Beehive Homes Remains a Leader in Elder Care Through Ownership Transition

Roswell, New Mexico, is home to one of the leading Beehive Homes assisted living and memory care centers in the country. It was originally opened by Kurt Gass, who chose to invest in the franchise to take care of his aging parents.

“My great-grandmother and my grandmother both had Alzheimer's at the end of their lives,” says Gass. “For her last eight years, my grandmother did not know who we were. I knew my mother had the gene as well, and my dad had polio during the Korean War. I knew they would not be able to take care of themselves at some point.”

Gass opened the Roswell Beehive Homes center in 2007 and spent almost every day there, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2024, he sold the center to Nathan Manning, another Beehive Homes franchisee whom he trusts to maintain the standard of care.  

Learn what sets Beehive Homes apart from other assisted living centers and why these facilities make such a difference in the lives of residents and their families. 

Gass Designed Beehive Homes for People He Cared About

Beehive Homes has always been a top-notch assisted living facility in Roswell because Gass designed it for his mom. She moved into the facility in 2010 and lived there for about a decade. Gass also worked with two of the first residents to move into the center — a husband and wife he worked for.

Not only did Gass design the facility as a place where he wanted his loved ones to live, but he ran it with the residents’ needs in mind. He says most assisted living facilities have tight daily food budgets, but Beehive Homes doesn’t. Instead, employees ask residents about their favorite meals or reach out to family members for recipes.

“Food is a significant part of quality of life,” says Gass. “We just cook what our residents like.”

Gass also speaks highly of his staff, many of whom have stayed with Beehive Homes for several years, far exceeding the industry standard for turnover. In 2024, resident assistants in assisted living facilities had a turnover rate of 47%. Meanwhile, the average Beehive Homes employee tenure is seven years. 

Nathan Manning Took Over the Roswell Location in Late 2024 

After running Beehive Homes for 17 years, Gass decided it was time for a change. He wanted to sell his franchise location, but needed to make sure it went to the right person. He was happy that Nathan Manning matched his values and agreed to manage Beehive Homes in the same manner it had been run for the past decade.

“Providing excellent service and a safe place for seniors in New Mexico has been my life's career and passion,” says Manning. “The Beehive Home in Roswell exemplifies our culture, and we are thrilled to continue the tradition of providing amazing care that Mr. Gass and the Beehive staff have built over the years!”

Beehive Homes is a small facility with 15 residents. It frequently has a waitlist with people who are planning for when they can no longer live alone. Many Roswell families are happy their loved ones have such a high-quality facility close by for their parents and grandparents.

“It’s an unbelievably special place,” says Gass. “The highest quality of life for an elderly person is that they still get to see their family.”

Gass adds that many families continue to visit Beehive Homes after their loved ones pass away. This is because they have formed friendships and personal relationships with the other residents at the center. 

The Beehive Homes Roswell Location Feels Like a House 

Beehive Homes is designed to look like a house from the outside. Many Roswell residents might not realize it is a commercial enterprise at first. Inside, the furniture, artwork, and design elements are meant to make residents feel comfortable, just like they were in their own homes.

The staff at Beehive Homes also works hard to provide entertainment and opportunities for residents, from providing art supplies to playing music.

“We are indeed fortunate to have such an amazing person in our community who believes in the fundamentals of taking care of people properly and with dignity and respect while consistently maintaining a safe and home-like comfort for them,” says Mike Espiritu, President and CEO of the Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation. “Kurt Gass instilled a culture that is the benchmark for others to aspire to in this industry. We are grateful for the continuance of the same high-quality care by the new owner, Nathan Manning.”

The normal resident tenure in Beehive Homes is around 2.25 years, but some residents stay for more than a decade. Kass, and now Manning, want to create a place that becomes home for anyone who lives there. 

Beehive Homes Reflects the High Quality of Life in Roswell 

Economic development increasingly focuses on quality-of-life factors that make people want to live in cities and towns. Roswell, New Mexico, has diverse industries that attract new companies but also desirable communities that make residents happy to live here. With Beehive Homes, Roswell families can feel confident that their loved ones are receiving the best care in the last years of their lives. They can visit often and savor the time they have left. There’s no better quality of life than that.

Follow the RCCEDC to keep up with life in Roswell, from the quality healthcare in the region to the elite public schools.