All Points Assisted Transportation

What’s up with that “castle-like” structure that’s been growing on the Santee hillside? You know, the complex that has been under construction for the past year…The one right at the intersection of the 52 and the 67 in Santee. Several of us know it as Lantern Crest, a “Full Service” senior living facility. Several clients have asked me if I knew anything about the facility, or if I had any clients who call the place home. I have not, and my curiosity got the best of me last week, so I drove right in and I decided to stop by and do some investigating.

Luxurious Resort Style Complex

I approached the front desk which was at the far side of a beautiful lobby. At the center of the lobby is one of those cascading water fountains that seem to defy gravity. A definite eye-catcher which looks like something you would experience in a Las Vegas-style luxury resort. I asked the woman at the front desk if I could collect some basic information regarding the complex. She promptly introduced me to Robbi Hogan, the Community Marketing Director.

Two Separate Buildings Define the Complex

Robbi explained to me that the complex is actually composed of two separate facilities. “The Ridge” at Lantern Crest is the original building that was completed on the property about 2 years ago. The Ridge accommodates both assisted living and memory care and is available to residents age 62 and older. The newest building, “The Pointe” at Lantern Crest, hosted it’s Grand Opening this past January. The Point is an independent living facility available to residents age 55 and older. Living accommodations include efficient studios, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom units with prices starting at $3,390 per month. If you are able to act soon, Lantern Crest is currently offering a “Spring Special” promotion. This special waives the normal $3,500 community fee for those who move in to their Assisted Living or Memory Care programs before April 30^st 2015.

The Inspiration for Lantern Crest

In a message from the founder of Lantern Crest, Michael Grant, he reflects upon his own life experience. When it became time to evaluate assisted living facilities for his own father, he discovered that available choices had very little life or vibrancy. They were dark, old, and somewhat institutional. When the chance to develop Lantern Crest came along, he saw it as an opportunity to offer our parents and grandparents a better way to live. “Lantern Crest is a way to give our parents and grandparents a great home and lifestyle”. “I decided that Lantern Crest should be affordable luxury for our parents, and a beautiful place to live, full of life and vibrancy with all the amenities, features and services they could want or need.”

Featured Services and Amenities

• Weekly housekeeping
• Weekly Linen service
• All utilities & cable (except personal phone and internet)
• 62 meals per month
• Daily scheduled activities
• Pet friendly
• Scheduled transportation with their own mini-bus
• State of the art movie theater
• Fitness center
• Beauty and barber shop
• Arts & Crafts center & poker room
• Ice cream parlor
• Latitude 32 bar & Grill
• Miniature golf
• Library & computer room

In addition to all the above, those who reside at “The Pointe”, each residence includes the following:

• Full service kitchen
• Washer and dryer
• Balconies or patios
• Other “Light Assistance” services for a modest charge.

Contact Information

Lantern Crest is located at the intersection of HWY 52 and HWY 67 in Santee.

The address is: 400 Lantern Crest Way, Santee, CA 92071

www.lanterncrestseniorliving.com

619-258-8886

Conclusion

Lantern Crest is a sparkling new resort style senior living facility in Santee, CA. If you or a family member is considering options for Senior Living in San Diego county, this place should be on the top of your list of must see facilities.

Beginning early last year we started to hear more chatter regarding mergers and acquisitions, or “M&A”, within the senior housing and rehabilitation industry. Perhaps some of our readers have noticed that several nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospices have changed their names, or the logo at the front entrance? We certainly have in our market. Headline articles substantiate this trend.

Senior Housing News, just release an article titled “The Top 10 Senior Housing Trends for 2015”. Topping the list was “M&A Accelerates As Efficiencies Are Needed for Shareholder Returns”. A survey conducted by GE Capital reports: “Spurred by changes in the post-acute environment and improving industry fundamentals, U.S. senior housing and care investors and providers are aggressively pursuing a variety of expansion strategies.”

Local M&A activity in our marketplace is demonstrated by the actual press release from The Ensign Group, INC., a prestigious, publicly traded corporation headquartered in Southern California:

MISSION VIEJO, Calif., Dec. 3, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Ensign Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:ENSG), the parent company of the Ensign™ group of skilled nursing, rehabilitative care services, home health care, hospice care, home care, assisted living and urgent care companies, announced today that it completed its previously announced acquisition of nine skilled nursing and assisted living operations, a home health agency and a private home care business from Shea Family Care, the largest provider of a complete continuum of post-acute healthcare services in the San Diego market.

The acquisition was effective on December 1, 2014 and adds 643 skilled nursing beds and 68 assisted living beds across 9 operations, a Medicare and Medi-Cal certified home health agency and a private-pay home care business, all located in San Diego County, California.

“We are very pleased to have completed this significant transaction and we welcome a wonderful team of caregivers to the Ensign family,”

“Our strategic expansion in the San Diego market allows us to serve the full continuum of post-acute care needs of San Diegans, whether that care takes place in our facilities or their homes,” said Christopher Christensen, Ensign’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Providing this full range of services,” Christensen continued, “gives us a unique opportunity to improve outcomes and reduce rehospitalization rates for those patients who entrust us with their care.”

The management and staff of All Points Assisted Transportation wish to congratulate the Ensign Group on their recent acquisitions, and welcome their expanded presence into the San Diego area.

Feelings of loneliness and isolation can lead to serious consequences for the health of a growing number of seniors and individuals with chronic illnesses. Social contacts tend to decrease as we age for a variety of reasons. These reasons may include retirement, the death of friends and family, and lack of mobility due to a disability.

We witness first hand, the issue of senior isolation every day. The vast majority of our trips are for seniors and person’s with medical disabilities, who are the core population subject to loneliness and isolation. It’s unfortunate, but many seniors actually look forward to their doctor’s visit and enjoy a chance to escape the monotonous life at home. They get a chance to see the outside world just a little.

All Points Assisted Transportation promotes senior outings with our core clients every chance we can. During the holidays for instance, we offer discounted pricing to seniors for a social outing. Recently we promoted social tours of neighborhood Christmas lights displays.

“It’s so heartwarming to see the faces of seniors as we are able to take them out on a trip, especially when we get to do something they enjoy.” says Melissa P., a recent driver addition to our company. If any of our private clients, or those from nursing homes, or assisted care facilities has a request for a social trip, we are always eager to provide very competitive quotes. Often drivers will donate their own time to promote more social transportation events.

Statistics on Senior Isolation:

According to the U.S. Census Bureau 11 million, or 28% of people aged 65 and older, lived alone in 2010. As people get older, their likelihood of living alone only increases. Additionally, more older adults do not have children, reports the AARP, and that means fewer family members to provide company and care, as those adults become seniors.

Referring isolated older adults to senior centers, activity programs, and transportation services can go a long way toward creating valuable connections and reducing isolation. According to reports from the National Council on Aging, reduced isolation can improve a person’s economic security and their ability to live healthy, independent lives.”

Feelings of Loneliness Can Negatively Affect Both Physical and Mental Health

• Loneliness contributes to cognitive decline and risk of dementia, and loneliness is a major risk factor for depression.
• Transportation challenges can lead to social isolation. According to the AARP, “life expectancy exceeds safe driving expectancy after age 70 by about six years for men and 10 years for women.” Yet, 41% of seniors do not feel that the transportation support in their community.
• Lonely people are more likely to engage in unhealthy behavior such as poor diet, lack of physical activity, as well as smoking and excessive use of alcohol.
• Social isolation in seniors is linked to long-term illness. A 2010 study in Psychology and Aging identified a direct link to increased blood pressure, as well as chronic lung disease and arthritis.
• Geographical isolation can lead to social isolation. This can prevent seniors from receiving benefits and services that can improve healthy independent lives, reports the National Council on Aging.

Ways to Minimize Isolation and Loneliness:

“We evolved to be a social species”, says Dr. Cacioppo, a neuroscientist at the University of Chicago. “It’s hard-wired into our brains, and when we don’t meet that need, it can have physical and neurological effects.” Simply telling seniors to engage in more social activities may not be enough. Considering our loved ones’ needs as individuals is a valuable first step to figuring out how to prevent or combat isolation.

Actions recommended to combat isolation and loneliness include:

• Living in a community situation can be an effective barrier to loneliness, and most senior communities specifically promote wellness through diet and exercise programs.
• Volunteering can reduce social isolation. Seniors have a unique skill set and unique abundance of life experience to contribute to their communities. There are plenty of opportunities tailor-made for seniors interested in volunteering.
• Take a class, preferably one that stimulates learning, training, and as well as promotes exercise.
• Learn about social media. Use technology to improve, not replace, direct interactions with others.
• Physical activity, particularly group exercise programs such as dancing and yoga, can reduces senior isolation and improve overall wellness.
• Take a field trip, a day excursion, see a friend, or go site seeing!

Conclusion

Please be sensitive to the social needs of an aging or disabled loved one. Feel free to contact All Points Assisted Transportation to inquire about a social trip to see friends and relatives, or to schedule a shopping excursion…or even a trip to the beach! Social outings are our favorite kinds of transports.

HAPPY NEW YEAR READERS!

With regularity, when a new year begins, predictable changes occur within our NEMT business. Often a rollout of a new Medicare or Medicaid insurance plan takes place, or a new service contract takes effect. The result – many new members are added to our transports, and many previous members move on to receive benefits from other insurance programs and providers. We at “All Points” welcome the new arrivals to our services, and we will miss those who have moved on. The “insurance churn” effect is part of our business just like the tides are part of the seashore.

This post, however, is focused on a more recent and major trend for 2015 that has captured the attention of many observers of the health care industry.

Merger and Acquisition Trend within the Senior Housing Market

Beginning early last year we started to hear more chatter regarding mergers and acquisitions, or “M&A”, within the senior housing and rehabilitation industry. I have been reading several articles regarding predictions for 2015 with regard to senior housing and rehabilitation segment, and I would like to share some of the results.

Senior Housing News Report

Senior Housing News, just released an article discussing “The Top 10 Senior Housing Trends for 2015”. The very first item mentioned on their list states:

#1) M&A Accelerates As Efficiencies Are Needed for Shareholder Returns

“The course of frenzied mergers and acquisitions reached more than $16 billion in 2014 and will continue into 2015 as both not-for-profit and for-profit providers and service providers are driven to evaluate combinations by any number of factors including.”

• Relative consensus that reimbursements will remain flat
• Continued rising pressure on operating and overhead costs
• Uncertainty of regulatory and audit processes
• Increasing compliance complexity with industry regulations
• Continued low cost of capital

“Given these factors, the trend for more M&A (within the senior housing segment) is almost a certainty, but are there more complex opportunities that may yield greater long-term results yet are complicated from a systems, personnel and culture standpoint.”

The article concludes with: “Regardless, M&A discussions and thoughts will be on the minds of almost every industry participant in 2015.”

GE Capital Survey Results

“Spurred by changes in the post-acute environment and improving industry fundamentals, U.S. senior housing and care investors and providers are aggressively pursuing a variety of expansion strategies.” James Seymour, senior managing director of GE Capital, Healthcare Financial Services’ real estate financing team states that senior housing investors expect to acquire even more health care real estate in the coming year as they look to growth primarily through acquisition. And despite an anticipated rise in interest rates as well as more regulatory oversight, they are expecting business performance to improve further.

Such are the findings of a survey conducted in September 2014 by GE Capital among 150 senior housing executives. The executives were surveyed via email on their concerns and plans for the coming year in senior housing. Largely they are bullish on the opportunity that the sector continues to present, with several shifts in their attention versus years past.

“Acquisition activity has continued to be strong,” says James Seymour. “This is driven by a couple of factors: one, the strength of the industry and overriding demographics. Combine that with an environment where interest rates are pretty low and that makes for a good economy for acquirers.”

Among those surveyed by GE Capital, 67% said their primary growth strategy in the next year is to buy or merge with existing properties or operators, and 26% said they will upgrade and revitalize existing properties. Due to their demand for acquisitions, more than half said the most important financing they seek will be acquisition financing, with 31% reporting they are likely to seek construction financing.

Opportunity or Challenge

But an opportunity—or challenge—is also rising in the shift of providers toward working with larger health care systems to improve health care delivery overall.

“To some it’s an opportunity and to others it’s a threat,” Seymour says. “All the changes are about reducing the cost of the health care system. Operators who either don’t have the capital or bandwidth or acumen are probably those that will end up being sellers in the next few years.”

Conclusion

As we are providers of transportation services to a customer base largely comprised of clientele residing in the senior housing environment, we can only act as spectators as the mergers and acquisitions take place and the trend plays out. All Points Assisted Transportation pledges the finest personalized service to our clients regardless of whether they reside in their own home, a locally owned board and care facility, or a chain of skilled nursing facilities owned by a multi-national conglomerate.