How Value-Based Care Gives Senior Living Communities a Strategic Advantage

A recent report from Argentum highlights that senior living communities must embrace value-based care to meet rising resident expectations and remain competitive. As whole-person wellness becomes the standard, operators who prioritize preventive health, coordinated services, and personalized support can stand out in a crowded marketplace.

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Survey Insights on Resident and Caregiver Priorities

Argentum partnered with Curana Health and Activated Insights to survey 250 senior living residents, family members, and direct care workers. Their report, “Value-based care: Delivering what matters most to senior living residents,” reveals clear alignment between value-based care principles and what both consumers and caregivers expect—namely, effective communication, tailored care plans, innovative technology use, cost containment, and seamless care coordination.

Key findings include:

• Affordability Concerns: Eighty-nine percent of respondents worry about long-term care costs. The most pressing financial fears involve unexpected emergency care bills, out-of-network charges, over-the-counter medication or equipment costs, monthly insurance premiums, and copays.

• Care Team Accessibility: Forty-seven percent of those surveyed ranked 24/7 access to care teams as their top priority, while 23% emphasized regular wellness check-ins between appointments. Additional needs included help scheduling specialist visits (11%), support during care transitions (10%), and service verification (9%).

• Collaborative Decision-Making: Seventy-seven percent of participants want to work alongside care teams when making healthcare decisions, with 39% specifically valuing clear, understandable communication and explanations from providers. Effective health outcome management was second-most important at 27%.

• Holistic and Individualized Care: Sixty percent expressed interest in a holistic approach that addresses physical, mental, and social well-being. Beyond traditional primary care, almost half (49%) wanted on-site dental services, while 36% prioritized mental health and 32% requested podiatry. A full 33% said cultural, spiritual, or personal needs should be woven into care plans.

• Technology Integration: Sixty-eight percent said clinicians using advanced medical technology is important, and 20% specifically mentioned remote health monitoring as a desired service. Respondents see real-time tracking—for blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, or oxygen levels—as a way to reduce disruptions, provide peace of mind, and support aging in place with better outcomes.

Why Value-Based Care Matters for Senior Living Operators

The Argentum report underscores that as senior living and healthcare converge, operators who build strategies around prevention, continuous support, and whole-person care will meet both resident expectations and upcoming regulatory requirements. With the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mandating that all Medicare beneficiaries participate in value-based care plans by 2030, adopting models focused on quality outcomes, cost control, and collaboration is no longer optional—it’s essential.

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According to the report, communities that emphasize preventive screenings, care coordination, and personalized wellness plans can reduce reliance on emergency services and manage chronic conditions more effectively. “By building care strategies around communication, personalization, innovation, and affordability, senior living operators can not only meet regulatory expectations but also foster deeper trust, satisfaction, and loyalty among residents,” the authors write.

Action Steps for Senior Living Communities

1. Invest in Prevention and Early Intervention:

• Implement regular wellness checks and health screenings.

• Educate residents and families about preventive measures to avoid acute episodes.

Enhance Care Team Accessibility and Communication:

• Ensure 24/7 access to nursing and care staff via on-site teams or telehealth.

• Establish protocols for timely updates and follow-ups after appointments.

Expand On-Site Services and Holistic Offerings:

• Integrate dental, mental health, and podiatry services into existing care plans.

• Train caregivers to address cultural, spiritual, and personal preferences.

Leverage Innovative Technologies:

• Deploy remote patient monitoring tools to collect real-time health data (e.g., blood pressure, glucose, oxygen levels).

• Use electronic health records (EHRs) and care-coordination platforms to streamline information sharing among providers.

Align with Regulatory Requirements:

• Partner with value-based care networks or develop in-house programs that meet CMS guidelines.

• Monitor quality metrics and patient outcomes to qualify for incentive programs.

Looking Ahead

The convergence of hospitality and healthcare in senior living means residents expect more than a safe place to live—they want proactive, coordinated, and personalized health management. Operators who prioritize these value-based care components will not only differentiate themselves in a competitive landscape but also position their communities for long-term success. As the Argentum report concludes, “Aligning with these expectations is not just good practice; it is a business imperative for the years to come.”