In 2005, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) conducted a study of 1,988 residents from 40 nursing homes in five states. In that study, CMS found that 40 percent of the residents surveyed said they did not get outside as much as they wanted.

Despite, or perhaps because of, the swirl of macro-level concerns and headwinds brought on by recession-driven budget deficits and the Accountable Care Act, interest among major payers in the utility of financial incentives to align quality and value in health care purchasing refuses to recede.

While laundry might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the quality of care at a long term care facility, it does play an important role.

Occupancy rates and rents are on the upswing for the seniors housing sectors, according to the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry (NIC).

This rapidly expanding repository of data offers ample evidence that complements both legend and practical wisdom to better understand the long term care industry and the insight to be gained from the voice of its customers and employees.

No. 1 Emeritus projects that because assisted living is needs-driven, the sector is “relatively resistant to the economic downturns and will continue to benefit from other trends and factors in the industry."

This year's Top 50 providers are moving forward with business models that tout person-centered care and services, despite a tough economic climate.

In many ways, the long term care provider market is considerably ahead of the curve in understanding employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, and how the two relate.