This text is sponsored by Senior By Design. It’s based mostly on a dialogue with Reid Bonner, President of Senior By Design; Invoice Foster, Companion at Lantz-Boggio Architects; and Shay Sorgen, Director of Operations Administration at Life Care Companies. This dialogue passed off on November twentieth, 2024, on the SHN BUILD convention.
Senior Housing Information (SHN): Senior By Design combines market intelligence, a deep understanding of human habits, respect for the atmosphere, and a shared imaginative and prescient for finish outcomes. The agency focuses on senior residing design and procurement, having accomplished over 400 senior residing initiatives and procured greater than $400 million in acquisitions. Life Care Companies (LCS), one of many largest senior residing operators within the U.S., manages over 100 properties. Shay Sorgen brings vital operational and advertising and marketing experience to the sector.
SHN: Reid, out of your perspective, are we prepared for the newborn boomers, notably relating to neighborhood design?
Reid Bonner: That’s an awesome query. Are our communities prepared for the boomers? It’s about how we make them feel and look for this new technology. From a design perspective, we collaborate intently with our architectural companions and operators to make sure we’re creating areas which might be contemporary and thrilling. We want mild, energetic environments that encourage.
For instance, take the again wall right here—if it had been darkish brown and paired with heavy chairs, the room wouldn’t really feel practically as open and vibrant because it does now. Small decisions like these can dramatically have an effect on the power of an area. Whether or not we’re constructing from the bottom up or transforming, we act as custodians of the price range, ensuring each choice aligns with the challenge’s targets.
SHN: Invoice, your ideas on this greater image? And extra particularly, how essential is personalization and optionality in making ready for boomers?
Invoice Foster: The child boomer technology is extremely distinctive. Take into consideration the common impartial residing (IL) resident—they turned 18 in 1960. They spent their 20s within the Nineteen Sixties, their 30s within the ’70s, and their 40s within the ’80s—among the most iconic many years. Throughout that point, know-how broke boundaries, exposing individuals to world journey and experiences.
We regularly joke about boomers, however they’ve led exceptional lives. Their various experiences make them distinct people, and we have to respect that in our designs. A technique we’re doing that is by bringing branding consultants into the method early. We’re creating multi-venue eating experiences throughout the identical footprint as conventional areas, providing residents extra intimate, personalised choices that replicate their lives and tastes.
SHN: Shay, from an operator perspective, how is LCS making ready for these adjustments?
Shay Sorgen: I couldn’t agree extra with Reid and Invoice. The main focus now could be on creating distinctive, memorable experiences for residents. Reflecting on my 20 years in senior residing, we’ve come a good distance. Communities used to have tiny widespread areas and multipurpose eating rooms that served as exercise venues and leisure areas.
At LCS, we’ve stepped again to reevaluate what’s labored, what hasn’t, and the place we have to make investments to make sure one of the best ROI for our residents. We’re shifting away from the purely care-based mannequin. Care is what we do, nevertheless it’s now not the only real focus of our communities. We’re designing for the resident expertise—multi-venue eating areas, life enrichment areas, and totally stocked bars.
After I discuss to my mother or go to my grandmother, their perspective is telling. My grandmother jokes, “I’m wiping the previous off me,” when she walks into some communities. That’s not the vibe we would like anymore. We would like areas that really feel vibrant and alive—areas that the newborn boomer technology will see as a spot to get pleasure from life, not simply dwell it.
Bonner: I’ll soar in right here. Working with LCS and Lantz-Boggio on initiatives nationwide, the phrase “flex” comes up typically. Boomers demand multifunctional areas that adapt to completely different wants. For instance, we design multi-purpose rooms with adjoining storage so employees can simply swap folding tables and chairs for various occasions—like a lecture throughout the day and a worship service on the weekend. Considerate storage options preserve areas useful with out creating additional work for workers.
Foster: Precisely—these areas want someplace to retailer their “multi.”
SHN: Reid, is the widespread space a high precedence when repositioning a neighborhood for boomers? What different areas ought to operators deal with?
Bonner: Completely. First impressions matter. The second somebody walks by means of the entrance door, you’re setting the tone. What would you like them to really feel? That “wow” second is crucial. Freshness, power, wellness—it begins with the entrance foyer. Is music enjoying? Does the area really feel vigorous?
Subsequent, eating areas. Years in the past, eating rooms had been simply massive, rectangular rooms. Now, we’re creating interactive kitchens and a number of eating zones throughout the identical footprint. One space may really feel informal, one other extra upscale, and the personal eating room may need glass partitions lined with wine bottles—a “jewel field” second.
Exercise areas are additionally key. We design multi-flex areas with retractable screens, nice lighting, and ample storage to maximise usability for occasions like film nights, courses, or comfortable hours.
SHN: Shay, you had been nodding—do you agree with these priorities?
Sorgen: I do. In our newer Delaney communities, we’ve prioritized areas that ship experiences. For example, we’ve got open kitchen ideas that showcase the chef’s work, making a high-end eating ambiance. Our wood-burning pizza ovens convey heat and authenticity to the area.
It’s about shifting away from that previous institutional deal with effectivity and towards creating wealthy, participating experiences. Residents need one thing that feels extra like a restaurant and fewer like a cafeteria.
Bonner: I agree. The boomers are pushing us towards hospitality-driven design—interiors that feel and look extra like boutique lodges than conventional senior residing communities.
SHN: Invoice, how do architects prioritize areas to refresh, and what tendencies are price specializing in?
Foster: I take into consideration the gross sales cycle. Residents and their households expertise senior residing communities in phases—daytime visits may spotlight a light-filled yoga studio the place residents are engaged and lively. Night visits may showcase a smooth, stylish bar the place persons are socializing and having enjoyable. These moments assist full the gross sales cycle and depart an enduring impression.
You don’t want each area to be a “wow,” however you want a number of standout moments that align together with your gross sales targets.
SHN: The hospitality affect is obvious, however there’s additionally demand for a home-like atmosphere. How do you stability these expectations?
Bonner: Nice query, Tim. Boomers do need all of it—hospitality, home-like coziness, personalization. However that doesn’t imply each area has to ship on all fronts. Good design considers everybody, together with quieter residents.
Invoice and I not too long ago labored on a neighborhood the place we added intimate areas for residents preferring to look at relatively than be within the thick of actions. Nice design balances daring, participating areas with smaller, quieter ones.
We additionally get artistic with present areas. For one neighborhood, we transformed an out of doors stucco wall right into a film display and added followers and seating. It grew to become a night gathering spot the place residents and households now watch motion pictures collectively.
SHN: Viewers query for Shay: What comes first—programming or design?
Sorgen: I feel it’s about intentionality. Typically, we focus a lot on programming that we overlook the performance of areas. On the identical time, design with out programming falls flat.
For instance, Reid and I are reimagining reminiscence care life stations. Years in the past, life stations had been formulaic—child dolls, secretary desks, and so forth. If these areas aren’t purposeful or useful for right this moment’s residents, they don’t work.
When designing or refreshing a neighborhood, assume deliberately concerning the areas and the residents you’re serving. What labored 15 years in the past might not align with what boomers need right this moment.
Foster: Properly stated. Folks occupy locations, and so they reply to their atmosphere. Good programming must be supported by well-thought-out areas.
Bonner: I agree. Even small updates can improve the resident expertise. For instance, we’ve added barista-style espresso machines to reminiscence care communities. They’ve been an enormous hit, offering acquainted, comforting experiences for residents.
Sorgen: Precisely. Boomers aren’t the technology content material with a regular espresso pot and sugar packets. A lot of our youthful reminiscence care residents need the identical specialty drinks they’ve at all times loved—cappuccinos, lattes, French vanilla espresso. Providing these experiences reveals we’re listening to what right this moment’s shoppers need.
SHN: Reid, let’s speak about furnishings, fixtures, and tools (FF&E). Any tendencies or ideas for choosing items for the boomer demographic?
Bonner: Furnishings is crucial. Keep away from shiny, shiny finishes—they present put on rapidly, particularly in communities with walkers or wheelchairs. As a substitute, select items with character and sturdiness.
I steer away from stylish types as a result of they age communities too rapidly. As a substitute, we deal with up to date classics with contemporary colours, mild tones, and timeless enchantment.
Fascinating items—like a Balinese door, a classic desk, or art work with a backstory—add persona and create dialog starters. For instance, we designed a neighborhood with an artwork and furnishings tour that includes items with plaques that inform their tales. Residents adore it.
SHN: Budgets are tight with rising prices. Invoice, any recommendation for refreshing or renovating a neighborhood on a price range?
Foster: Prioritization is essential. Don’t go midway—deal with a number of impactful areas. Take into consideration what works nicely already. Are you able to repurpose underutilized areas? For instance, workplaces can change into storage or quiet nooks, and employees break rooms could be refreshed to spice up morale.
Bonner: Paint is an affordable however efficient device for transformation. Eradicating dated, unattractive components—like previous synthetic bushes—can even modernize an area. Rearranging artwork or combining items right into a gallery wall can add visible curiosity.
In terms of budgets, deal with impression. A standout foyer merchandise—like an announcement portray or a novel child grand piano—can set your neighborhood aside. For instance, we put in a coral-colored piano in Florida and a purple piano impressed by Purple Rain. These items create Instagram-worthy moments that depart lasting impressions.
Foster: Don’t neglect the employees break room—it’s low-hanging fruit that reveals workers they’re valued. Small investments in employees areas can enhance retention and morale.
SHN: Last ideas—any key messages for the viewers?
Sorgen: Keep forward of tendencies and competitors. At LCS, we’re studying {that a} sturdy capital plan is crucial for long-term success. Communities that thrived pre-pandemic can rapidly lose floor if rivals spend money on newer, brisker areas.
We’ve began specializing in one space per 12 months for updates, making certain we’re frequently refreshing and repositioning. It’s about balancing massive updates with strategic, annual investments.
Foster: I’ll echo that and add: Energetic grownup residing is a large alternative. With 94% occupancy and 1% market penetration, there’s vital room for progress. Communities can study from this mannequin by creating high-impact, multifunctional areas that align with resident priorities.
Bonner: My closing takeaway is to prioritize adaptable areas—particularly for in style occasions like comfortable hour, which is probably the most attended gathering in senior residing. Be certain that these areas are giant sufficient, versatile, and welcoming.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for inspiration, go to our 35,000-square-foot design middle in Dallas. It’s a enjoyable place to collaborate and create.
SHN: Thanks, Reid, Invoice, and Shay, for sharing your experience. This dialogue has been extremely insightful as we put together for the subsequent technology of senior residing residents.
Senior By Design supplies business inside design expertise together with working with all facets of senior residing communities, medical services from docs workplaces to giant hospitals, public areas, workplaces, eating places, lodges and church buildings. To study extra, go to: https://seniorbydesign.com/.
