In today’s digital world, a senior living community’s online reputation can make or break a family’s decision. In fact, 96% of families read reviews before contacting a community, more than half won’t consider options rated under 4 stars,.and the most read 7-10 reviews before deciding to trust a business. Yet, navigating the complex landscape of online reviews can be challenging for operators managing multiple communities.

That’s why we’re proud to introduce the Senior Living Reputation (SLR) Score, a simple, standardized way to measure your community’s Google review performance and understand how prospective families perceive your brand.

What Is the SLR Score™?

The SLR Score is built on four key review factors:

  1. Rating: The overall star rating of your community. Communities with 4.5+ stars consistently see higher occupancy and conversion rates.
  2. Positive Review Recency: Families only consider the most recent reviews when evaluating a community online and want to know good things are currently happening there.
  3. Positive Review Frequency: Prospective families read an average of 7–10 reviews before they feel they can trust your brand. A steady stream of new reviews builds credibility over time.
  4. Recent Review Trend: The pattern of recent reviews shows whether your community is consistently providing great experiences. Just a few negative reviews at the top of the review list can form an out-sized impression for visitors.

These factors are combined using a proprietary weighted formula, producing a single SLR Score that provides clarity at a glance.

How the SLR Score Works for Communities and Brands

  • Community Level: The score gives operators a quick snapshot of how each location appears to prospective residents. It helps highlight strengths, identify areas for improvement, and track progress over time.

  • Brand Level: By averaging scores across all locations, the SLR Score allows senior living providers to benchmark their performance against the industry, showing where they excel and where there’s opportunity for growth.

Why the SLR Score Matters

The SLR Score isn’t just a number, it reflects real-world decision-making behaviors:

  • Recent reviews carry more weight than ever: Families form a first impression based on the most recent few reviews. A few negative reviews at the top of the list can undo the impact of dozens of positive ones.

  • Frequency and volume matter: Consistent, positive feedback demonstrates that your community provides high-quality experiences every day.

  • Overall rating drives interest: Communities with higher star ratings attract more inquiries and tend to convert more prospects into residents.

By focusing on these factors, the SLR Score helps communities understand what prospective families see and empowers them to take action to strengthen their reputation.

A Simple, Actionable Tool for a Complex Market

Senior living operators juggle many priorities, from resident care to team management to marketing. The SLR Score simplifies one of the most critical aspects of modern senior living, online reputation, into a single and actionable metric.

With the SLR Score, operators can:

  • Track progress over time at both the community and brand levels.

  • Identify trends that require immediate attention.

  • Compare performance against industry peers.

  • Make data-driven decisions to improve occupancy, lead conversion, and resident satisfaction.

Conclusion

A strong online reputation is no longer optional, it’s essential. The SLR Score gives senior living operators a clear, standardized way to measure, track, and improve their communities’ online presence. By understanding ratings, review recency, frequency, and trends, communities can ensure they are putting their best foot forward with families and turning their reputation into a strategic advantage.

Check out your SLR Score today!

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Introducing the Senior Living Reputation Intelligence Center

Discover the Senior Living Brand Dashboard , a powerful tool that shows Google review KPIs, trends, sentiment, and SLR Scores™ across 200+ senior living brands.

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