New senior living, post-acute online courses in the works

Courses for the senior living and post-acute workforces are being developed by Brookdale Senior Living, Inc., and HealthStream, Inc. The new courses will be available to those working inside and outside of Brookdale’s facilities.

HealthStream launched a strategy to expand into the post-acute market in the first quarter of this year. “Initially, we are focusing on long-term care facilities and home healthcare agencies, which, collectively, represent approximately 3 million healthcare professionals,” officials said in announcing fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 results in February. “Coupled with the 5 million healthcare professionals working in our acute-care market space, the company's target market increases to a workforce of approximately 8 million.”

The two companies also are teaming up, via a five-year agreement, to train Brookdale’s 50,000 associates to meet compliance requirements. Employees will use HealthStream’s Learning Center, Compliance Solution and Competency Center—all offered in a Web-based format.

Brookdale offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and home health services via 650 communities in 36 states, with a capacity to serve 67,000 residents.

Lois Bowers

Lois A. Bowers was senior editor of I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living from 2013-2015.