Brookdale (NYSE: BKD) posts stronger March 2026 senior living occupancy
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Brookdale Senior Living Inc. reported continued improvement in its senior living occupancy for March 2026 and the first quarter of 2026. First quarter 2026 consolidated weighted average occupancy reached 82.1%, up 280 basis points year-over-year, with a seasonal sequential decline of 40 basis points versus the prior quarter.
For March 2026, consolidated weighted average occupancy was 82.0%, 250 basis points higher than March 2025, and month-end consolidated occupancy improved to 83.3%. Same community weighted average occupancy for March 2026 was 82.5%, 130 basis points above the prior year. The company notes that historically its strongest occupancy growth period runs roughly from May through September.
Brookdale operates 568 communities across 41 states with the ability to serve approximately 51,000 residents as of March 31, 2026, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities.
Positive
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Insights
Occupancy continues to recover, with steady year-over-year gains.
Brookdale shows solid occupancy momentum, a key driver for revenue and margin in senior living. Consolidated weighted average occupancy for Q1 2026 rose to 82.1%, a 280-basis-point year-over-year increase, while March 2026 weighted average occupancy reached 82.0%.
Seasonal patterns remain evident, with Q1 2026 occupancy declining 40 basis points sequentially from Q4 2025, which the company notes is better than its historical average decline of about 60 basis points. This suggests normal seasonality rather than structural weakness.
Same community weighted average occupancy of 82.5% for March 2026, up 130 basis points year-over-year, points to broad-based improvement rather than growth driven solely by portfolio changes. Subsequent quarterly disclosures will clarify how this occupancy trend translates into revenue, margins, and cash flow.
8-K Event Classification
3 items: 2.02, 7.01, 9.01
3 items
Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure
Disclosure
Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Q1 2026 consolidated weighted average occupancy: 82.1%
Sequential Q1 2026 occupancy change vs Q4 2025: -40 basis points
March 2026 weighted average consolidated occupancy: 82.0%
+4 more
7 metrics
Q1 2026 consolidated weighted average occupancy
82.1%
Up 280 basis points year-over-year in first quarter 2026
Sequential Q1 2026 occupancy change vs Q4 2025
-40 basis points
Seasonal decline smaller than historical ~60 bps average
March 2026 weighted average consolidated occupancy
82.0%
Increased 250 basis points year-over-year vs March 2025
March 2026 month-end consolidated occupancy
83.3%
Improved sequentially from prior month-end level
March 2026 same community weighted average occupancy
82.5%
Improved 130 basis points year-over-year
Communities operated
568 communities
Across 41 states as of March 31, 2026
Resident capacity
Approximately 51,000 residents
Ability to serve as of March 31, 2026
Key Terms
weighted average occupancy, same community, basis points, forward-looking statements, +1 more
5 terms
weighted average occupancy financial
"First quarter weighted average occupancy grew 280 basis points year-over-year to 82.1% in 2026."
Weighted average occupancy measures how full a portfolio of properties or units is overall by giving larger properties or more revenue-generating units more influence on the average. Think of it like calculating a classroom’s average test score where bigger classes count more: it tells investors the true, size-adjusted level of occupancy across a group of assets and therefore the likely revenue, cash flow and operational efficiency of the portfolio.
same community financial
"2025 2026 Same Community Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Wtd. avg."
“Same community” means a shared geographic area or group of people who live, work, or interact in similar ways and who are relevant to a company’s business, customers, employees or regulators. For investors it signals overlap in markets, customers or regulatory exposure—like several stores on the same street sharing the same foot traffic—so events affecting that community can meaningfully change revenue, risk or reputation across connected businesses.
basis points financial
"First quarter weighted average occupancy grew 280 basis points year-over-year to 82.1% in 2026."
Basis points are a way to measure small changes in interest rates or percentages, where one basis point equals 0.01%. For example, if a loan's interest rate increases by 50 basis points, it's gone up by 0.50%. They help people understand tiny differences in rates that can add up over time, making financial comparisons clearer.
forward-looking statements regulatory
"Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995."
Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.
Regulation FD Disclosure regulatory
"Section 7 - Regulation Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure."
Regulation FD disclosure requires public companies to share important, market-moving information with everyone at the same time instead of tipping off analysts or large investors first. Think of it as making sure all players on a field hear the same announcement simultaneously; that fairness helps investors trust that stock prices reflect the same information and reduces the risk of sudden, unfair trading advantages or regulatory penalties for selective leaks.
| UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 | |||||||||||
| FORM | |||||||||||
| CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | |||||||||||
| Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) | |||||||||||
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||||||||
| Registrant's telephone number, including area code | ||||||||||||||
| (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) | ||||||||||||||
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): | ||||||||||||||
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | ||||||||||||||
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | ||||||||||||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | ||||||||||||||
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) | ||||||||||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Section 2 - Financial Information
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On April 8, 2026, Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release announcing its occupancy for March 2026 and certain other information regarding the quarter ended March 31, 2026. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
The information furnished pursuant to this Current Report on Form 8-K (including the exhibit hereto) shall not be considered "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into any filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, unless the Company expressly sets forth by specific reference in such filing that such information is to be considered "filed" or incorporated by reference therein.
Section 7 - Regulation FD
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
The information set forth in Item 2.02 of this report is incorporated herein by reference.
Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
99.1 Press Release dated April 8, 2026
104 Cover Page interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING INC. | |||||||||||||||||
| Date: | April 8, 2026 | By: | /s/ Dawn L. Kussow | ||||||||||||||
| Name: | Dawn L. Kussow | ||||||||||||||||
| Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||||||||
Exhibit 99.1 Brookdale Reports March 2026 Occupancy Brentwood, Tenn., April 8, 2026 – Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE: BKD) reported today its occupancy for March 2026. 2025 2026 Consolidated Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Wtd. avg. 79.5% 79.8% 80.0% 80.5% 81.1% 81.8% 82.5% 82.6% 82.5% 82.4% 82.3% 82.1% 82.0% Month end 80.9% 81.0% 81.5% 82.2% 82.6% 83.2% 83.8% 83.7% 83.4% 83.7% 83.3% 83.2% 83.3% 2025 2026 Same Community Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Wtd. avg. 81.2% 81.5% 81.6% 82.0% 82.7% 83.1% 83.4% 83.7% 83.6% 83.4% 83.0% 82.7% 82.5% Month end 82.6% 82.7% 83.1% 83.8% 84.1% 84.5% 84.7% 84.9% 84.3% 84.4% 84.0% 83.8% 83.9% First Quarter and March 2026 Occupancy Observations First Quarter consolidated occupancy results: o First quarter weighted average occupancy grew 280 basis points year-over-year to 82.1% in 2026. o Sequential first quarter weighted average occupancy seasonally declined 40 bps. Historically, Brookdale’s first quarter occupancy has declined by an average of 60 basis points from the prior quarter reflecting annual factors including winter weather and illnesses, rate changes, and holidays. March consolidated occupancy results: o March 2026 weighted average occupancy increased 250 basis points year-over-year to 82.0%. o March month end occupancy improved sequentially to 83.3%. March same community occupancy results: o Weighted average occupancy of 82.5% improved 130 basis points year-over-year. Historically, Brookdale experiences its strongest occupancy growth period of the year from roughly May through September. 76% 78% 80% 82% 84% Mar 2025 Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan 2026 Feb Mar Average for Month Month end Wtd. Avg. 1Q 2026 82.1% 4Q 2025 82.5% 3Q 2025 81.8% 2Q 2025 80.1% 1Q 2025 79.3% 4Q 2024 79.4% 3Q 2024 78.9% 2Q 2024 78.1% 1Q 2024 77.9% Brookdale’s Consolidated Occupancy
About Brookdale Senior Living Brookdale Senior Living Inc. is the nation’s premier operator of senior living communities. With 568 communities across 41 states and the ability to serve approximately 51,000 residents as of March 31, 2026, Brookdale is committed to its mission of enriching the lives of seniors through compassionate care, clinical expertise, and exceptional service. The Company, through its affiliates, operates independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities, offering tailored solutions that help empower seniors to live with dignity, connection, and purpose. Leveraging deep expertise in healthcare, hospitality, and real estate, Brookdale creates opportunities for wellness, personal growth, and meaningful relationships in settings that feel like home. Guided by its four cornerstones of passion, courage, partnership, and trust, Brookdale is committed to delivering exceptional value and redefining senior living for a brighter, healthier future. Brookdale's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BKD. For more information, visit brookdale.com or connect with Brookdale on Facebook or YouTube. SAFE HARBOR Certain statements in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and include all statements that are not historical statements of fact and those regarding the Company's intent, belief or expectations. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "potential," "intend," "expect," "endeavor," "seek," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "project," "predict," "continue," "plan," "target," or other similar words or expressions, and include statements regarding the Company's expected financial and operational results. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations, and the Company's ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Although the Company believes that expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its assumptions or expectations will be attained and actual results and performance could differ materially from those projected. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's operations and future prospects or which could cause events or circumstances to differ from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to complete pending or expected transactions on agreed upon terms or at all, including in respect of the satisfaction of closing conditions; disruptions in the financial markets or decreases in the appraised values or performance of the Company's communities that affect the Company's ability to obtain financing or extend or refinance debt as it matures and the Company's financing costs; the Company's ability to obtain additional capital on terms acceptable to it; as well as other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in such SEC filings. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's views as of the date of this press release. The Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements, and, except as required by law, it expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any statement is based. Mike Grant, VP Investor Relations • (615) 564-8104 • email: Mike.Grant@brookdale.com
FAQ
How did Brookdale Senior Living (BKD) occupancy perform in Q1 2026?
Brookdale’s consolidated weighted average occupancy for Q1 2026 reached 82.1%, increasing 280 basis points year-over-year. Sequentially, occupancy declined 40 basis points, which the company describes as a seasonal pattern that historically averages a decline of about 60 basis points.
What were Brookdale Senior Living (BKD) March 2026 occupancy levels?
In March 2026, Brookdale reported consolidated weighted average occupancy of 82.0%, up 250 basis points from March 2025. Consolidated month-end occupancy improved to 83.3%, indicating a stronger occupancy position at the end of the month than the monthly average level.
How did Brookdale Senior Living (BKD) same community occupancy trend in March 2026?
Brookdale’s March 2026 same community weighted average occupancy was 82.5%, improving 130 basis points year-over-year. This metric focuses on communities held in both periods, suggesting underlying operational improvement rather than growth driven mainly by acquisitions or dispositions.
What occupancy seasonality does Brookdale Senior Living (BKD) typically experience?
Brookdale notes that first quarter occupancy typically declines seasonally due to winter weather, illnesses, rate changes, and holidays. Historically, Q1 occupancy has fallen by about 60 basis points from the prior quarter, and the Q1 2026 decline was a smaller 40 basis points.
How large is Brookdale Senior Living’s (BKD) operating platform as of March 31, 2026?
As of March 31, 2026, Brookdale operates 568 communities across 41 states with the ability to serve approximately 51,000 residents. The portfolio includes independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement communities across the United States.
What historical quarterly occupancy levels has Brookdale Senior Living (BKD) reported?
Brookdale lists consolidated weighted average occupancy of 82.1% for Q1 2026, following 82.5% in Q4 2025, 81.8% in Q3 2025, 80.1% in Q2 2025, and 79.3% in Q1 2025. Earlier quarters include 79.4% in Q4 2024 and 77.9% in Q1 2024.