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ALFA Reports on State of Assisted Living Industry

Wed, 11/01/2000 - 1:00am — Karen Stevenson
Description: 

The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) issued a report on the state of the assisted living industry in the United States. They found that the average occupancy of assisted living residences increased to 91.5% in 1999 from 90.4% in 1998 at and 90.8% in 1997.

The percentage of semi-private assisted living rooms increased to 13% in 1999, after decreasing for three years. However, the average percentage of semi-private rooms being occupied as a private room also increased significantly.

About 52% of assisted living residents were reported as having some level of Alzheimer's or dementia impairment.

The average basic daily fee for a private room has increased to $73.97, the highest rate noted in the survey's history. 41% of providers used a "tiered" pricing formula and 13% used a flat rate for each service provided. This compares to 70% who used "tiered" pricing and 7% who used a flat rate for service in 1998.

A lower percentage of residents who moved out of their assisted living residences, 36%, were compelled to relocate to a nursing home for health reasons than in previous study years, while the percentage of assisted living residents who lived out their lives in assisted living has gradually increased over the same period, accounting for 30% of all discharges.

Medication-related issues ranked highest on the list of most frequent problems reported to state agencies. But there was no apparent correlation between the frequency of medication-related errors and the type of employee allowed by the state to administer or assist with medications.

Access to medical care, abuse and billing/charges are among the least frequent complaints to state agencies.

The Overview is the most comprehensive report of its kind, combining original research results from the largest annual survey of senior housing providers with the most relevant information gleaned from other top studies in the field. More than 373 facilities responded to the 1999 survey, representing 27,011 units and 26,742 residents from 44 states. In recognition of the changing membership of ALFA, the 1999 survey also went to Independent Living providers. Over 80 Independent Living properties from 30 states responded to this year's questions.

The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) issued a report on the state of the assisted living industry in the United States. They found that the average occupancy of assisted living residences increased to 91.5% in 1999 from 90.4% in 1998 at and 90.8% in 1997.

The percentage of semi-private assisted living rooms increased to 13% in 1999, after decreasing for three years. However, the average percentage of semi-private rooms being occupied as a private room also increased significantly.

About 52% of assisted living residents were reported as having some level of Alzheimer's or dementia impairment.

The average basic daily fee for a private room has increased to $73.97, the highest rate noted in the survey's history. 41% of providers used a "tiered" pricing formula and 13% used a flat rate for each service provided. This compares to 70% who used "tiered" pricing and 7% who used a flat rate for service in 1998.

A lower percentage of residents who moved out of their assisted living residences, 36%, were compelled to relocate to a nursing home for health reasons than in previous study years, while the percentage of assisted living residents who lived out their lives in assisted living has gradually increased over the same period, accounting for 30% of all discharges.

Medication-related issues ranked highest on the list of most frequent problems reported to state agencies. But there was no apparent correlation between the frequency of medication-related errors and the type of employee allowed by the state to administer or assist with medications.

Access to medical care, abuse and billing/charges are among the least frequent complaints to state agencies.

The Overview is the most comprehensive report of its kind, combining original research results from the largest annual survey of senior housing providers with the most relevant information gleaned from other top studies in the field. More than 373 facilities responded to the 1999 survey, representing 27,011 units and 26,742 residents from 44 states. In recognition of the changing membership of ALFA, the 1999 survey also went to Independent Living providers. Over 80 Independent Living properties from 30 states responded to this year's questions.