Activated Insights Launches Workforce Index, Built on Data From Over 236,000 Assisted Living & Skilled Nursing Employees

First edition finds staff turnover above 60% in both settings, with about 4 in 10 departures occurring within a new hire's first 90 days

TAMPA, FL, UNITED STATES, November 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Activated Insights, a workforce enablement and experience management platform serving more than 16,000 senior living communities and home-based care agencies across the long-term and post-acute care continuum, released the first edition of the Activated Insights Workforce Index: Assisted Living & Skilled Nursing. The free index report draws on employment records and employee surveys from over 236,000 employees across 2,500-plus assisted living and skilled nursing communities.

The Workforce Index pairs real employment outcomes, including hire dates, departures and roles, with new-hire, engagement and exit surveys completed by employees through Activated Insights' Experience Management platform. The result is a view of turnover and retention grounded in the employee experience. Activated Insights will publish a new edition every fall and spring.

"Senior living runs on its people, and operators deserve data that reflects what those people actually experience," said Bud Meadows, Chief Executive Officer of Activated Insights. "The Workforce Index is built on what employees tell us, paired with real employment outcomes, so leaders can see where turnover starts and leverage data and intelligence to engage employees before it becomes a problem."

Turnover Is Improving in Assisted Living and Holding Steady in Skilled Nursing

Annual staff turnover in assisted living fell to 71.9% in the 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2026, down from a peak of 84.6% in late 2024. Skilled nursing turnover stood at 64.4% and has held steady for two years. In both settings, direct care staff turn over at least twice as often as management.

The First 90 Days Remain the Biggest Window

About 40% of departures in both settings happen within 90 days of hire, a share that has barely changed since 2024. Direct care feels it most: 39% of direct care hires in assisted living and 41% in skilled nursing leave before day 90.

"Turnover is moving in the right direction in assisted living, but the first 90 days remain the biggest risk in both settings," said Todd Austin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Activated Insights. "When about 4 in 10 departures happen that early, how a new hire's first weeks go becomes one of the strongest retention levers an operator has."

Leavers Point to the Day-to-Day Experience

When employees who left rated their former jobs, the widest gaps compared with current staff were in work/life balance and supervisor relationships, which leavers rated 24 to 28 points lower on a 100-point scale. Recognition and appreciation followed close behind.

Availability

The Activated Insights Workforce Index: Assisted Living & Skilled Nursing is available as a free download at https://activatedinsights.com/workforce-index/.

About the Data

Figures are rolling 12-month rates through Sept. 30, 2026, and describe each segment as a whole, not any single operator. Turnover figures come from employer rosters across all roles and are not directly comparable to CMS Care Compare staffing measures.

About Activated Insights

Activated Insights helps more than 16,000 senior living communities and home-based care agencies across the long-term and post-acute care continuum build stronger workforces and better care experiences. As the leading provider for the long-term and post-acute care market, its solutions, powered by the largest combined home care and senior living dataset, span compliance training, retention, experience management, and benchmarking and recognition programs that help providers reduce risk, improve satisfaction and lower turnover. Learn more at www.activatedinsights.com.

Emily Budd
Activated Insights
+1 877-307-8573
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