While the senior living industry experienced unprecedented challenges during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, one company has continued to target steady growth and innovation throughout the last two years, having increased its community count to roughly 100.
San Diego-based Pacifica Senior Living, a family-owned-and-operated company, has grown its portfolio across the nation, expanding well beyond its home base of California. The company continues to evolve, setting the stage for its future in senior housing operations.
An individualized approach
Despite having acquired many new communities in recent years, expanding its footprint in Florida, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, the Pacific Northwest and other geographies, Pacifica continues to take an individualized approach to each community it owns and operates.
“Even though we are approaching 100 communities, we have kept the feel of a privately-held, family-owned business with very few layers of management,” says Leslie Quintanar, regional director of operations for Pacifica. “This allows us to stay nimble and react quickly.”
This ability is paramount, particularly during industry uncertainty and post-pandemic recovery, and lends itself to one of Pacifica’s key philosophies: no two communities are the same. The company works to maintain policies and procedures across its portfolio, while allowing and encouraging its executive directors to customize the experience for all residents.
“We give the framework, and the executive directors can make it their own,” Quintanar says. While a menu offering might appeal to residents of one community in San Antonio, the same may not appeal to residents in Utah.
“We honor that and that helps us serve our residents better,” she says.
New innovative programming
In addition to its community-level approach, the company has implemented several portfolio-wide programs to help shape the future for its residents and staff members.
One innovation born of the pandemic and the subsequent widespread technology adoption among residents is a company-wide “Tech Tuesdays” program. Under the program, each community incorporates some type of technology in its activities of the day, then posts about it on their Facebook pages and shares what they are doing with the national Pacifica community.
“We’ve had everything from virtual reality headsets to facilitate ‘travel’ to iPad classes and ‘TED Talks,’” Quintanar says.
The company also encourages its chefs to add their own regional dishes and specialty items as requested by residents, and has created monthly food committee meetings to keep residents informed about new menu items and receive requests.
“We provide the framework but allow our communities to make it their own,” Quintanar says.
Targeted growth through acquisition
As Pacifica continues to expand its portfolio, the operator does so with an eye toward communities that are value-add opportunities. Upon obtaining ownership, the company implements needed improvements, including adapting units depending on resident needs.
The approach has served the company well, helping it broaden its reach beyond California and the western United States.
“We have a plan to continue to grow,” Quintanar says. “Through the pandemic we added communities to our portfolio and we have some additional acquisitions in the works. We will continue to grow as long as it makes sense for the company.”
Pacifica Senior Living is a national owner and operator of senior living communities, spanning care types from independent living to memory care services. To learn more about Pacifica, visit pacificaseniorliving.com.
