Assisted living facilities are rapidly growing given that many Baby Boomers are now entering the later stages of their lives. Several market studies indicated that nearly 50% of all people over the age of 65 will require some form of ongoing living assistance as they age. One of the best aspects of operating an assisted living facility is that these businesses’ revenues are relatively immune from negative changes in the economy. These companies are able to produce revenues directly from residents (or their families) as well as from private insurance companies and publicly funded healthcare systems. The month to month charges for a resident typically ranges from $2,000 to $4,000 depending on the level of care required by the resident. Many assisted living facilities are also integrating memory care services into their operations in order to treat residents that suffer from dementia or progressive neurological disorders.
Within the United States, there are nearly 50,000 locations that provide assisted living services. Each year, these businesses generate nearly $190 billion of revenue. It should be noted that these revenues do not include services that operate within a resident’s home. The industry employs over two million people (including both medical and general facility staff). The growth of the industry remains around 2% per year, which is expected to remain stable over the next twenty years (again, as a function of the aging Baby Boomer population).
One of the common trends within this industry is to have a number of specialized medical personnel on staff in order to render specific medical services to residents of these facilities. This can drastically boost the billings of the business given that these fees are often paid by private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Larger scale assisted living facilities retain a medical director (a physician) in order to provide consultation when necessary for a resident that has a specific medical issue.
Given the increasing level of competition among assisted living facilities, many of these businesses have begun to offer a broad spectrum of amenities in order to differentiate themselves from other market agents. This includes providing specialty meals as well as transportation services to local destinations (so that residents can enjoy time outside of the facility). Transportation services are important to residents that still maintain modest employment (among residents that are younger, able to work, and want to retain employment).
Overall, the industry outlook for the assisted living facility is very strong. The increasing age of the Baby Boomer population is continuing to increase demand for comprehensive in-facility services. This trend is expected to continue indefinitely especially as families have become busier, and cannot directly care for an elderly individual on an ongoing basis.