Ready to meet the next senior living Changemaker — or in this case — Changemakers? Up today is Jim Coughlin and Wendy Nowokunski, a duo of senior living leaders from Northbridge Companies. We recently announced the plan to share four final interviews, but as an added bonus, this particular interview features two industry pioneers. And with Northbridge being a Yardi senior living client, we’re ecstatic to share a snapshot from their conversation with Senior Housing News (SHN). Meet Jim Coughlin and Wendy Nowokunski CEO Jim Coughlin and President Wendy Nowokunski founded Northbridge Companies with one purpose in mind: ensuring their residents, families and associates live well and love life. And that purpose has held true for over 15 years, as they’ve built Northbridge into what it is today. Read more about Northbridge Companies.   In their interview with SHN, Coughlin and Nowokunski speak to the lessons learned over the course of their careers, each explaining how they navigate change. Read on for a highlight from their interview. SHN: Talk about a time when you tried to execute a change and things didn’t go according to plan. How did you pivot and what did you learn as a leader? Coughlin: I tend to be the one who focuses on acquisitions and growth. As we’ve alluded to in the past, we have a very engaged and vocal leadership team. One of the most comical experiences I had was when I went to our senior leadership and I said, “I’ve made progress. I think we’re going to move forward with this acquisition.” The leadership team said, “Absolutely not. We’re not doing that deal.” That was a really good sign … despite that we didn’t get to move forward with the acquisition. It really showed the empowerment of...

Planning for the future isn’t always easy, especially for seniors considering how they’ll navigate life as they age. Interestingly, most older adults recognize that they’ll need some form of assistance in the future — but less have concrete plans for how to get there.  That’s the focus of a recent study conducted by AARP, which surveyed 1,011 U.S. adults aged 50 and older. The goal was to gauge older adults’ attitudes related to long-term care planning. Curious about the findings? See below for a snapshot: Senior living study: Preparing for aging   According to the study — Long-Term Care Readiness — 68% of older adults believe they’ll need assistance with their daily activities in the future, but only 28% have thoroughly considered what life will look like when that assistance is needed.   In short, older adults may not be preparing for their aging journey as much as they could be. Relayed by McKnight’s Senior Living, the AARP study also revealed the following:    74% of those aged 65 and older believe they’ll need future assistance, compared to 64% of respondents aged 50 to 65Those aged 65 and older gave more thought to how they’ll live independently as they age, compared to respondents aged 50 to 65Not being able to live independently (63%) and becoming a burden to family members (62%) were the top two concerns noted by all respondentsFewer respondents were concerned about savings (59%), living in assisted living or nursing homes (58%) or not being able to age at home AARP sought to understand the effect of COVID-19 too, assessing whether older adults plan for the future more than they did two years ago. Read the study to learn what respondents said, and uncover additional findings. More research This isn’t the first...

It’s time to showcase the final round of senior living Changemakers — four industry pioneers who have shaped the industry as we know it. And if you’re new to the series, Changemakers is an annual compilation of interviews that Yardi is proud to sponsor for the fourth consecutive year. Presented by Senior Housing News (SHN), the interviews hone in on leaders’ evolving strategies, experience with change and plans for the future. First up in the final group of four is Changemaker Danette Opaczewski, the EVP of resident experience and COO of Revel Communities. About Danette Opaczewski From spending her career in hospitality, Changemaker Danette Opaczewski knows how to think outside the box when it comes to resident care. Since joining Revel Communities in January 2020, she has brought innovative ideas to the table and lead Revel toward a brighter future. Through her Changemaker interview, Opaczewski talks about her drive to redefine the resident experience in senior living. She shares the importance of pricing transparency, the initiatives her team is taking to improve diversity and more. See below for a quick highlight. SHN: Do you see yourself as a Changemaker? And are you always excited to drive change, even when it sometimes involves risk? Opaczewski: We recently rolled out a program within our communities called Predictive Index, with the goal of analyzing our team members’ behavior to help them fit into their role and the industry in general. After participating in the program myself, I learned that I’m considered a venturer. A venturer is defined as somebody who is open to change and is motivated by the ability to make an impact on what’s in front of them. I didn’t come into senior housing planning to be a changemaker, I came in and said, “This...

Looking for a lineup of senior living events coming this fall? There’s an array of opportunities to choose from — but fear not. We have a list to share with you, which includes three industry events packed with networking opportunities. Yardi’s senior living team will be attending each event, so if you’re eager to learn more about our senior living management software, we’ll explain how to schedule time to connect with us. Read on to see what each event has to offer. CALA Fall Conference & Trade Show Meet top decision makers including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, executive directors, clinical staff, marketing professionals and more at the CALA Fall Conference & Trade Show in Palm Springs, California! You can find Yardi at booth 60. Schedule time to meet with us and learn about our single connected solution, an integrated system designed for the unique needs of senior living providers. Event details: Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel & Palm Springs Convention Center Palm Springs, California November 7-9, 2022 NIC Fall Conference Join Yardi at the 2022 NIC Fall Conference in Washington, D.C. This networking event presents an opportunity to meet and engage with operators, investors and care partners in senior living. Team Yardi will be available to show you around our senior living management software, demonstrating how it works to elevate your communities. Fill out this form to schedule time to meet us there. Event details: Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C. September 14-16, 2022 Oregon Healthcare Association Annual Convention Network with us at the Oregon Healthcare Association Annual Convention in Portland, Oregon. Here you’ll gain insight into the staffing crisis and other top challenges in senior living. You can find team Yardi at the conference, ready to show you how the Yardi Senior Living Suite helps you empower...

If you’re looking for a story to brighten your day, look no further. We have a heartwarming post in store featuring preschoolers, seniors and some pretty special friendships.   The story comes from this summer feature of Chatham Magazine, a lifestyle publication that’s only released five times per year. Each feature discusses all-things food, arts and the community. And for the story we’re sharing today, you’ll see how local preschoolers paid a sweet visit to senior living residents in their area. We hope the highlight below brings a smile to your face. Feel free to flip to page 96 of the magazine to read the full story. Local preschoolers help senior living residents overcome isolation The past few years have been challenging for seniors and their families. From strict lockdowns to other regulations preventing in-person visits, seniors residing in communities have faced feelings of loneliness and isolation. But there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. And for residents at Galloway Ridge at Featherington, part of that light was a visit from the Primrose School of Chapel Hill preschoolers. The visit was brought to be as part of the school’s “Adopt-a-grandparent” program, which creates opportunities for young children and seniors to develop respectful, positive relationships. “The program provides children the chance to be of service, feel needed, develop sensitivity and respect the needs of others,” shares the co-owner of Primrose School of Chapel Hill, Melissa Mart. “For the [adopted] grandparent, the program offers an opportunity to share talents, knowledge and friendship with the children.” The program brings children into community rooms to play games, make crafts and enjoy story time with senior living residents. The kids also craft greetings, posters and drawings for their “adopted” grandparents. “Adopt-a-grandparent” was in full swing before the...

We’re seeing more tech-savvy seniors today than ever before. From using technology to pay bills to connecting with others on social media, seniors are becoming increasingly invested in the digital world. That’s verified by a recent study exploring seniors’ use of TikTok, the well-known social media platform often associated with younger users. But this study didn’t simply look at how much seniors use TikTok. Researchers sought to analyze how seniors are using social media — TikTok in particular — to engage in discourses on aging. In other words, how seniors are using the platform to defy ageist stereotypes. Covered by McKnight’s Senior Living, the study is packed with interesting findings. If you’re as curious as we were about the tech-focused path seniors are paving, read on.   New study: Seniors reframe stereotypes via TikTok In researching seniors behavior on TikTok, several most-viewed videos from users aged 60 or older — and who have at least 100,000 followers — were compiled. The study in reference, “Not Too Old for TikTok: How Older Adults are Reframing Aging” was published by researchers from Yale University and the National University of Singapore. From the videos analyzed, which totaled at 1,382, a few prominent themes emerged. Here’s a snapshot of what researchers found: 71% of the videos featured older adults defying age-related stereotypes18% featured older adults making light of age-related vulnerabilities11% involved older adults calling out ageism Building off the tech-savvy seniors theme, the study references a Pew Research Center analysis that highlights just how digitally focused older adults have become. The analysis shows: 73% of adults aged 65 or more years used the internet in 2019Smartphone adoption today is 81% among adults aged 60 to 69 and 62% among those aged 70 or more yearsSmartphone ownership went from...

Argentum is a leading association in senior living. From advocating for seniors and their families to driving policy initiatives, this national association works to better the senior living industry at every level. That can’t be done without a team of industry experts and passionate leaders. This includes LCS President and CEO Joel Nelson, who was recently elected to serve as chairman of the Argentum Board of Directors. With LCS being a dedicated Yardi senior living client, we are thrilled to share Nelson’s new position and extend our congratulations! Joel Nelson named Board Chairman at Argentum As the newly-appointed board chairman, Nelson brings years of industry experience to Argentum. And prior to taking this role, Nelson served as the Argentum Public Policy Committee Co-Chair — making him well versed in the association’s mission and programs.   “I am extremely proud of the work we have achieved at LCS and feel the experiences of the last decades in serving our residents and staff will serve the general membership of Argentum as we as a profession move forward to meet the challenges ahead,” said Nelson. Read more about Nelson’s appointment as board chairman at Argentum.   About Joel Nelson As the LCS President and CEO, Nelson executes strategy across all business lines in the LCS Family of Companies. That’s no surprise based on his years of service and growth as a senior living leader, all at LCS. Nelson joined the company in 1986 and since then, he’s held various executive roles on his path to President and CEO. Given his industry knowledge — and the fact that he currently serves 40,000+ seniors in 140 communities at LCS — Nelson is well equipped to serve a distinguished association like Argentum. And joining the Argentum Board of Directors isn’t his...

Last year, we shared U.S. News & World Report’s plans to release a Best Senior Living list. And the waiting is over! That list is officially live — and it features nearly 1,300 senior living communities branching from over 80 operators.   The list was crafted to help seniors and their families navigate the challenging process of choosing a community. For the communities listed, U.S. news includes detailed profiles with ratings and testimonials from current residents and family members. While each community listed deserves recognition for their exceptional efforts, we can’t help but share our excitement for the several Yardi clients who were recognized. To each client who earned a well-deserved spot on the list, congratulations! If you’re eager to learn more about the Best Senior Living list, keep reading for a snapshot. Yardi clients make Best Senior Living List In selecting which locations would make the list, U.S. News surveyed residents and families from more than 3,000 participating communities. From that pool, 1,274 were selected and deemed to excel in independent living, assisted living and/or memory care. That includes a batch of amazing Yardi clients who we’re proud to celebrate. Among the Yardi clients selected, several were even recognized as exceling in all three categories. Wondering how our senior living management software helps operators unify operations and enhance care? Read more about tools in the Yardi Senior Living Suite. About the Best Senior Living list Choosing a senior living community for yourself or a loved one can be difficult. But with resources like the Best Senior Living list, that decision-making process gets easier. Courtesy of U.S. News, in partnership with Activated Insights, residents and families from participating communities were asked to rate their experience on things that matter most, including: The kindness of...

“Often I’ve found that change comes at the most unexpected times, but I believe that’s what makes our work so meaningful.” Those words come from LCS President and CEO Joel Nelson, a member of this year’s Changemakers class. The annual Changemakers series recognizes bold, strategic leadership in senior living. With leaders like Nelson interviewed by Senior Housing News (SHN) throughout the series, you get an inside look at how industry pioneers are sparking change. Yardi is proud to sponsor Changemakers for the fourth consecutive year. Introducing Joel Nelson Joel Nelson’s career at LCS — a Yardi client and one of the nation’s largest senior living organizations — has been full of change. From starting the company’s real estate business to now operating over 130 communities in the LCS Family of Companies, Nelson is skilled at navigating challenges and developing solutions. In his SHN interview, Nelson shares how being prepared for change is critical, and discusses which changes he believes are vital for the industry’s future. Keep reading for a highlight. SHN: Thinking back on your career in senior living, what are some of the changes you’re especially proud of leading? Nelson: I’ve had the good fortune to be in the industry for the last 36 years, and there have been many changes in LCS and the senior living industry during that time. The one I’m most proud of is when I was given the opportunity to start our real estate company back in 2010. It was transformational for the company and who we are, and it has driven even more changes as a result. There’s a lot to be proud of in this industry, which is why I stuck around for so long. I’ve been on multiple association boards, and for the last couple...

Now in its fourth consecutive year, the Changemakers series showcases forward-thinking leadership in senior living. But not just any leaders earn the honor. The Changemakers title is reserved for those who drive positive change across the industry — and who pursue innovative strategies along the way.  It’s empowering to see how each honoree is transforming the industry as we know it. That’s made possible through in-depth interviews conducted by Senior Housing News (SHN) and sponsored by Yardi. And lucky for you, the first batch of interviews is live. That includes one from Tana Gall, president of Merrill Gardens, a family-owned company and Yardi client. Her story is one you don’t want to miss. Meet Tana Gall From decades of experience in senior living, Changemaker Tana Gall is skilled at problem solving. That comes from her initiative to take risks and forge new paths, which Gall has done throughout her career. Now as president of Merrill Gardens, she has an important perspective on what it takes to spearhead change. In her interview, Gall tells SHN about her bold but calculated risk-taking approach, plus she shares lessons learned from her 27 years in the industry. Keep reading for a highlight.   SHN: Thinking back on your career in senior living, what are some of the changes you’re especially proud of leading? Gall: In the early 2000s, I was able to work with a group on changing our industry messaging. For my first few years in the industry, a lot of the same words were used to describe what we did — respect, integrity, independence. They were generic and didn’t capture what the industry represented, so we took a leap. During my time at Leisure Care, I worked with a very creative group of people to roll...

Argentum is well known for their advocacy efforts in senior living. From influencing policy decisions to informing the public about pressing issues, they’re always working to better the lives of older adults.   This makes their annual conference a can’t-be-missed opportunity. The event gathers thousands of senior living professionals, operators, owners, executives and community leaders to discuss the future of senior living. And this year, you can connect with team Yardi at booth 805. Ready to network at the Argentum Senior Living Executive Conference? We’ll see you May 16-18 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Come to booth 805 There’s no denying the importance of technology in today’s senior living landscape. Integrated, comprehensive solutions like the Yardi Senior Living Suite have the tools needed to unify operations, increase move-ins and enhance resident care. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Our single connected solution has undergone some powerful enhancements lately, and each improvement was built to power your communities like never before. With that in mind, we invite you to meet team Yardi at booth 805 come Argentum 2022! We’ll answer any questions you have, whether it be on the Senior Living Suite as a whole, or individual tools like RentCafe Senior CRM and Yardi EHR. We can’t wait to show you what’s new with each product — and demonstrate how everything connects on a single platform. Want to get something on the books in advance? Schedule time to meet with us at Argentum. Start exploring our single connected solution Eager to learn more about Yardi before Argentum? Check out our newest infographic to see how our software evolves — with functionality like electronic signatures — to help operators succeed. We walk you through every step of our electronic leasing process, and offer testimonies...

It’s National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW)! Established by the American Health Care Association (ACHA) in 1967, this week-long observance recognizes the essential role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for America’s seniors and disabled population.    Skilled nursing care centers across the country are hosting events to mark the occasion, which runs through May 14. And this year’s theme — Creating and Nurturing Connections — is especially inspiring.   We’re here to share the meaning behind NSNCW and offer some ideas to celebrate. We hope you’ll join us in recognizing skilled nursing care centers, and their staff members, for all that they do to improve residents’ lives.   All about NSNCW Skilled nursing care centers and their staff are no stranger to dedication. They continuously strive to provide high-level care for their residents, no matter the circumstance. And we’ve seen just how committed they are throughout the last two years of the pandemic. They’ve worked to provide exceptional care without fail, protecting residents around the clock during periods of limited visitation and social distancing. Staff members became family members and friends when residents needed social connection more than ever. It’s why this year’s theme, developed by ACHA, is perfectly fitting. The focus of this year’s NSNCW is simple: celebrate the essential role that skilled nursing care centers and staff play in creating and nurturing connections for their residents. Learn more about the role of skilled nursing care centers and staff, as well as details on NSNCW 2022. ​How to celebrate Don’t miss your chance to celebrate NSNCW! Drawn from ACHA’s 2022 planning guide, we have a list of activities designed to help residents staff and families create new connections — and nurture existing ones. Working together, we encourage you to create and...

Senior living is an ever-changing industry. It’s important for software solutions to adapt, grow and advance to meet providers’ needs as they shift. That’s our approach here at Yardi — our team constantly works to gather client feedback and enhance tools in the Yardi Senior Living Suite. From adding new features to improving usability, we bundle everything into a fresh release for our senior living clients to enjoy. And you guessed it, we’re sharing the latest release with you today, packed with exciting new functionality. Keep reading for a look at what’s new in 7.16, including enhancements to Yardi Voyager Senior Housing, RentCafe Senior Living, EHR and eMAR.   Voyager Senior Housing Voyager Senior Housing, our comprehensive financial accounting tool, received multiple enhancements. Access a new reapply payments option, track payer type history and more. Assign maintenance tasks thanks to an updated unit make ready feature, plus utilize an editable service charge rate option and new import ETLs. Watch the overview video RentCafe Senior CRM Enjoy various new features in RentCafe Senior CRM, our mobile-friendly sales and marketing platform. Explore a new lead manager dashboard, lease signing updates and detailed move-in data based on physical or financial dates. Enjoy the ability to create bulk activities for a prospect — and see automatic updates to move-in, lead and tour goals based on occupancy budgets. Copy setup information with ease when adding a new community to your portfolio.  Watch the overview video EHR Our full-service electronic health record solution, Yardi EHR, is equipped with fresh functionality. Tap into a late entry feature in the wounds dashboard, as well as strikethrough functionality in both the wounds and behaviors dashboards. Schedules can now be defaulted like care plan actions for wound progress checks, and assessments can now be...

From staffing to compliance to technology, there’s no shortage of pressing topics circling the senior living industry. And the latest McKnight’s Power Panel — Pandemic Year III: Keys to Success — gathered experts to discuss it all. The online roundtable prompted panelists to debate today’s issues and offer solutions for the year ahead. And to help a larger audience access the insights, McKnight’s put together a fresh ebook that presents the biggest takeaways from their conversations. That ebook is available now. Whether you attended the roundtable or not, the ebook is worth a read. See below for a quick highlight of what you’ll find: New Mcknight’s Power Panel ebook With panelists from different verticals in long-term care, the McKnight’s Power Panel was full of varying perspectives. How will operating conditions continue to shift with the pandemic? How is the “new normal” changing again for providers? These types of questions received a range of answers throughout the roundtable, and lucky for you, they’re recapped in the ebook. Featuring insights from Yardi expert David Bellew, read the ebook to learn: Technology’s role in the industry todayPredictions for a post-pandemic landscapeStrategies for the futureAnd more About panelist David Bellew David Bellew is an accomplished leader in the healthcare industry. Currently serving as the Director of Client Services here on the Yardi senior living team, David has over 20 years of experience implementing enterprise software systems. Through years of dedication, he has become highly skilled in requirements analysis, as well as managing implementations for ERP and clinical systems. If you have questions for team Yardi about our solutions in senior living, we encourage you to reach out to us. Download the resource Yardi is pleased to sponsor events like the McKnight’s Power Panel that spark insightful conversations in...

How can senior living providers use business intelligence (BI) tools to elevate their communities? We have the answer for you, and it comes in the form of a brand-new case study. We sat down with Michael Schefter, chief financial officer at Cascadia Senior Living to learn how Yardi Senior IQ has changed the company’s day-to-day processes for the better. From streamlined operations to saved time — Cascadia is reaping the benefits of a single connected BI solution.   Here’s a quick snapshot of the case study, which covers exactly how Senior IQ helps Cascadia prosper. An introduction to Cascadia Senior Living  Cascadia Senior Living & Development is devoted to their residents. Founded in 2013 and based in the Pacific Northwest, Cascadia manages over 13 senior housing properties with a focus on independent living, assisted living, memory care and respite care. Cascadia believes it takes a group effort — residents, their families, their friends and the Cascadia staff — to create vibrant communities. Most importantly, they’re always striving to better their communities. With help from technology, Cascadia drills into individual communities to uncover specific details — finding new ways to improve residents’ quality of life. The challenge with siloed solutions & jeopardized data Before adopting a single connected solution, Cascadia was manually pulling data from disparate sources. Finance, accounting and operations teams were devoting hours to extracting raw data each month, searching for specific metrics, making calculations and transposing data into graphs and slide decks. Digging for specific answers was part of the job — but it wasn’t an efficient use of time. With rapidly expanding communities and a larger pool of metrics, time wasn’t the only issue. Data integrity became a primary concern. Cascadia faced increased discrepancies, manual errors and ultimately, jeopardized data. They...

There’s no shortage of senior living events this year — but which are worth attending? How should providers fill their calendar for the remainder of 2022? While there are many trade shows packed with valuable takeaways, we’re here to share a few recommendations. These events offer opportunities to connect with experts, discover emerging solutions and ultimately, explore the future of the industry. You’ll find team Yardi in attendance at each, ready to greet you and answer questions about our senior living management software. Keep reading for a roundup of upcoming events to put on your radar. FALA Annual Conference & Tradeshow Happy 30 year anniversary to the Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA)! With decades of industry success, FALA’s Annual Conference & Tradeshow is a fantastic setting to learn tips for navigating an ever-changing industry. Whether you’re eager to network with other professionals, receive updates about the latest industry trends or connect with vendors who can help you deliver better care, this year’s conference has it all. You’ll find team Yardi at booth 423. We’ll show you how our single connected solution helps providers streamline operations and deliver excellent care. Schedule time to connect with us at the conference. Event details: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando, Florida May 31-June 2, 2022 CALA Spring Conference & Trade Show Join over 900 providers and top decision makers at the 2022 CALA Spring Conference & Trade Show, including CEOs, CFOs, COOs, executive directors, clinical staff, marketing professionals and more. You’ll tap into a wealth of resources and learn what’s driving the senior living industry forward. Be sure to meet our team at booth 52 where we’ll discuss how the Yardi Senior Living Suite works to empower staff, automate workflows and enhance resident satisfaction. Visit this page to schedule...

Ready to explore our Yardi EHR mobile apps? Each app — Care Stream and EHR Assessments — has undergone a fresh round of enhancements built to help senior living staff succeed. Keep reading to learn about the latest functionality in both apps: New functionality & expanded compatibility in Care Stream Thanks to Care Stream’s 1.29 update and release, senior care staff can now utilize a simplified task workflow. Shown as either their resident or task summary view, the enhanced workflow displays upcoming tasks using clear, pre-configured icons — all crafted to help staff streamline daily responsibilities and deliver better care. When caregivers enter the task summary view, they’ll see a resident photo, an icon related to a particular task and a color-coded icon representing the level of assistance needed. So if a resident is due for a bath that day, caregivers will see a bath icon in conjunction with a green icon representing minimal assistance, a yellow icon for moderate assistance or a red icon indicating extensive assistance. This means staff members see exactly how to care for each resident — and how much assistance is needed — at a glance. For staff with vision impairments or non-English speakers, these icons are especially beneficial. In addition to viewing their entire task list, staff can also use the icons to filter by individual task for added convenience and time savings. And that’s not all — the Care Stream app also received a compatibility update. Windows 10 users can now download Care Stream directly to their laptop or tablet, rather than utilizing the desktop version. This allows more staff, across varying communities, to utilize the app and access its benefits. Ready to see more? Be sure to download the Yardi EHR Care Stream app on the...