How to Increase Occupancy Rates
in Assisted Living Centers
A digital partner like Blue Interactive Agency can provide expertise in creating compelling digital presences that showcase the facility’s unique offerings and community atmosphere through professional websites and targeted social media campaigns.
Creating a positive cycle of referrals
Maintaining assisted living occupancy rates remains crucial for the financial viability and operational success of the facility. Empty units represent significant lost revenue that cannot be recovered, directly impacting the facility’s ability to provide quality care and services to existing residents.
High occupancy also creates opportunities for scale, allowing for more efficient staffing ratios and resource allocation. Senior living facilities with consistently high occupancy rates tend to generate positive word-of-mouth in their communities, creating a positive cycle of referrals and reducing marketing costs over time.
For assisted living facilities struggling to maintain a healthy number of occupants, digital services for assisted living marketing can transform a senior living facility’s approach to maintaining occupancy. A digital partner like Blue Interactive Agency can provide expertise in creating compelling digital presences that showcase the facility’s unique offerings and community atmosphere through professional websites and targeted social media campaigns.
Let’s further explore how this comprehensive digital approach complements traditional marketing efforts while providing measurable results and higher returns on marketing investment.
Boost Occupancy Rates & Reduce Your Cpa With Specialized Assisted Living Marketing Strategies
How Many People Live in Assisted Living?
Currently, more than 800,000 Americans are residing in assisted living at around 30,600 assisted living communities across the U.S., providing nearly 1.2 million licensed beds, according to the American Health Care Association.
The senior living population has been growing steadily over the past decades as the U.S. experiences an aging demographic trend. The exact number can fluctuate based on several factors, including:
- New facility construction
- Changes in healthcare policies and reimbursement models
- Shifting preferences between senior living and other care options like home care or nursing homes
- Regional variations in availability and affordability
Other important demographics in senior living to know include:
- The average age of residents in assisted living facilities is 85 years old.
- Women make up approximately 70% of the senior living population.
- Four in 10 are living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
- After a median stay of around 22 months, roughly 60% of residents will move out of senior living to transition to a skilled nursing center.
What Is the Average Size of an Assisted Living Facility?
The typical assisted living community has about 39 licensed beds. The optimal size depends on many factors, including location, target demographic, care model, and operational economics.
Here are some key points about senior living facility sizes:
- Small facilities typically have 4–25 residents and offer more personalized care
- Medium-sized facilities generally have 25–100 residents
- Large senior living facilities may house over 100 residents and often provide more extensive amenities
- The national trend has been moving toward larger facilities with 80+ units, especially in newly constructed properties
- Some larger campuses operate as continuing-care retirement communities with multiple levels of care
- Rural areas tend to have smaller facilities, while urban and suburban areas often feature larger communities
- The average square footage per resident unit is typically 500-700 square feet
- Memory care units within senior living facilities are often smaller, housing 20–30 residents in a secure environment
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What Percentage of Americans Go Into Assisted Living?
Approximately 4-5% of Americans aged 65 and older will reside in an assisted living facility at some point. The percentage has gradually increased as the population ages and as senior living becomes a more established and accepted option between aging in place and nursing home care.
This percentage increases significantly with age:
- For those 65-74, less than 1% live in assisted living
- For those 75-84, about 2-3% live in senior living
- For those 85 and older, the percentage jumps to around 9-10%
When looking at the entire lifespan, roughly 15-20% of Americans will spend some time in an assisted living facility during their later years. However, this statistic varies based on factors like:
- Regional availability of facilities
- Economic status and ability to afford senior living
- Health conditions and level of independence
- Cultural preferences for elder care
- Availability of family caregivers
- Geographic location
How Can I Increase Occupancy In My Care Home?
Facilities can increase occupancy in care homes through several strategic approaches involving targeted senior living marketing:
- Enhance marketing efforts by developing a strong digital presence with an updated website, virtual tours, and engaging social media content that showcases resident life and testimonials.
- Build stronger referral networks with healthcare providers, including hospitals, discharge planners, doctors, and social workers, who often influence placement decisions.
- Improve community reputation by actively managing online reviews, addressing concerns promptly, and encouraging satisfied families to share their positive experiences.
- Differentiate the senior living facility by developing specialty programs or services that address specific needs in the market, such as memory care, rehabilitation programs, or cultural-specific care.
- Optimize pricing strategies with flexible payment options, move-in incentives, or tiered service packages that make the facility accessible to more potential residents.
- Invest in staff training and retention to ensure high-quality care, as consistent, compassionate staffing directly impacts resident satisfaction and word-of-mouth referrals.
- Host community events and educational seminars that bring potential residents and their families into your facility and position the team as elder care experts.
- Implement a robust lead management system using PPC marketing for assisted living centers that track inquiries, conducts regular follow-ups, and nurtures relationships with prospects who may not be ready for immediate placement.
- Create a welcoming, updated physical environment with modern amenities, comfortable common spaces, and personalized living quarters that appeal to today’s seniors.
- Develop partnerships with community organizations, religious institutions, and senior centers that can serve as referral sources and increase your facility’s visibility.
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Increase Assisted Living Occupancy Rates With Help From Blue
Many families begin their search for senior living online. A digital marketing agency can optimize a website and online listings to ensure the business appears prominently in local searches, increasing qualified leads.
Partnering with a specialized digital marketing agency like Blue Interactive can serve as the catalyst to improving assisted living occupancy rates. Our digital marketing experts can help senior facilities implement data-driven digital marketing strategies that reach adult children of potential residents—often the primary decision-makers—on platforms where they’re already active.
Blue Interactive can also help senior living centers establish sophisticated lead-tracking systems that nurture potential prospects throughout the decision journey, which is particularly valuable given the typically long consideration period for assisted living placement. By specializing in senior care, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities in marketing to older adults and their adult children.
To discover more about our marketing services for senior living facilities, contact Blue Interactive Agency at (954) 779-2801 for enhanced growth opportunities.
External Sources
- American Health Care Association – Assisted Living / Facts and Figures
