11 Oct Senior Living Event Ideas to Increase Occupancy

Increase Senior Living Census With Events This Fall

Are there senior living properties in your portfolio with census challenges? One very effective way to increase and maintain occupancy is through event hosting. It’s important to host and promote interesting events that will appeal to both current and prospective residents.  In this blog, I will offer some key event ideas to help your community shine!

Take Advantage of the Season…

 

Host a Fall Open House For Your Prospects

Fall is a perfect time to host a Harvest Open House! Show prospects and their families how warm and inviting your community(ies) is/are by offering delicious fall foods like apple cider donuts. A plus side to warm cinnamon-y treats is that they not only taste like the season, but they also smell like home.

I like the idea of sending your tour takers home with something to remember you. One community promoted their fall open house by offering take-home pumpkin pies (yum). Or, you could order branded collateral that represents both your community and the season. I personally love branded pumpkin stress balls!

Enjoy the Fall Foliage

If you continue reading, you will come to understand that I am personally a huge advocate for senior events that promote health and wellness. That’s why I love the idea of organized fall walks that will get your residents outdoors and enjoying the beautiful sights and smells of crisp autumn days. If your community has walking trails on premise, that’s great. However, if you need to organize a day out, be sure to account for the necessities of your residents.

Adventure to Your Local Pumpkin Patch

Often times seniors with joint pains and other health problems find that adventuring outdoors is intimidating. If you think your residents would be turned off by the idea of an off-premise foliage walk, try something lighter like a fun outing to the local pumpkin patch. I love this idea because it promotes fresh air and a change of scenery and it’s something everyone can participate in.

Host a Pumpkin Painting Party

After everyone comes back from the pumpkin patch, host an early evening event for painting their pumpkins! You can also offer carving tools, but be sure that everyone has the ability to participate.

Don’t forget that your pumpkin painting party should offer all of the accoutrements your residents would expect from any other event. Providing food and and drinks for your guests is a sure way to increase attendance and generate a buzz around the community!

Events For Any Time of Year

 

Events That Emphasize Health and Wellness

The surest way to increase occupancy is by providing a home where senior residents thrive. That’s why it is so important to remain up-to-date on senior health services and holistic wellness. Classes and events centered around mobility, meditation, massage, pilates, yoga, and so on are great ways to help residents remain mentally and physically healthy all year round!

Promote Local Health and Wellness Providers

One idea that I am a huge fan of is hosting a community wellness fair. You can invite local health and fitness professionals to answers any questions your residents might have. Opening up the event to anyone who wishes to attend could be a great way to bring new prospects and their adult-children onto your property.

This idea has an additional benefit. The volunteers who agree to participate will want to advertise on their websites and in their physical buildings. Creating branded flyers and digital banners to provide your volunteers will ensure a wider net is cast for brand awareness throughout your area!

Leverage Local Resources

While you’re out and about sourcing local health and wellness professionals, get inspired by all of the other possibilities your location has to offer. brainstorm ideas with your residents to host a local fundraiser. Narrow down your list and take a poll to decide which local cause is the most popular.

Leverage the talent and unique abilities of your residents to make the fundraiser fun and engaging. A gala or auction could generate interest and engagement for your residents, while getting the word about your community out to local prospects.

Delicious Food

Food service is important to your residents! So, why not play that up with a fun event your residents can really bite into? One idea that incorporates your commitment to quality food at your community is a chef demo night. This event promotes learning, community interaction and a commitment to providing delicious food.

Focused Marketing & Sales Techniques

Most of your prospects and their families will research 4 to 5 communities before selecting one to call home. As you already know, the adult children are often the final decision makers. That’s why it is important to create and promote events in a way that speaks to a range of ages.

Promoting Past and Future Events On Your Website

It is so important that your website gives a clear and comprehensive representation of what it’s like to live at your community. Streaming past and upcoming events on the homepage is a great way to do just that! Every time you host a community event, take pictures on your smartphone. Later, upload them to your company’s blog and social channels.

 

Please Leave Me Your Comments

I’d love to learn what community events were most successful for you!

Please share in the comments below – and happy hosting!