Summary
In this episode, Jerry Vinci sits down with Jill Johnson, president and founder of Johnson Consulting Services, who has influenced over $4 billion in senior living business decisions. Jill challenges the common assumption that occupancy problems are always sales or marketing failures, revealing how market mismatches, outdated messaging, and corporate strategy disconnects often lie at the root. Drawing from decades of experience secret shopping communities and analyzing resident data, she explains why many properties are unknowingly appealing to the wrong demographic with photos of 90-year-olds in wheelchairs while trying to attract active 70-somethings. The conversation dives deep into why baby boomers aren’t ready for traditional senior living, with median liquid net worth of only $250,000 and different lifestyle expectations than previous generations.
Takeaways
- Market depth analysis must come before blaming sales or marketing teams
- Your actual market area is likely much smaller than you think – track resident origins
- Website imagery must match your target demographic, not your current residents
- Baby boomers want lifestyle choices, not bundled care services
- Corporate standardization kills local market appeal and authenticity
- Church care teams are an overlooked pipeline for qualified referrals
- Active adult communities will capture boomers before traditional senior living
- Couples move in younger and stay longer – target them intentionally
- Local relationships matter more than digital marketing in senior living
- Activity names like “Sit and Knit” can sabotage your positioning
Learn More:
- Connect with Jill Johnson on LinkedIn
- Learn about Johnson Consulting Services
- Buy Jill’s Book Market Forces: Strategic Trends Impacting Senior Living Providers here


