May 16, 2024
There Is a Problem With How Senior Living Is Funded
Is the current funding model in senior living hurting the industry? In this Senior Living Minute, James Lee discusses the disconnect between investors and caregivers, highlighting how financial decisions are often made by those who don’t work in the field. While investment is necessary, the current structure has led to burnout, turnover, and a growing gap between funding priorities and frontline needs. It’s time to rethink how senior living is funded—so that caregivers and residents, not just financial returns, remain the top priority.
Transcript: There Is a Problem With How Senior Living Is Funded
We need to rethink how senior living is funded—because funding models shape how companies operate.
I’m not saying we should eliminate outside investment, but there’s a clear issue: many investors in senior living are not caregivers. Instead, funding often comes from real estate professionals, private equity firms, and financial investors—people who, while capable of good work, aren’t driven by caregiving at heart.
This disconnect has contributed to:
- Caregiver Burnout – Those doing the work feel overburdened while decisions are made by outsiders.
- Industry-Wide Turnover – Senior living workers are leaving the profession at alarming rates.
- A Focus on Returns Over People – Investment decisions often prioritize profit over resident and staff well-being.
For years—maybe decades—this misalignment has created an unsustainable system where caregivers feel like martyrs for the cause. If senior living is going to thrive long-term, we must find a better way to balance funding with care-driven leadership.
With tools like Roobrik, family alignment and discovery become easier, faster, and more productive—helping everyone move toward the right senior living decision.