Austin Montgomery
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Articles by Austin Montgomery
‘3 Jobs in One’: How 8 Senior Living Operators Support, Hire, Train Executive Directors
Senior living operators are evolving their leadership development programs and training to prepare the next generation of senior living executive directors. The vital role of the executive director is becoming even more vital in 2026 and today’s community leaders must bring soft skills in hospitality, oversee care coordination and interpret operational data, all while serving as the public face of a community.
In the Pipeline: Touchmark Starts Work in Alaska; Cedarhurst Hits Milestones in Illinois, Kansas
In the Pipeline is part of your SHN+ subscription In the Pipeline is brought to you by the Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Awards, an annual competition that recognizes cutting-edge design, excellence, and innovation in senior living. Kauhale Health recently announced the acquisition and planned redevelopment of a senior living community in Bluffton, South Carolina, according to a news release.
How Soft Skills, Hospitality Focus Can Make Executive Directors More Effective
Executive directors are vitally important for senior living operators. The industry asks a lot of them, but I think there’s more support that operators can offer. From overseeing care coordination and delivering on lifestyle engagement that is increasingly focused on hospitality to keeping the number of incoming move-ins and new hires flowing, the job of an executive director is not only crucial, but also hard.
High Demand, Lack of New Supply Signals Favorable Senior Living Investment Conditions
Strong occupancy levels, limited new supply and rent growth are all factors fueling a positive outlook for new investment in senior living for 2027 and beyond. The current supply-demand imbalance, improved credit performance and growing appeal among institutional investors also are setting the sector up for continued strength, even as higher interest rates make refinancing and new construction more complex.
RoseVilla Plans Next Evolution With 3 Major Development Projects
Senior living provider RoseVilla Senior Living is planning three major development projects as part of an effort to advance sustainability goals and create more options for older adults Among the scope of the work at the non-profit life plan community in Portland, Oregon, is a new facilities and grounds operations center for staff.
Silverado, SRG Rethink Memory Care Operations as Demand Strains Capacity
More than ever, senior living providers are taking steps to address brain health and rising resident acuity in memory care operations. Memory care is evolving to serve residents with greater clinical acuity and early onset of cognitive change in younger, older adults.
In the Pipeline: Verve Senior Living Plans $20M Renovation; New Affordable Community Planned in Texas
In the Pipeline is part of your SHN+ subscription In the Pipeline is brought to you by the Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Awards, an annual competition that recognizes cutting-edge design, excellence, and innovation in senior living. Verve Senior Living has acquired The Ravines, a full continuum senior living community in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, according to a news release.
Senior Living Operators Report Rising Acuity, Staffing as Pain Points
Rising resident acuity and staffing capabilities remain important factors shaping senior living operations in 2026, and some feel the industry is unprepared for the incoming demand cycle. In a survey of over 500 senior living professionals by technology company Sage, 81% of leaders reported rising resident acuity needs, while only 12% said staffing conditions were “consistently sufficient” in 2026.
The Springs Living, SCAN Partner to Boost Medicare Advantage Access for Residents
Senior living provider The Springs Living is partnering with SCAN Health Plan to create a more connected healthcare experience for older adults living in Oregon. SCAN oversees one of the largest nonprofit Medicare Advantage plans through its Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP), and the partnership will result in co-branded healthcare offerings for older adults that advance value-based care efforts for the Beaverton, Oregon-based senior living provider.
HumanGood CEO: Closing Gap Between Lifespan, Healthspn a ‘Trillion-Dollar Opportunity’
HumanGood CEO John Cochrane sees the coming years as the most pivotal time for senior living providers to improve the healthspan of older adults through innovation. Cochrane frames improving healthspan, the number of good years older adults experience as they age, as the central challenge for the senior living industry.
Creating Culture: How 6 Senior Living Operators Bring People Together
Most senior living operators believe that having a good company culture can mean the difference between success and failure. But what exactly is culture and how does one build it? Building culture is a difficult and often nebulous task, but providers are taking steps to improve their companies’ cultures one hire at a time. Turnover hurts culture, which many operatorsview as a necessity for improving occupancy and net operating income (NOI).
Aspenwood, Kendal Corp., Viva Senior Living Redefine Staffing for Industry’s Next Chapter
Senior living providers are adapting staffing strategies in 2026 to enhance flexiblility and offer a career ladder while matching labor costs to resident care needs. During a recent Senior Housing News webinar, leaders with The Aspenwood Company, Kendal Corporation and Viva Senior Living described a 2026 staffing environment shaped by increased resident acuity, high demand contrasted by a small number of younger staff and the need for greater flexibility in scheduling and benefit offerings.
In the Pipeline: ThriveMore Plans North Carolina Development; Miami Jewish Health Opens Affordable Community in Florida
In the Pipeline is part of your SHN+ subscription In the Pipeline is brought to you by the Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Awards, an annual competition that recognizes cutting-edge design, excellence, and innovation in senior living. Not-for-profit senior living provider ThriveMore announced plans have advanced for a new life plan community in New Bern, North Carolina, according to a news release.
Priority Life Care Embraces New Method to Promote Dementia Care Empathy
Priority Life Care is growing its memory care program to focus its model on a research-based method in an effort to gain more emotional understanding and empathy in dementia care. Today, Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Priority Life Care oversees a memory care portfolio that includes 28 full-continuum communities with memory care segments and four standalone memory care properties.
Why Senior Living Rent, Occupancy Growth Don’t Always Equal Higher Margins
High occupancy rates in senior living are not always translating to broad improvements in operating margins, even as demand for senior living remains high in 2026. In a recent analysis, National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care (NIC) Senior Principal Omar Zahraoui found that while occupancy and rent growth have increased in recent years, margin growth has not always followed suit.
Senior Living Industry Prepares for Next Big Development Cycle as Demand Swells
In 2026, senior living development isn’t dead, but it is hibernating. In the second quarter of 2026, construction starts remained low at levels not seen since mid-2012, according to NIC MAP data. Senior living providers and their development partners are taking on new projects in a more targeted manner and preparing for a time when market conditions turn and allow them to kickstart their next wave of new projects.
Senior Living Nonprofits Embrace Dynamic Pricing Models to Fine-Tune Rates
More senior living providers are using dynamic pricing models when determining entrance fees and resident fees based on floor plans, high-demand units and other factors, according to the Ziegler CFO Hotline Survey released earlier this week. Nearly 80% of respondents said they use two or more factors in determining entrance fee changes, with three factors being the most common approach, according to 31% of respondents.
In the Pipeline: Willow Valley To Open Memory Center; MorningStar Starts in Kansas
In the Pipeline is part of your SHN+ subscription In the Pipeline is brought to you by the Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Awards, an annual competition that recognizes cutting-edge design, excellence, and innovation in senior living. Senior living provider MorningStar Senior Living and Confluent Development announced the start of construction at a new community in Leawood, Kansas, according to a news release.
Why Senior Living Operators Must Embrace Failure to Innovate
Failure is not something most senior living operators want to experience, but they should embrace it when it happens. Senior living operators should be willing to green-light investments in tandem with seeking new partnerships in the name of improving operations. Innovation is a nebulous word that can mean many different things and putting it into practice is more difficult with long timelines.
Brookdale, Atria, Sonida, Other Senior Living Operators Adapt to Industry’s Supply-Demand Imbalance
Senior living operators have entered a new era of little growth and narrowing capacity. Some companies are rethinking their operational strategies as a result. High demand for senior living but difficulties getting new development projects in the ground has led to tighter conditions in certain markets. Where senior living operators could once count on occupancy growth to propel them forward, increasingly senior living communities are filling up.
Solo-Agers Prompt Senior Living Providers to Rethink Community and Care
While senior living demand remains strong in 2026, operators are fine-tuning their approach to reach a growing cohort of solo-ager older adults without traditional family or caregiver support to ensure they are not left behind. According to 2023 data from AARP, more than 24 million people aged 50 and older live at home. Of that cohort, 10% lived alone, were unpartnered and had no living children.
In the Pipeline: Minto Communities USA, Margaritaville Expanding To Texas; MorningStar Starts Construction in Arizona
In the Pipeline is part of your SHN+ subscription In the Pipeline is brought to you by the Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Awards, an annual competition that recognizes cutting-edge design, excellence, and innovation in senior living. Margaritaville Holdings and Minto Communities USA recently announced plans to expand into Galveston Bay, Texas with a 3,500-home development, according to a news release.
AHR CEO: New Deals With LCB, Kensington ‘Reflect a Single Strategy’ for Growth
American Healthcare REIT (NYSE: AHR) is continuing its rapid investment pace, with the company announcing an eight-community acquisition for $696 million. The deal marks a new partnership between the Irvine, California-based real estate investment trust and Norwood, Massachusetts-based senior living provider LCB Senior Living. The move helps AHR expand its ownership presence to the East Coast.
AHR, Kensington Senior Living Announce ‘Long-Term Partnership’ After $572M Portfolio Acquisition
American Healthcare REIT (NYSE: AHR) has acquired six communities from Kensington Senior Living, representing a total investment of $572 million. The six communities include 464 units that are part of a larger eight-community, 745-unit portfolio, the company said in a news release Tuesday afternoon. The remaining two communities in the portfolio are subject to definitive purchase agreements and are expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year.
Starling COO: Senior Living ‘Must Adapt’ to Hospitality, Changing Customer
Florida-based senior living provider Starling continues to hone its operating model to deliver more hospitality-focused services to residents amid strong demand. Starling operates seven luxury senior living properties in Florida, with the communities at full capacity or high occupancy, according to COO Megan Kennedy.
Sage Oak CEO: Why Personalization Could Be Industry’s ‘Silver Bullet’ To Meet Demand
The senior living industry is experiencing strong demand in 2026, and providers must focus on personalization to capitalize on the incoming wave, according to The Sage Oak CEO Loe Hornbuckle. In the latest episode of the Senior Housing News Transform podcast, Hornbuckle said a new wave of pioneers in the industry is focused on creating “incredibly personalized” experiences rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
Why One Single-Site Senior Living Operator Branched Into Home Care
South Carolina-based senior living provider Cumberland Village recently launched a home care program to serve more older adults outside of traditional senior living as external growth remains tough to notch. The company’s new program, Cumberland Village at Home, is aimed at helping older adults stay in their homes and receive care and assistive services in their current residences.
In the Pipeline: Willow Valley Communities Plans Construction Timeline; Forefront Living Progresses on Luxury Expansion
In the Pipeline is part of your SHN+ subscription In the Pipeline is brought to you by the Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Awards, an annual competition that recognizes cutting-edge design, excellence, and innovation in senior living. Willow Valley Communities recently announced plans for construction to start on the Mosaic in November of this year, according to a news release.
Senior Living 2050 Investment Gap Grows to $1T as Growth Lags
The senior living industry is facing a growing development and supply gap, and it needs more than $1 trillion in investments through 2050 to meet demand. That’s according to a newly updated NIC MAP Senior Housing Market Outlook, released Wednesday. The same analysis in 2024 had put the figure needed to meet demand by 2050 at about $800 million, meaning that senior living companies have fallen even further behind with regard to growth since then.
Senior Living Operators Embrace Cottages, Pocket Neighborhoods While External Growth Remains Hard
Senior living development is anything but easy in 2026, which is why some operators are adding pocket neighborhoods, expanding independent living and memory care and planning other new projects to expand their existing campuses. These new projects typically are aimed at either end of the senior care continuum, ranging from adding lifestyle-focused independent living to expanding memory care capabilities.
American Healthcare Management Builds Portfolio by Turning Around ‘Broken’ Communities
Senior living operator American Healthcare Management Group plans to add between six and 10 buildings over the course of the next 24 months, according to Executive Vice President Nick Jasmon. Founded in 2004, the operator manages eight communities under the Elevate Senior Living and Encore Senior Living brands. Earlier this month, the company promoted Jasmon to executive vice president of the Elevate Senior Living brand.
Judson Senior Living Rebrands Membership Model, Embraces Small-Home Memory Care
Judson Senior Living is rebranding its membership model and starting new development to expand the company’s reach while meeting memory care demand. Judson’s leaders recently rebranded the company’s Judson at Home membership program, which allows older adults who don’t live on one of the organization’s three senior living campuses to access dining, wellness amenities and transportation services along with a nurse case manager and social worker.
Impact of GLP-1 Drugs on Senior Living Too Early to Tell as Adoption Grows
Millions of people in the U.S. are taking injectable GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, and now there is even a CMS subsidy for certain GLP-1 medications. But the drug hasn’t had much of an impact on senior living operations or residents thus far.
Senior Living Websites Are Still Too Static. Here’s How Operators Can Evolve
Senior living operators have upgraded their web presences in recent years to attract a more web-savvy consumer. Some sales and marketing leaders say the industry must go even further in that direction. To Heritage Communities Chief Marketing Officer Lacy Jungman, the experience offered on hospitality and travel websites should be the goal.
In the Pipeline: Distinctive Living Plans Next Development in New Jersey; Cedarhurst Opens Nebraska Community
In the Pipeline is part of your SHN+ subscription In the Pipeline is brought to you by the Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Awards, an annual competition that recognizes cutting-edge design, excellence, and innovation in senior living. Distinctive Living, along with Melillo Equities and Pointsfive recently closed $84.7 million in construction financing for CopperWood Senior Living, a new community in Somerset County, New Jersey, according to a news release.
How 4 Senior Living Operators Changed Event Strategies to Attract More Prospects
Simply reaching prospects is half the battle for senior living sales teams. Sometimes, the hardest part is getting them to actually walk through the front door. High demand is leading to higher occupancy rates and longer waitlists alike. Senior living providers are taking steps to engage prospects by making event programming more targeted, social and laid-back.
‘Conversation is Changing’: Higher Occupancy Reveals New Challenge for Senior Living
Market dynamics and a lack of new supply are starting to impact how providers can capitalize on incoming demand – a phenomenon NIC Senior Principal Omar Zahraoui called the “great tightening,” Six in 10 senior living properties in the 31 primary markets tracked by NIC re now operating above 90% occupancy. Another 16% fall between 85% and 90% occupancy.
Certus Living Bolsters Wellness, Memory Care With ‘Life By Design’ Philosophy
Certus Living is launching a new wellness program and bolstering its memory care program in an effort to keep up with the rapidly changing senior living customer base. Certus Living operates five communities in the Midwest and is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The company recently applied for and received a trademark for the phrase “living life by design,” based on the company’s philosophy on senior care.
Certus Living Bolsters Wellness, Memory Care With ‘Life By Design’ Philosophy
Certus Living is launching a new wellness program and bolstering its memory care program in an effort to keep up with the rapidly changing senior living customer base. Certus Living operates five communities in the Midwest and is based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. The company recently applied for and received a trademark for the phrase “living life by design,” based on the company’s philosophy on senior care.
In the Pipeline: Cedarhurst Growing in Missouri; Wingate Upgrades Massachusetts Community
In the Pipeline is part of your SHN+ subscription In the Pipeline is brought to you by the Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Awards, an annual competition that recognizes cutting-edge design, excellence, and innovation in senior living. Cedarhurst Senior living will expand its Cedarhurst of Farmington community in Farmington, Missouri with independent living cottages, according to an news release.
Epoch Senior Living Launches New High-End Brand, Expands Memory Care
Epoch Senior Living is continuing to grow in 2026, including with the launch of a new brand to support recent acquisitions and an expanded memory care program. Epoch Senior Living Chairperson Laurie Gerber took over as the company’s top leader in 2023 following the death of her husband and former Epoch Founder and CEO, Larry Gerber.
Senior Living CTOs Balance Efficiency, Human Touch in Tech Rollouts
Senior living providers are using technology to create more personalized experiences for older adults as they adopt to trends like AI. That’s according to Ziegler’s second Chief Technology Officer Hotline report, released last week, which chronicled how those execs feel about and are using technology in daily operations. One top takeaway is that operators are using technology ito support staff, improve operations and create better resident engagement opportunities while prioritizing human touch.
Sagora Senior Living Invests in Memory Care Training to Boost Empathy, Care Coordination
Sagora Senior Living is investing in new training for staff within its Pathways memory care program in an effort to better educate staff, families and the public about dementia and cognitive change. The operator launched the “Dementia Live” program last month. It uses immersive experiences in training modules that are built to create empathy and improve care coordination for older adults living with dementia in memory care communities. The company is training new team members on a weekly basis.
Brookdale Senior Living CEO: ‘Table Is Now Set’ for Operational Improvement
Brookdale Senior Living’s occupancy inflection has not happened as quickly as expected, but the company’s top leader believes all the strategic pieces are in place and that its plan is beginning to make progress. A new top sales leader, a reorganized portfolio, targeted capital improvements and acquisitions are spurring growth heading into the final two quarters of 2026, according to CEO Nick Stengle.
How Senior Living ‘Ghost Trends’ Are Shaping the Future
Some senior living trends are obvious, from the boom of the active adult sector to the rise of wellness-focused models. But other trends are less apparent. These “ghost trends” are not yet the industry equivalent of the gigantic Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters, but they are shaping the industry in notable and increasingly important ways.
Innovative Memory Care Model Aims to Keep Older Adult Couples Together as They Age
Not-for-profit senior living provider ThriveMore is moving ahead with a development plan to bring a new model of memory care that enables couples to remain together in the same residence when one spouse is living with dementia. Based in North Carolina, ThriveMore currently operates three life plan communities across the state. The EverTogether Residence is a model for a new style of senior living home that supports both someone living with dementia and an independent partner.
American Healthcare REIT Continues ‘Next Level of Growth’ With SHOP Deals
American Healthcare REIT (NYSE: AHR) is on a path to continue its “next level of growth beyond” where the company is today as senior housing acquisition and redevelopment options remain plentiful. Company leadership announced an increased future investment pipeline to a projected $800 million, up from $650 million projected in May.
In the Pipeline: Acts Retirement Life Communities Starts on $200M Expansion; Covenant Living Continues Growth
In the Pipeline is part of your SHN+ subscription In the Pipeline is brought to you by the Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Awards, an annual competition that recognizes cutting-edge design, excellence, and innovation in senior living. Trilogy Health Services is expanding its footprint in the Midwest with the announcement of a new $30 million senior living and skilled nursing campus in Crestwood, Kentucky, according to a news release.
LTC SHOP Growth in 2026 Reflecting ‘Dramatic Shift’ From Two Years Ago
Leaders with LTC Properties (NYSE: LTC) are continuing the company’s pivot to senior living with a strategy of acquiring communities and adding them to its senior housing operating portfolio. The Westlake Village, California-based real estate investment trust (REIT) expects its senior housing operating portfolio (SHOP) to account for 40% of pro forma annualized net operating income (NOI) by the end of September, a quarter ahead of previous guidance, and 50% by the end of this year.
Kendal Corp. Refreshes Brand With Eye on Future Senior Living Growth
Not-for-profit senior living provider The Kendal Corporation has new branding, but its focus on keeping up with the changing pace of senior living demand hasn’t changed. The organization changed branding at its 10 affiliated communities from legacy visual standards to a modernized, cohesive identity to reflect strategic, cultural and engagement needs of a changing senior living environment.
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