U.S. skilled-nursing facilities’ occupancy remains stable

Occupancy in U.S. skilled-nursing facilities remained relatively stable at 83.3 percent in the second quarter of 2019, a 0.5 percent decrease from the first quarter but an increase of 0.5 percent from a year ago. The data come from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC). NIC’s second quarter 2019 Skilled Nursing Data Report showed occupancy declining in cities but increasing slightly in rural areas.

Skilled-nursing facilities are inpatient healthcare facilities for patients who need nursing, rehabilitation or related services, but do not require hospitalization.

“Occupancy has been relatively stable during the last 12 months, varying by only one percentage point and staying above its low,” said Bill Kauffman, senior principal at NIC. “The slight decrease from the first quarter likely does not foreshadow a broader trend, because seasonal flu-relate