Assisted living residences and memory care facilities have just survived an unprecedented year, as the single most affected sector to battle the COVID-19 virus. While A Banyan Residence is proud of our record in keeping every one of our residents safe and healthy, we acknowledge that we must remain vigilant in the fight. As the vaccine roll-out becomes a reality in the next few weeks, we are looking forward to returning a sense of normalcy for our residents and their families in 2021.
Going forward, however, there are some aspects of senior living which may be changed permanently. The manner in which communities are designed, marketed, and how they operate day to day is likely to change because of what we experienced in 2020. In fact, many of the fears and anxieties that families had brought to the process before COVID are likely to be exacerbated as we look to returning to “normal” post COVID. Even as the availability of a vaccine is giving hope, those in charge of assisted living residences and memory care centers have new challenges to take on moving into the new year.
Shift in Focus is Required
Assisted living residences of all types have always offered a compilation of medical care and social activity, and many people wondered which aspect was actually more important to the overall well-being of the resident. 2020 seems to have definitively answered the question – health care took precedence over every other aspect of life in assisted living. While pre-COVID residences were investing in five star dining, fitness centers and innovative educational and social programs, investment in medical and clinical capabilities seems the way of the future. Across the country, senior living providers brought on new clinical staff; established telehealth programs; and worked in collaboration with hospitals and health systems to manage the patients needs. While this particular health crisis will eventually be behind us, assisted living providers will need to be ever aware that the health care needs of their population must be first and foremost.
During the pandemic, industry associations spent countless hours lobbying state and federal governments to convince lawmakers that assisted living is part of the health care continuum; in order to be in line to receive financial relief , personal protective equipment (PPE), testing kits, and most recently, to be included in phase 1 of the vaccine roll out. With the new emphasis on healthcare versus other aspects of quality of life, assisted living providers will be expected to build their facilities with healthcare as the priority, and hospitality as an add on. 2020 necessitated the shift in mindset while under intense pressure; 2021 will require more paradigm shifts although hopefully the vaccine will relieve some of the daily anxiety.
Medicare Advantage
More assisted living facilities are likely to adopt Medicare Advantage in order to provide more coordinated medical care. Capital expenditures are are expected to include more outdoor access, ways to isolate residents (if necessary) with less trauma, touchless technologies, efficient air purification systems, onsite clinics and comprehensive telehealth capability.
In perhaps one of the greatest potential changes to the assisted living model, residences who accepted government-provided financial relief may now be regulated by the government as well. While some may see this as a negative, it may offer the opportunity for standardization across the sector,, giving more credibility and marketing power to all facilities in compliance. Sales and marketing efforts will most likely need to be revamped to educate potential residents on how they will be kept safe rather than how they will enjoy the lifestyle.
Consumers looking for a safe place for Mom or Dad will have high expectations when it comes to safety measures, technological capability and onsite medical expertise. Experts believe that those assisted living facilities which fall behind in these measures may find it difficult to ever fully rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, effectively creating a new industry with new paradigms go forward.
At A Banyan Residence, we are committed to all aspects of the well-being of your loved one. Throughout the pandemic, we have been focused on safety and health in all its facets – physical, emotional, and social. With the rollout of the vaccine and the knowledge gained, we are confident that you will find our facilities in the Villages to continue to provide comprehensive overall care. For more information on our COVID policies or to schedule a visit, call A Banyan Residence today.
