Assisted living avoids big slide in occupancy amid housing downturn

Occupancy rates at assisted living facilities remain healthy, despite the sharp economic downturn. According to a comprehensive study just released by a consortium of industry groups, the average occupancy rate among buildings open at least 12 months is 94.1 percent.

That’s only about 1 percent lower than when the study was last conducted three years ago. The survey of 500 assisted living facilities occurred during the first three months of 2009.