older couple taking selfie in new place, with moving boxes

Pent-up demand from residents and families as well as the easing of COVID-19-related move-in restrictions freeing up a backlog of pre-pandemic planned move-ins has pushed move-in acceleration to its highest level since late March, according to data collected from the most recent Executive Survey results from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care. 

The latest survey — Wave 9 — included responses collected between June 22 and July 5 from owners and executives across 85 senior living communities and skilled nursing facilities. 

The survey also found that the number of senior housing and care organizations reporting a deceleration in move-ins was at its lowest since the pandemic began. In addition to bans on move-ins abating, survey respondents commented that resumption of pre-COVID-19 planned resident move-ins, increased availability of COVID-19 testing prior to entry, and lessons learned regarding sanitation measures and enhanced safety protocols for visiting with social distancing has resulted in growing reassurance about moving into senior housing. Organizations citing resident / family member concerns about entering senior housing and care also had dropped to 38%, its lowest level since the pandemic began.

“It is important to note that while most Wave 9 metrics indicate more favorable occupancy trends compared to previous survey waves, the survey data is relative to post-pandemic metrics 30-days ago, not relative to pre-pandemic metrics,” said Lana Peck, senior principal with NIC.

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