New research initiative sets out to identify what drives high performance in resident health outcomes within the senior living setting.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (October 20, 2026) —The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC) is partnering with Healthsperien, a nationally recognized health policy consulting firm, to launch a multi-phase research initiative identifying the nation’s top performing senior living communities for resident health outcomes. By examining what these communities do differently in care, staffing, and related operational strategies, the study aims to uncover practices that improve resident health outcomes and expand senior living’s value to residents, families, and investors.
The collaboration builds on previous NIC-funded research that revealed senior living residents are more likely to live longer, have fewer hospitalizations, and benefit from improved quality of life compared to older adults who live in the community. This research will analyze how top-performing senior living communities differ from their peers in driving those better health outcomes.
“Industry leaders want to understand what practices lead to superior health outcomes for the residents, and this study will tell us what these top performing communities are doing differently so others can replicate it,” said Ray Braun, president and CEO of NIC.
The research will pair NIC MAP property data with Medicare claims data and other data collected with Healthsperien’s analysis capabilities to produce actionable insights for operators seeking to improve performance, investors evaluating portfolio quality, and policymakers considering opportunities for the future of quality-measurement frameworks.
“The lessons from this work go far beyond senior living. They speak directly to how our whole health system can deliver better care for older adults,” said Dianne Munevar, Partner and leader of the Center for Health Research, Policy & Strategy at Healthsperien.
The initiative launches this month and will continue into next year, with a capstone report planned for fall 2027.
About the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care
The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), a 501(c)(3) organization, works to enable access and choice by providing data, analytics, and connections that bring together investors and providers. The organization delivers trusted, objective, and timely insights and implications derived from its analytics, which benefit from NIC’s affiliation with NIC MAP, the leading provider of comprehensive market data for senior housing and skilled nursing properties. NIC events, which include the industry’s premier conferences, provide sector stakeholders with opportunities to convene, network, and drive thought leadership through high-quality educational programming. For more information, visit NIC’s website and follow NIC on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
About the Healthsperien Center for Health Research, Policy & Strategy
The Center for Health Research, Policy & Strategy advances evidence-based solutions to complex health care challenges through rigorous research, data-driven analysis, and strategic policy development. With expertise spanning Medicare and Medicaid, prescription drug policy, workforce development, and care delivery, the Center translates research and data into actionable insights that inform policy, strengthen programs, and drive innovation. Working with government agencies, health systems, nonprofit organizations, and industry leaders, the Center provides the evidence and strategic guidance needed to improve health outcomes, enhance program effectiveness, and shape a more effective and sustainable health care system.