


The Ensign Group Rocks It Again
It is all about culture, and handing down responsibility, accountability, and providing financial incentives that makes The Ensign Group tick, and rock every quarter. It is also something some seniors housing providers can learn from. Some companies are doing it, but many founders and CEOs are still not ready to hand over the tools to succeed. The nursing home industry is difficult, but Ensign continues to outperform. Same-facility occupancy was up 240 basis points year over year, and it was up 40 basis points sequentially. The skilled mix increased by 110 basis points sequentially. Other nursing home operators only dream of this. In addition, Ensign’s 2024 earnings guidance is now 13%... Read More »
Highmark Assumes Management of Iowa Portfolio
Highmark Senior Living, a Hubbell Realty Co. affiliate that manages six communities with over 290 residents, has taken over management of a portfolio of Edencrest senior living communities spread throughout Iowa. The communities include Edencrest at Beaverdale (built in 2017), Edencrest at Green Meadows (2016), Edencrest at The Legacy (2018), Edencrest at Riverwoods (2014), Edencrest at Siena Hills (2017), Edencrest at Timberline (2023) and Edencrest at Tuscany (2021). Read More »
Some Providers Still Stuck In Pandemic Swamp
Diversified Healthcare Trust reported on the December performance of its seniors housing operators, and let’s just say it seems that little progress has been made. In the seniors housing operating portfolio (SHOP) operated by Aleris/Five Star, with 117 communities and 16,951 units, in 2023 census increased by only 240 basis points to 80.4% in December. But that is not the major problem. The average monthly rate has held fairly stable, ending the year at $4,429 compared with $4,278 in January last year. The problem has been expenses, which increased by 11% over the year, jumping by 5% from November to December alone. That resulted in a plunge in NOI in December to $4.0 million,... Read More »
Thank You, FBI Agent James Dennehy
All we can say is, it is about time. We have complained for several years that something needs to be done about the bad apples (criminals) that have given the nursing home industry a bad reputation, and sullied the reputations of all those who are trying hard to provide the best care they can, given the tough environment. Probably the worst abuser of the system, and someone who should have been put in jail a while ago and never allowed to own, operate or get a license for a nursing home ever again, has finally agreed to plead guilty to a $38 million tax fraud. We are referring, of course, to the notorious Joseph Schwartz, owner of Skyline Healthcare, who walked away from about 100 nursing... Read More »