ALF overview preview.A new study takes the measure of an industry A HIGHLIGHT OF THE ALFA SPRING SHOW in Orlando Orlando, city, United States Orlando (ôrlăn`dō), city (1990 pop. 164,693), seat of Orange co., central Fla., in a lake region; inc. 1875. In a citrus fruit and farm area, it is one of the world's most visited vacation spots. in April was a presentation by PricewaterhouseCoopers Partner Ronald Tinsley Tinsley is a surname and a district in Darnall ward in England. Tinsley can refer to: People
n. A living arrangement in which people with special needs, especially older people with disabilities, reside in a facility that provides help with everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing, and taking medication. 2000," a report on the state of the industry that is slated for release this summer. In light of ALFA's merger with the National Association of Senior Living Industries (NASLI), many of whose members were focused on independent or congregate con·gre·gate tr. & intr.v. con·gre·gat·ed, con·gre·gat·ing, con·gre·gates To bring or come together in a group, crowd, or assembly. See Synonyms at gather. adj. 1. Gathered; assembled. 2. housing, this year's study will, for the first time, address both independent and assisted living. The report will cover everything from design trends to supply estimates. But the heart of the report, and the subject of Tinsley and Whitlock's remarks, centered on the results of a provider survey. Although the 374 communities responding to the survey (78 percent assisted only, 6 percent independent only, and 16 percent mixed) was a smaller number than last year's sample, the similarity Similarity is some degree of symmetry in either analogy and resemblance between two or more concepts or objects. The notion of similarity rests either on exact or approximate repetitions of patterns in the compared items. of results, says Tinsley, suggests that accuracy was not compromised. What's more, with the same regions reporting, it was again possible to do year-over-year comparisons. Resident profile While the sex breakdown in assisted living facilities (75.3 percent female, 24.7 percent male) and the average number of ADLs (3.1) was unchanged compared with last year, the average age of residents (84.3 years old for females, 82.5 years old for males) is creeping creeping 1. gradual progression of a lesion or tissue growth. 2. prostrate growth pattern of a plant, e.g. c. buttercup (Ranunculus repens), c. caustic (Euphorbia drummondii), c. charlie (Glechoma hederacea), c. up. Tinsley opines Opines are low molecular weight compounds found in plant crown gall tumors produced by the parasitic bacterium Agrobacterium. Opine biosynthesis is catalyzed by specific enzymes encoded by genes contained in a small segment of DNA (known as the T-DNA, for 'transfer DNA') that this could reflect aging in place Aging in place is growing older without having to move.[1] According to the Journal of Housing for the Elderly, it is not having to move from one's present residence in order to secure necessary support services in response to changing needs. , or independent living facilities starting to care for frailer residents. The percentage of females in ALFs located in non-metropolitan areas was much larger (78.1 percent) than in metropolitan ALFs (73.7). Tinsely speculates that a new assisted living resident in a non-metropolitan area might be a female moving off of a farm following the death of her spouse spouse A legal marriage partner as defined by state law , whereas a metropolitan-area ALF ALF - Algebraic Logic Functional language might attract an older man who lived in a similar type of housing but no longer wants to cook. Surprisingly, the average age in independent living facilities (83.1 years old for females and 82.3 years old for males) isn't much different than for assisted living, although they are clearly healthier, with residents averaging 0.9 ADLs, and much more likely to be part of a married couple (12.6 percent versus 1.8 percent). Interestingly, independent living facilities in metropolitan settings have a higher percentage of married couples than their non-metropolitan counterparts. There was a decrease in the percentage of assisted living residents with cognitive impairments (45.9 percent versus 48.9 percent) and a similar decrease in incontinence incontinence Inability to control excretion. Starting and stopping urination relies on normal function in pelvic and abdominal muscles, diaphragm, and control nerves. Babies' nervous systems are too immature for urinary control. Later incontinence may reflect disorders (e.g. (26.4 percent versus 29.7 percent). The number of wheelchair wheel·chair or wheel chair n. A chair mounted on large wheels for the use of a sick or disabled person. wheelchair, n users, however, is up (41 compared with last year's 38.3). The report indicated that special assistance was provided to residents in the following percentages: diabetes (10.4 percent), mental retardation mental retardation, below average level of intellectual functioning, usually defined by an IQ of below 70 to 75, combined with limitations in the skills necessary for daily living. or developmental disability developmental disability n. A cognitive, emotional, or physical impairment, especially one related to abnormal sensory or motor development, that appears in infancy or childhood and involves a failure or delay in progressing through the normal (1.2 percent), Parkinson's (6.1 percent), cancer (4.4 percent), pressure ulcer Pressure ulcer Also known as a decubitus ulcer, pressure ulcers are open wounds that form whenever prolonged pressure is applied to skin covering bony outcrops of the body. Patients who are bedridden are at risk of developing pressure ulcers. (1.1 percent), and other, including arthritis arthritis, painful inflammation of a joint or joints of the body, usually producing heat and redness. There are many kinds of arthritis. In its various forms, arthritis disables more people than any other chronic disorder. , Alzheimer's stroke, medication management (28.6 percent). * Resident finances. The most notable difference between the metropolitan and non-metropolitan assisted living resident had to do with their financial status. While average annual pre-tax income of residents overall was $29,400, and their average assets worth $160,000, the pre-tax income and average asset figures for metropolitan residents were $31,000 and $182,000, respectively, compared with $27,700 and $133,600, respectively, for non-metropolitan residents. What's more, the percentage of residents with incomes of less than $20,000 was 27.1 percent overall, but the metropolitan versus nonmetropolitan numbers were more than 10 percentage points apart (22.1 percent compared with 33.2 percent). In independent living, the income differential between metropolitan and non-metropolitan residents ($40,900 versus $37,000, respectively) was comparable to assisted living, but the spread between metropolitan residents and non-metropolitan residents with respect to assets was much wider ($309,000 versus $231,900, respectively). * Referral sources. The survey indicates an increase in referrals to assisted living from hospitals and physicians as well as an increase in referrals from existing residents. Referrals from agencies and churches dropped to 1 percent from 9 percent. Family members are the largest source of referrals. In the independent living sector, the media are a major contributor (23 percent). Together, residents, family, and media constitute almost 50 percent of referrals. * Attrition Attrition The reduction in staff and employees in a company through normal means, such as retirement and resignation. This is natural in any business and industry. Notes: . The survey indicated that of residents who left ALFs, 37 percent went to nursing homes, 13 percent to hospitals, and 30 percent died (up from 26 percent in the previous year's survey). Reasons for leaving independent living included death (26 percent), going to assisted living (26 percent), and going to a nursing home (21 percent). * Prior location. The survey showed that only 50 percent of ALF residents came from private residences, compared with 79 percent of independent living residents. This supports the notion held by ALE marketers that family members and health care providers are key influencers in the decision of seniors to enter their facility. In fact, Tinsley notes, many assisted living companies are developing facilities in areas where the 45-to-65-year-old population is growing to be where the decision-makers are. * Distance relocated re·lo·cate v. re·lo·cat·ed, re·lo·cat·ing, re·lo·cates v.tr. To move to or establish in a new place: relocated the business. v.intr. . The survey revealed a notable difference between metropolitan and non-metropolitan assisted living facilities in terms of willingness to relocate re·lo·cate v. re·lo·cat·ed, re·lo·cat·ing, re·lo·cates v.tr. To move to or establish in a new place: relocated the business. v.intr. more than 25 miles with 25 percent of rural seniors versus 10 percent of urbanites moving that far away. "The industry benchmark has been that 75 percent of ALF residents relocate within 15 miles," Tinsley said. The study suggests that in non-metropolitan areas, the market for your product may be more farreaching because there isn't the competition that exists in urban areas, and because people seem more willing to go longer distances, whether for a quart of milk or a room in an ALE. Conversely con·verse 1 intr.v. con·versed, con·vers·ing, con·vers·es 1. To engage in a spoken exchange of thoughts, ideas, or feelings; talk. See Synonyms at speak. 2. , the statistics support the already widespread belief that urban seniors are less likely to travel long distances, or have less need to do so because they have more facilities from which to choose. Residence highlights The average number of units in an ALE residence increased to 53 from 49. The average square footage of a studio decreased to 305 from 332. The average occupany rate for ALEs increased slightly, to 91.5 percent from 90.4 percent. The median, however, was a more impressive 95 percent. Recognizing the need to be out there selling prior to opening, the average amount of time devoted to pre-marketing has increased by one full month, to 6.3 months compared with the previous year's 5.3 months. The number of Alzheimer's-specific facilities or assisted living facili-ties with dedicated Alzheimer's units increased to 23.6 percent from 17.8 per-cent, with an average of 27 beds for Alzheimer's residents. Fifty-one percent of all reporting facilities have some level of capacity for residents with dementia dementia (dĭmĕn`shə) [Lat.,=being out of the mind], progressive deterioration of intellectual faculties resulting in apathy, confusion, and stupor. In the 17th cent. or cognitive impairment Impairment 1. A reduction in a company's stated capital. 2. The total capital that is less than the par value of the company's capital stock. Notes: 1. This is usually reduced because of poorly estimated losses or gains. 2. , and about 31 percent of those have residents with Alzheimer's Construction highlights Development picked up over the prior year, with ALEs adding an average of 53 units in 1999 compared with 48 in the prior year, and increasing resident capacity by 62 compared with the prior year's 54. Average square footage of units increased to 383 from 364. Metropolitan ALEs were bigger than their non-metropolitan counterparts in several respects: number of units (62 versus 43), resident capacity (72 versus 52) and average square footage (411 versus 350). Wherever located, the percentage of total space devoted to common areas was unchanged compared with the previous year's survey of 32 percent. Daily rates In metropolitan areas, the average daily rate for a semi-private room is $63.10 for 316 square feet; for a private studio $74.80 for 317 square feet; for a one-bedroom $86.90 for 538 square feet; and for a two-bedroom $104 for 770 square feet. In non-metropolitan areas, the rates for a semi-private studio were $63.70 for 316 square feet; for a private studio $72.80 for 277 square feet; for a one-bedroom $80.60 for 474 square feet; and for a two-bedroom $89.80 for 693 square feet. Survey Regions West 93 ALFs Midwest 82 ALFs Northeast 96 ALFs Southeast 79 ALFs Source: An Overview of the Assisted Living Industry, a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers/Assisted Living Federation of America
ADL service fees at a glance
Metropolitan Non-Metropolitan
By hourly charge for each service 6.2% 6.5%
By flat rate for each service 13.5% 10.9%
Tiered pricing for bundled services 43.8% 36.2%
Priced by points assessment 3.4% 4.3%
Services included in basic fee 15.2% 15.2%
Other (not specified) 18.0% 26.8%
Source: An Overview of the Assisted Living Industry, a
report by PricewaterhouseCoopers/Assisted Living Federation
of America
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