Senior living occupancy falls slightly in first quarter as industry braces for COVID-19 impact

By Lois A. Bowers, McKnight’s Senior Living.

Senior living occupancy fell slightly to 87.7% in the first quarter, according to new data from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care’s NIC MAP data service.

The effects of the COVID-19 outbreak are not evident in NIC’s data yet, but in a recent executive survey of industry leaders by the organization, one-half to two-thirds of senior living and care organizations reported no change in March aggregate occupancy rates.

“Data from the first quarter will be an important benchmark moving forward in these unprecedented times, with occupancy and construction starts challenged by circumstances beyond anyone’s control,” NIC Chief Operating Officer Chuck Harry said in a statement.

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