Apr. 20, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contacts: Sarah Mashburn, 202-508-9492
Kathryn Brod, (410) 884-8302

New AAHSA Ziegler 100 Report Profiles Nation’s Largest Not-for-Profit Senior Living Providers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In the last 15 years, the number of independent living units provided by the 10 largest not-for-profit senior living organizations has more than doubled, according to the latest AAHSA Ziegler 100 (AZ 100), a report on the nation's 100 largest not-for-profit, multi-site senior living providers.

For the third year, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) and Ziegler Capital Markets Group have jointly released the AZ 100 report. In addition to listing the largest not-for-profit systems by the number of units they own and operate, the report also includes data on the largest government-subsidized senior housing multi-sites, the largest health-care-sponsored senior living providers, the largest single-campus senior living providers, and other financial, trend and historical data within the aging-services field.

"Not-for-profit organizations continue to evolve to meet the needs of the people they serve," said Larry Minnix., AAHSA president and CEO. "This report paints a picture of a vital part of America’s aging services continuum that continues to be a driver of leadership, change and commitment to creating the future of aging services.”

Daniel J. Hermann, managing director and group head of Ziegler's Senior Living Finance Group, considers the report an important resource for anyone with an interest in the senior living field. "This year's study introduces new elements for consideration such as system name changes, secondary market classifications, aggregate growth rates and financial ratios," Hermann said. "The ongoing development of the AZ 100 has now created a tool that will help us study trends to an even greater degree in the future."

The report’s key findings include:

• In addition to over 180,000 units represented in AZ 100, over 50 percent of the systems offer government-subsidized (affordable) housing.
• Senior housing systems in the AZ 100 range in size from 690 to 20,991 units.
• The 10 largest senior living systems have grown primarily through new community development.
• The number of communities of the 10 largest providers undergoing expansion since the year 2000 is six times higher than a decade ago.
• AZ 100 systems provide market-rate senior living in 42 states. With 17 system headquarters, Pennsylvania leads the nation in this service for seniors.

AAHSA and Ziegler will update their findings annually. They also plan subsequent reports adding more detail and refinement of the AAHSA Ziegler 100 data, as well as reports on the characteristics of different types of provider groups among AAHSA's members.

The 164-page report is accessible in the "Publications and Resources" section of AAHSA’s web site, www.aahsa.org, and on the Ziegler web site, www.zieglerseniorlivingfinance.com.

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About AAHSA
The members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org) help millions of individuals and their families every day through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services that people need, when they need them, in the place they call home. Our 5,800 member organizations, many of which have served their communities for generations, offer the continuum of aging services: adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. AAHSA’s commitment is to create the future of aging services through quality people can trust.