The current generation of seniors are healthier, living longer, and seeking a higher quality of life than any other before them. More than 46 million adults aged 65 or older live in the United States. According to americashealthrankings.org, nearly a quarter (24.1%) of those over 65 have some sort of chronic or permanent disability. That number increases to 47% for those over the age of 75.
These seniors and their families are finding the quality of life they desire in companies like Toronto-based Wearable Health Solution (OTCMKTS: WHSI) and its medical alert device systems. Other brands, like Welltower (NYSE: WELL) are helping seniors who choose to spend their golden years in assisted living facilities. These brands are two we’ve identified as possible watchlist stocks for investors looking for strong returns in the senior living market.
Wearable Health Solutions (OTCMKTS:WHSI) is a medical device company that has more operational upside then your average sub-penny stock. Its 4G iHelp MAX is slated for release this year and will help improve its already impressive subscription base. But, its feature programing on upcoming Kathy Ireland shows could be a force multiplier. That’s why you should put WHSI on your watchlist today.
Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE:BKD) stock has been reacting positively after reporting fourth quarter earnings. The company posted a net loss of 44 cents a share, topping analysts’ estimated by 4 cents. In a year ago quarter, the company had a net loss of 17 cents a share. Revenue during the quarter came in at $643.87 million for the quarter ended December 2021, missing the analysts’ projectin of $852.17 million.
BKD stock has outperformed the broader market over the past week with a jump 19%. Moreover, the stock has soared 32% in the past year.
Omega Properties (NYSE:OHI): The coronavirus pandemic had come as a hammer blow for almost all industries and it was no different for companies involved in the senior living properties industry. Omega Healthcare is involved primarily in nursing homes and it was hoped that due to the inevitable rebound things were going to improve.
However, growth pretty much went to a standstill for the real estate investment trust in the fourth quarter. The management stated in its conference call for the second quarter financial results that occupancy needed to be at 80% in order to offset the cash flow issues encountered during the pandemic. At the beginning of 2021, occupancy was at 72.3% and the company ended the year with occupancy of 75.8%. While it can be seen that it was rising, it was not rising fast enough for Omega Healthcare.
Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL): The company reported Q4 net income of $0.13 a share. Same store revenue growth grew 4.8% in the fourth quarter compared to the prior year. On February 15, 2022, the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 of $0.61 per share. This dividend, which will be paid on March 8, 2022 to stockholders of record on March 1, 2022, will be our 203rd consecutive quarterly cash dividend.
Ventas (NYSE:VTR): The next one that you could contemplate tracking today is the Ventas Inc stock, which was in the news yesterday after it announced its financial results for both the fourth quarter and the full year, both of which ended on December 31, 2021.
Debra A Cafaro, who is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the company, noted that in 2021 Ventas had been able to move the business forward considerably owing to relentless efforts. More importantly, the fourth quarter results proved to be better than expectations. In addition to that, she went on to add that Ventas was now in a position from which it could take advantage of the upswing that is expected to hit housing market.
