn a spot in this year’s Changemakers class, you have to be a special type of leader. It takes a natural catalyst for change — and someone who’s an exceptional visionary in the senior living industry. That describes Doug Leidig, president and CEO of Asbury Communities.   Since joining the Maryland-based nonprofit over 20 years ago, Doug has dedicated himself to enhancing the lives of seniors. And since becoming president and CEO in 2015, he’s implemented fresh ideas to transform Asbury into a diversified aging services organization. His drive and innovation earned him the Changemaker title for 2021. Brought to you by Yardi and Senior Housing News (SHN), interviews are conducted with Changemakers like Doug. This gives you an inside look at their path to leadership, plus a chance to access their advice and expertise. In the below excerpt from Doug’s SHN interview, you’ll learn how he’s creating a lucrative future for Asbury Communities. Doug also talks about how he’s pushed through obstacles in the face of change.   Can you walk me through the evolution from a CCRC provider to more of an aging services model? Was it strategic or did it come together piece by piece as you diversified the company? It’s been purposeful, but it’s taken us about three or four years. I had been convinced for quite some time that standalone senior living CCRC businesses are at risk. Maybe not tomorrow or five years from now, but moving down the line, I think there are risks. We all know that we have to change our offerings on our campuses, especially to meet the next generation’s demands. I also knew that 98% of our revenue comes from CCRCs, from the resident rates, so you have to think, “How do I...

How can you transform the senior housing sector? For Torsten Hirche, president and CEO of Transforming Age, it’s accomplished by forming new partnerships, offering diverse services and building quality communities. Given his creative approach to senior living, Torsten has been recognized as a 2021 Changemaker through the Yardi-sponsored interview series with Senior Housing News (SHN). In leading Transforming Age, a Seattle-based organization that now serves 55 communities, Torsten has learned the ins and outs of leadership, strategy and more. In his Changemaker interview, Torsten explains how he navigates the social, technological and economic changes facing the industry. He also gives an inside look at how he’s helping Transforming Age stay ahead of the curve. Check out this excerpt: What are one or two of the changes that you are most proud of leading at Transforming Age or in the senior living industry at large? First and foremost is the team. It’s been a hell of a ride and the team has stretched, grown, risen to the task and always showed up. I’m proud of them. That includes both legacy team members and the team members we’ve added. The people we serve have gone through a lot of changes with us. Open communication played a major role in our success there. Change is hard for the people we serve, especially when it occurs at high velocity. The repositioning of Parkshore is a change I am proud of. Parkshore is one of our flagship communities, but it was a diamond in the rough. It needed a lot of attention and the residents were extremely accommodating, even at the rapid pace we were moving. We communicated, created a dialogue together and walked through the changes so everyone was on the same page. Our governance model also underwent...

Ready to meet another Changemaker — a one-of-a-kind leader in senior living? Through the 2021 Changemakers series, a collaboration between Yardi and Senior Housing News (SHN), senior living leaders are recognized for their ability to invoke change and create success. With their insights captured through detailed interviews — released in batches — you gain a front row seat to hear their stories and advice. Introducing Jill Vitale-Aussem We’re excited to present another Changemaker, Jill Vitale-Aussem. In addition to being president and CEO of Christian Living Communities (CLC), Jill is the author of “Disrupting the Status Quo of Senior Living.” Talk about being an expert on driving change in the industry. From her previous work to now leading CLC, a Colorado-based organization serving over 3,000 seniors, Jill has learned to push through challenges, think outside the box and implement new strategies. In this excerpt from the SHN interview, Jill reveals the steps she’s taking to lead CLC toward a bright future. She also sheds light on her core philosophy — to recognize senior living residents as citizens who can, and should, actively contribute to creating vibrant communities.   Describe a change or changes that you’ve led throughout your career in senior living, that you’re most proud of. When I started with CLC back in 2009, it was in the early stages of a huge campus redevelopment project. The community had been there for more than 30 years, and it was time to breathe life into the birthplace of the organization. The goal of this redevelopment was to bring the community together and add life plan apartment homes to the campus. This project brought together people of different socioeconomic backgrounds to create a sense of oneness and community. We also developed a resident leadership group to...

How can senior living leaders drive change, all while prioritizing resident care in their communities? Ask Michael Joseph, founder and president of Clover Group and member of the 2021 Changemakers class. From building a company model to serve middle-income seniors in independent living — to operating 40 communities with expansions on the way — Michael has become quite the industry trailblazer. In this year’s Changemakers series, a collaboration between Yardi and Senior Housing News (SHN), interviews are conducted with pioneers across the industry. For Michael Joseph, his unique pathway to serving the middle market has earned him the Changemaker honor. Check out this excerpt from the SHN interview where Michael highlights his approach in navigating change, along with his strategies for shaping the middle-income segment in senior living. Can you highlight a few changes that you have driven that you are most proud of, or that you believe have been most significant to Clover or the industry? I think the greatest achievement we’ve done at Clover started with the very first deal. I think the greatest achievement is that we focused on a segment of the society that no one else focused on, which was the middle-income, independent living person. The focus at the time and frankly until very recently was the wealthy — with either what was then called assisted living, or upscale senior communities like Del Webb-type places — and then the poor, where you had low- to moderate-income tax credit deals to provide senior housing, and subsidized nursing homes. What we didn’t have was anybody focusing on the healthy, middle-income person, who had very terrible options at the time. Their options were to move in with one of their kids, stay in a house that they could no longer really live...

With challenges on every horizon, the senior living industry needs leaders who aren’t afraid to channel new ideas — and invoke change. For Les Strech, a recognized Changemaker, being a catalyst for change is second nature. Through the Yardi-sponsored interview series with Senior Housing News (SHN), leaders are honored for their insightful contributions in senior living. Namely, their ability to pair difficult conditions with forward-thinking strategies and transformative actions. Deemed the second member of the 2021 Changemakers class, Les Strech embodies this fully — having led Thrive Senior Living through various challenges in the last decade. Journey to Changemaker Les Strech is president of Thrive Senior Living and a longstanding Yardi client. With extensive experience in senior housing, he’s continued to stand out as a visionary leader who redefines standards and challenges long-held design beliefs. In streamlining operations over the years, Thrive has implemented senior living suite products including RentCafe Senior Living, RENTCafé Senior CRM and Job Cost. In this excerpt from the SHN interview, Les talks about the various facets of change within senior living today — sharing the steps he’s taken to stay ahead of the curve. Can you talk about the early days of the company and the growth plans at that point from the perspective of change? I came into the industry as chief operating officer of a smaller-sized freestanding memory care portfolio. That was my viewpoint, and the heart for me was making a difference for folks with changing cognitive ability. It really became a thirst and a hunger to understand what dementia is and how it impacts people, families and the world. One of the things that I consistently talk about on leadership is that the biggest difference between you today and you five years from now is...

It’s time to recognize a new wave of senior living leaders! Published by Senior Housing News (SHN) and sponsored by Yardi, the Changemakers series is back for 2021 — highlighting exceptional leadership in the senior living industry. With insights captured through in-depth interviews, this year’s Changemakers are recognized for their unique strategies in navigating industry challenges. And there’s no questioning the obstacles the industry has faced — especially during the pandemic. But these visionaries have pushed forward. They’re utilizing their knowledge and skills to pave a bright future in senior living, and they’re here to share their expertise. Released in batches over the next several months, the first interview is ready for you to explore: Meet Terri Cunliffe Changemaker Terri Cunliffe is President and CEO of Covenant Living Communities & Services, a non-profit operator of senior living communities. Since joining the organization in 1988, Terri has devoted her career to improving the lives of seniors — quickly evolving into the leader she is today. Appointed as COO in 2010 and later CEO in 2015, she’s expanded the efforts of Covenant Living and its many communities, introducing proactive measures every step of the way. And with over three decades of experience, Terri is no stranger to change. In the following excerpt from the SHN interview, see how Terri’s knowledge — and dedication — have proven successful in maneuvering through an ever-changing industry, all while leading Covenant Living’s journey to growth. To be a changemaker, you’ve got to be willing to take risks. Do you agree with that? How would you describe your own risk tolerance? When I think of risk, I think the longer I’m in the role, the more risk I’m willing to take, because I understand the implications of that risk. If we...

It’s easy to attribute the successes of a company to exemplary individuals. Think Steve Jobs of Apple or Elon Musk of Tesla. But in truth, their accomplishments wouldn’t have been possible without those who supported them. Marc Vorkapich is quick to say that his people are the key to success. As the principal and CEO of Watercrest Senior Living, a Yardi client, he’s brought together a team of “servant leaders” who inspire trust from both residents and staff. It’s earned the company a Great Place to Work award, and it’s also caught the attention of Senior Housing News. They’ve given him the title of Changemaker for his history of nurturing strong leaders and promoting collaboration at Watercrest. When they asked him about the association between embracing change and taking risks, Vorkapich made it clear that although he may be in charge, his team gives him the confidence to see things through: “When a call for change derives from a desire to serve something greater than ourselves, any sense of risk is far outweighed by the depth of purpose. My risk tolerance is high, as my entire career over 27 years has developed by having faith that I and others surrounding me have been equipped for what lies ahead.” And during the pandemic, his commitment to teamwork and service has helped ensure that Watercrest can continue to provide great care. In this excerpt from his Changemakers interview, Vorkapich describes their COVID-19 response and offers his thoughts on how the virus may impact senior living as a whole. Do you see Covid-19 changing the senior living industry in lasting ways? If yes, how? One thing is certain, there is an increased awareness and understanding of the importance of having a highly competent operations management team laser-focused...

Charlie Trefzger is no stranger to change. Already this year, as president and CEO, he oversaw the rebrand of his company from Affinity Living Group to ALG Senior. At the same time, he reorganized his company’s operational structure. ALG communities now have more autonomy in how they operate, able to make decisions and take action without a set directive from headquarters. That’s not to say that Trefzger and his team don’t support their communities, however. When the coronavirus first started making news, they instituted change after change to ensure resident safety. They reacted fast thanks to having prepared well in advance just for this sort of emergency. “We implemented a pandemic flu policy some time ago. Since, we have tailored it to the COVID-19 policy, which is founded upon the CDC guidelines,” said Trefzger. “We’ve been drilling and practicing that for a good portion of the last year, and Lord have mercy, here we are right now dealing with it.” In recognition of the transformations Trefzger has driven, Senior Housing News has inducted him into the 2020 class of Changemakers. Read on to learn what steps ALG took to slow the spread of COVID-19 and how he believes the pandemic will impact senior living going forward. What have been the biggest changes that ALG Senior has made since COVID-19 hit in mid-March? Gosh, what hasn’t changed? There have been so many things that we’ve had to adapt to, such as visitation; narrowing our network of health care professionals; gathering data and having a greater reliance on data; the screening of our employees; using technology, both for visits as well as data-gathering and for activity programs; the need to address loneliness in our residents and trying to be innovative with visits. Probably our biggest change...

The past decade has been one of extensive change for the senior living industry. In the wake of the Great Recession, many organizations reorganized and consolidated to adapt. The following years saw steady growth and new construction. Now, in the present day, the pandemic is driving transformation and action at a never-before-seen pace. John Cochrane, president and CEO of non-profit HumanGood, has led his company through all of it, adjusting course when needed to better serve their communities. In his Changemaker interview with Senior Housing News, he opens up on his experience. “In a curious way, I think that the economic crisis was a turning point for the industry, and certainly for our company, in creating urgency and creating the need for clarity and accountability,” Cochrane said “That’s where a lot of what we’re doing today started, more than 10 years ago.” With its impact on the industry, COVID-19 has made it clear that speed, transparency and accountability are necessities. Keep reading to discover how HumanGood responded and what Cochrane and his team are doing to successfully adapt to disruption. First, this year has brought unprecedented change. How has HumanGood responded? The pandemic has changed the world, bringing new challenges on how to protect our communities, team members and residents. Operationally, we have sharpened our focus on infection control protocols, communications and technology solutions. The pandemic has shined a big spotlight on our ability to operate safely while continuing to provide an on-brand experience in this dynamic environment. One of the biggest changes we have made, and continue to refine, is to tracking and testing for COVID-19. The ability to trace and test will impact our industry’s ability to provide the services, and care, that can help our residents and team members live their...

The pandemic has impacted every segment of the housing industry, but it poses an even higher risk for the most vulnerable in our society. Safe, secure and stable housing has never been more essential. David Block is the director of development for the Evergreen Real Estate Group, which builds, acquires and manages affordable and market-rate multifamily communities across the Midwest. Their portfolio comprises a large number of independent senior living communities, and the company has excelled in adaptive reuse. That is, converting older buildings like hospitals into subsidized communities for those in need. Welcomed by local agencies and appreciated by residents, these unique projects have also caught the attention of Senior Housing News. They’ve given Block the title of Changemaker and interviewed him for his insights on innovative housing solutions as well as the company’s COVID-19 response. Keep reading for excerpts from the talk. Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected Evergreen’s senior housing business? Do you think that it could lead to any longer-term changes in senior living? It’s been all hands on deck for our entire team. We have a portfolio of about 10,000 units [including] total units that we own, units that we manage for others, and of that, I think a little more than half are seniors. Our property management side has been working very hard to make sure that the senior sites, in particular, are secure. We’re not limiting visitors yet because these are, by and large, independent living facilities. They’re apartment buildings. They’re not health care facilities like those that have been hardest hit. We’re certainly sending out information to our tenants. We’re making sure that our staff are trained in the hygiene and the protocols that are out there to try to slow the spread of this virus. We’re...

Doing things differently is part of what separates Changemakers from the pack. At Priya Living, Founder Arun Paul fully lives up to that expectation. He’s built Indian-inspired independent living communities that bring together not just older adults but people of all ages, races and religion. “When the young people would come in, we started hearing those comments like, ‘This place, we love it. Could we live here if we wanted to?’ We said, ‘We have vacant units, and we need to fill them. Yes, sure. Why not?’” said Paul. Priya Living now has three communities in California with a fourth on the way. They’ve instituted an a la carte model for services, where residents can use their smartphones to request food, care, transportation and other necessities. This willingness to try new approaches has also helped them adapt safely to the pandemic. They were taking steps in the first week of March to prevent the spread of infection, and so far no one in their communities has contracted the virus. In this excerpt from his Changemakers interview with Senior Housing News, Paul describes how COVID-19 affected their business and how they’ve responded to keep residents healthy and happy. How have you had to change operations due to Covid-19? We put a pause on programs and activities and enhanced disinfecting, cleaning and restricted visitation. We did that starting March 6, and then March 16, the Bay Area implemented a region-wide shelter in place. We’ve been fortunate. Knock on wood, we haven’t been impacted in terms of any cases in communities. Do you think Covid-19 will lead to lasting changes in how Priya operates? After that initial phase, we started to look at how we could start to bring our programming back, but use digital distribution for...

Will my loved one be happier and healthier in senior living or at home? It’s a question many families are asking themselves now during the pandemic. They’ve seen headlines about case numbers, but they also know they can’t provide the care and attention needed by themselves. “If COVID has taught us anything, it has taught us that we are health care, but it doesn’t mean that we have to be health care in the traditional sense of a hospital or a nursing home,” said Brenda Bacon, president and CEO of Brandywine Living. “We have to be able to convince the public or customers that their loved one will be safe and secure in addition to being happy.” A former board chairman for Argentum, Bacon has a lot of insight into the challenges and opportunities of senior living. She’s taken that unique experience to Brandywine, where she strives to make their communities the right mix of “health care and hospitality and fun.” Bacon has been recognized by Senior Housing News as a Changemaker for her contributions to the industry, and during her interview, she opened up on the difficulties posed by the coronavirus – as well as her strategies for keeping it at bay. Check out these excerpts to see how Brandywine is keeping its residents happy and healthy. What needs to be done to achieve that safety and security you’re thinking about? Any operational changes you’re implementing at Brandywine? On April 4th, we instituted a rule that says “one job only.” In the healthcare industry, employees traditionally work in two or three different healthcare institutions; they’ll work a shift at a skilled nursing and then they’ll go to an assisted living or the hospital, the doctor’s office. Nurses and care managers tend to have...

Due to COVID, some older adults and their families are hesitant on the idea of assisted living. But in many cases, and especially so for seniors with cognitive impairment, the level of care required for safe aging is only available in a community setting with skilled caregivers. “At this particular time of coronavirus, we’re working in a very fearful environment, and that’s where a trusting team benefits by the speed of trust,” said Loren Shook, founder and CEO of Silverado. “A lot of unknowns are being faced by people operating communities like ours and across the country.” Renowned for their standalone memory care communities, Silverado has pioneered research into programs that drive cognitive improvements for residents in early stages of dementia. The organization is often the top pick for referral partners, and the team is willing to take the most difficult cases. Silverado’s commitment to care, no matter the challenge, is helping them overcome COVID. And Shook’s willingness to try new things and continually adapt is why he’s been recognized as a Changemaker by Senior Housing News this year. Read on for excerpts from Shook’s interview with SHN where he discusses the perception challenges posed by COVID, interoperability opportunities with referral partners and the steps Silverado is taking to move forward. Do you see COVID-19 changing memory care specifically or senior living more broadly in more long-lasting ways? I think it’s really heightened the awareness of the buyer of services from us, as to asking, what are our systems for infection control and cleanliness? What are our capabilities for understanding changes in clinical condition for people? Then what do we do, if that’s the case? For some people, they’ll be asking, in a situation like COVID, if there is another pandemic or situation like...