Gary

Your still a lucky guy. here in South New Jersey the facilities provide little to no entertainment. I've played at a few, donated one gig to a place near me and did a benefit fundraiser for another. Rave reviews all around from residents to staff to management. I told them all I would play anytime in the future for a reasonable fee. I also did what you did and put out the obvious info about our expenses which they seem to forget. Any callbacks ? No . I called one AD I felt comfortable with and questioned her. "Everyone had a great time, the residents were singing and dancing and didn't want me to leave. The staff was doing the same so it ain't me, what is it ?" Answer -- " We have very limited funds.
Medicare just cut our budgets by 30% ", ( familiar number ?)
BTW restaurants and bars are crying the same song here for the last few years. People come here on vacation but spend a lot less going out. Go to the beach, walk the boardwalk, but eat and drink at home. Its the one expense people can control. A few place are goldmines and pull the crowds in but thats not the norm.
If you can get anything going in this economy its a winner and be happy for it.