Executives in the senior housing and care industries are optimistic about their performance in the next 12 months, according to a survey of industry executives released today by GE Capital, Healthcare Financial Services. Seventy-seven percent of respondents cited stronger performance expectations in the next 12 months versus last year, with another 22 percent expecting similar results year-over-year.

“In particular, a majority of executives cited M&A as their primary growth strategy, a bullish trend we’re also seeing across our customer base. Since the beginning of the year, we have provided more than $1 billion to help customers meet their financing needs, including acquisitions to support growth.”

As a leading lender to the broader U.S. healthcare middle market, GE Capital, Healthcare Financial Services serves customers in more than 45 sub-sectors including healthcare services, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical office buildings and senior housing. The survey, conducted ahead of the National Investment Center Conference (NIC) in September, gauged the sentiment of industry executives on opportunities and challenges in the market.
“Despite lingering uncertainty regarding reimbursement and economic volatility, senior housing and care executives remain optimistic about their industry and are seeing areas of opportunity in the coming year,” said James Seymour, senior managing director of GE Capital, Healthcare Financial Services’ real estate financing team. “In particular, a majority of executives cited M&A as their primary growth strategy, a bullish trend we’re also seeing across our customer base. Since the beginning of the year, we have provided more than $1 billion to help customers meet their financing needs, including acquisitions to support growth.”

Additional findings from the survey include:

• Financing: Fifty-four percent of respondents said acquisition financing would be their most important financing need in the next 12 months.
• Growth Strategy: Sixty-six percent said mergers and acquisitions is their primary growth strategy in 2013. Another 27 percent plan to grow organically by upgrading and revitalizing existing properties. Expansion into other post-acute care businesses or services received just seven percent of votes.
• Challenges: The U.S. economy (35 percent) and reimbursement pressures (29 percent) were cited as the top two challenges facing senior housing and care executives in the next year.
• Areas for growth: Fifty-four percent of respondents reported assisted living as the most promising growth market in the coming year. Community-based care and services was the least cited area for growth potential, with four percent of respondents.

“More than ever, senior housing and care executives need a well-capitalized lender with a deep understanding of industry issues that can help them tackle opportunities as they arise. We look forward to continuing to provide that capital and knowledge as our customers look to grow their businesses in the coming year,” said Seymour.

The GE Capital, Healthcare Financial Services Senior Housing Industry Survey examined the expectations of 207 executives within the senior housing and/or assisted living industries. The survey was conducted via email with percentages based on those that responded to each individual question.