New LeadingAge Ziegler 150 Shows Continued Growth in Independent and Assisted Living

Posted on January 31, 2018 by Jodi Boyne

In the last 10 years, the average annual growth rate in total units among the 150 largest nonprofit senior living systems in the United States was 3.1 percent, according to the 2017 edition of the LeadingAge Ziegler 150. Most growth occurred primarily through expansion. 

The LeadingAge Ziegler 150 is an annual report that compiles data from the largest 150 nonprofit systems in the United States. In addition to ranking the organizations by size, the report also provides data on a variety of system characteristics, including average annual growth rates, geographic locations, technology use, involvement in offering services like home and community-based services or memory care, and the rate at which organizations are participating in partnerships and joint ventures. 

Two LeadingAge Minnesota members were included in the top 5 largest organizations – Presbyterian Homes & Services and Benedictine Health System. Other Minnesota members in the top 150 include Ecumen (25), AugustanaCare (30) and Elim Care (41). In addition, Minnesota ranked first among the 47 states included in the report with the largest total number of communities: 207. 

Highlights:

• 83.3% of the organizations included in the report are faith-based.
• 60% offer specialized memory care units, while 54% offer some form of home-based services.
• On average, 84% of the communities owned by the organizations in the report use electronic health records and electronic point of care/point of service documentation systems. Almost two-thirds (62%) use care/case management and coordination software.
• Slightly more than one-third are engaged in a formal joint venture, most commonly with another provider, a health system or a home health/home care agency. This is more than the 34% reported in the 2016 report.
• Four out of 10 providers in the report are engaged in a formal health care reform contract, such as an Accountable Care Organization or a bundled payment agreement. This figure has grown steadily over the past few years, from roughly 25% in 2013 to 48% in 2016.
• 43% organizations provide affordable housing for older adults, either through units within a market-rate campus or through free-standing affordable housing communities. 

For more information, see LeadingAge Ziegler 150.