The demand for traditionally planned senior living communities that are internally focused and occupy vast amounts of land will always exist. However, the availability of such large sites are becoming increasingly limited and not necessarily for everyone. Alternativly, we are seeing an emerging market of future residents who seek to remain connected to urban and town center locations. We have several projects that are on-the-boards and under construction, that are situated on sites smaller than 1 acre. Within these urban settings, the local community becomes an amenity for the senior living residents. With shops and restaurants in close proximity, there are more opportunities for intergenerational connections, and the project becomes integrated into the neighborhood fabric.
Prior to the pandemic, it was already common to see a trend towards incorporating outdoor spaces, nature connections, and courtyards in every project. However, there is now a renewed emphasis on prioritizing the creation of deliberate connections to the outdoors in all projects. This renewed focus is fueled by the increasing adoption of Biophilic design principles in the senior living industry, which seeks to connect occupants with the natural environment in both direct and indirect ways.
Expanding on the theme of connecting with nature and the outdoors, another movement we are seeing successfully accomplished on projects is incorporating pocket parks into our communities. When planning out cottage communities we are drawing inspiration from the new-urbanism principles of walkability and connectivity to create traditional neighborhoods that prioritize the pedestrian experience over the vehicular experience. We are not limiting this concept to just cottage communities; instead, we are embracing the idea of pocket parks for larger-scale applications as well.
Rather than creating a barrier between our projects and neighboring communities with fences and parking lots by pushing the building back from the property line, we are bringing the buildings up to the edge of the property line and utilizing pocket parks to create relief in the massing. These pocket parks create a close knit "neighborhood within a neighborhood" and enhance the overall quality of life for both our residents and the greater community.
One of the primary reasons to move into a senior living community is to access health and wellness services. Helping residents stay healthier longer, physically and mentally, is at top priority in senior living communities across the nation. Access to state-of-the art fitness and yoga programs is essential within these communities.
Given the negative impact of social isolation on the aging population, it is crucial to design wellness and fitness areas that are designed to promote social interaction among residents, creating a destination experience that benefits not only physical wellness, but also mental wellness.
Another important aspect of wellness is the dining experience in senior living communities. We are seeing more and more the emphasis to provide nutritious, healthy meals and utilizing on site gardens and “farm-to-table” concepts to promote healthy aging. We are seeing more diverse dining options within communities, instead of one big dining room, there are options to have casual dining, grab and go meals, and a formal dining setting, all within one community.
Incorporating exhibition kitchens creates a focal point to engage the residents with the culinary staff and brings excitement and energy into the dining spaces. There is a science to tapping into the various senses of sights, sounds, and smells to enhance the overall dining experience before the residents even taste the food. By incorporating these elements, senior living communities can provide a dining experience that promotes health and wellness, encourages socialization, and enhances overall resident quality of life.
When working on a project, budget is always a consideration, especially with today's challenges of inflation and supply chain disruptions. The goal is to find ways to "do more with less" without compromising on design quality. One challenge, for example, is creating multifunctional spaces that can be easily converted from a theater into an arts and crafts room or into a card room, without looking like a stale "multi-purpose room".
The space must be both visually appealing and practical. To save costs, it's important to avoid building spaces that won't be used frequently. We are exploring innovative concepts such as moveable walls and modular furniture to adapt spaces to multiple functions, maximizing efficiency and affordability. These solutions not only help keep project costs in check but also create flexible spaces that can evolve with the needs of the community over time.
It is no secret that the senior living industry is facing a staffing crisis. To simplify, there is currently a shortage of workers, and the demands of the growing senior living population are exceeding the capacity of the workforce in the future. There has been a shift in focus to prioritize the staff experience and staff health in every community we work on. It is crucial to create environments that are efficient, functional and supportive of the staff’s work. Starting from the early space planning concepts and down to the most minute details, every aspect is thoughtfully considered to ensure that each project does not impede the staff's daily routines.
Staff well-being can be supported by making sure natural light, access to outdoor spaces and comfortable break areas are incorporated into the overall design of the project. Creating a better working environment for the staff will ultimately lead to a better quality of life and care for the residents.
Senior living communities are moving away from the institutional look and feel and every new project we work on seems to want a more residential and hotel-like aesthetic. The goal is to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere that promotes independence, comfort, and community. Many senior living communities are incorporating resort-style amenities into their design. These amenities not only provide an enhanced living experience for residents but also serve as a draw for potential residents and their families. Overall, the hospitality design trends in senior living are focused on creating a more comfortable and engaging living environment for residents. By incorporating residential and resort-style elements into the design, senior living communities are redefining what it means to age in place.
Technology is being increasingly integrated into senior living design to improve the quality of life for residents and to enhance the efficiency of staff. Apartments are utilizing smart-home devices to help the residents with daily activities such as controlling lighting and temperature. Voice activated technology offers increased comfort and convenience for residents as well. Telehealth continues to expand its consumer base and looking towards the future, it will only grow bigger. As senior living communities continue to embrace telehealth technologies it will enable residents to receive medical care remotely and in the comfort of their own home.
Wearable devices and remote monitoring technology can alert staff to resident health issues before turning into significant health problems. Virtual Reality tools can help residents with physical fitness, therapy and rehabilitation, as well as providing experiences that otherwise might be unavailable to them. Research suggests that regularly engaging in these virtual experiences can improve the resident’s feelings of relaxation and well-being.
In addition to implementing virtual reality within senior living communities, we are incorporating VR into our design process and exploring ways to utilize the latest technologies in every project. We are excited about the potential of embracing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and modular construction in the building industry, and are excited to see how the future unfolds!