Although some senior living communities were hit hard for several years following the 2008 economic downturn, many have begun to rebound. A 2014 report notes a favorable economic forecast for all types of senior housing properties, particularly as the U.S. population continues to age. But in some communities, occupancy has yet to return to pre-2008 levels, and senior management teams continue to search for ways to attract more incoming residents.
Here are three simple upgrades to consider that can assist in boosting your occupancy.
#1 Kick dining into gear
Today’s seniors are much more discriminating than in the past when it comes to cuisine. The watchword is choice — at every meal, today’s seniors want a choice of types of dining, including fast casual, takeout and fullservice. They want fresh, local ingredients that are both healthy and kind to the environment. They want organic, and they want to know where and how their food is grown. 
Many seniors aren’t afraid to assert their desire or need for special diets, including vegetarian and vegan, low sodium, gluten free and others. They aren’t content with the same menu every day of the week, and they expect dining programs in their senior living communities to mirror the experience of a fine restaurant. They also want cozy cafes, coffee shops and pubs for meeting with friends and grabbing a quick bite.
#2 Provide cutting edge technology
Staying connected with friends and loved ones is vitally important to today’s seniors, and many are looking to technology to keep them in touch. IndependaTVe™, the first and only TV that includes a full range of services for elders, provides a strong connection between your residents, their loved ones and their caregivers. The platform includes a user friendly TV that monitors seniors’ overall well being and health metrics. It also keeps track of their appointments and connects them with their loved ones through video chat.
#3 Modernize home interiors
Seniors today expect upgraded interiors in their homes — and again, they expect choice. When prospective residents tour your community, they’ll expect to see modern selections in fixtures and decor, including solid surface countertops, natural flooring and current lighting systems. They’ll ask for energy efficient appliances and lighting, including fixtures that take LED bulbs. Although senior living occupancy hasn’t yet fully bounced back from the economic downturn, it is steadily improving. Smart executives in senior living communities can take advantage of the trend by ensuring that dining services meet residents’ expectations, offering cutting edge technology such as IndependaTVe™ and modernizing residence interiors.
About Independa
Independa believes that the elderly are vitally important to family members, their community, and our culture as a whole. That’s why we created IndependaTV™ and IndependaTVe™, the world’s first and only TV with an embedded engagement platform designed for older adults.
IndependaTV™ enables stronger connections between caregivers and their elderly loved ones with a beautifully designed and user friendly TV that allows you to monitor their health and well being, coordinates appointments and events, and engages them with their families through video chat when you can’t be there.
IndependaTVe™, enables senior living communities and their staff to generate a higher occupancy ramp, reduce staff inefficiencies, and improve the quality of life and engagement for their residents.
IndependaTVePlus™ is integrated with a wide range of medical, environmental and activity monitoring devices allowing clinical staff to respond when something isn’t quite right.
