As the long-term care industry moves into the 21st century, skilled nursing facilities face tremendous challenges. Never before have there been so many seniors in need of long-term care. Never before have government resources been stretched so thin.

Seniors have lots of choice. Nowhere is this phenomenon more telling than in assisted living. SNFs have great difficulty competing with the ambience offered by many assisted living operations and are seeing consistent reductions in the numbers of their private pay residents. As a result, more and more SNFs are seeing their financial flexibility erode as they become more dependent on government reimbursement.

The options for SNFs are closing fast. Clearly, operational effectiveness is required in a difficult, highly-regulated business. For those providers with financial resources, creating an integrated campus with a continuum of long-term care services can be a worthwhile move.

Creative strategies will be required for the challenging times that lie ahead. Savvy providers will tap the Age Wave phenomenon by offering services that private pay seniors want. MPA can assist you in demand analyses, market forecasting, financial modeling, and business planning for senior living.