July 21, 2026- At freestanding nursing homes, occupancy has hit a 10-year high, peaking at 86.7% across dozens of major markets, according to McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. The rate had plunged to 73.4% in the first quarter of 2021, but has since increased for 20 consecutive quarters. Demand for skilled nursing care has moderated since it spiked in 2022 and 2023 — following that dramatic pandemic low in 2021 — filling 1.3% more beds last quarter, versus 3.7% more beds in the first quarter of 2023, per McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. The 2026 first-quarter occupancy rate may be reflective of a post-COVID rebound of SNF resident volume.