Industry Voices

By Kimberly Hellekson and Ken Linehan, FK Architecture The clock on advancing the cause of assisted senior living is ticking — quite loudly.  By 2050, an astonishing one-fifth of the American population will be over 65 years of age, according to Statista. That percentage translates into some 30 million people who will require some form of long-term senior care, up from less than 10 million today. Currently, there are not enough seniors housing units to accommodate this need. We are living longer, and as the birthrate in the United States continues …

By James Kraft, Kraft Development The last time I appeared in this section in 2016, I complained in my article Developers Wasting Good Real Estate With Bad Design that same-old buildings were being replaced by same-old buildings with few new communities which I would be interested in moving into as I get closer to retirement. Now, at 66 years old, I will voice those same complaints.  Considering that I have personally been responsible for the “dirt” sitting under more than 12,000 mostly seniors housing units, I hope my voice is finally listened …

By Ray Yancey and Janice Sanada, LRS Architects The seniors housing industry is constantly evolving to meet the needs of residents. The baby boomer generation is quickly becoming the largest demographic of the seniors housing community, and their demands significantly differ from their predecessors. Whereas previous generations embraced designs where seniors housing communities were isolated from the broader community, baby boomers desire a melding of suburban and urban elements, such as entertainment venues, restaurants, professional business services and retail spaces. They also want these amenities to be closer. Blending these …

By Glen Collins, founder of Autside Encouraging active lifestyles for aging seniors is important to supporting their health and overall well-being. For residents in senior living communities, playing outdoor games is a stimulating way to stay physically and mentally active, socialize with others and enjoy nature — all of which can positively impact quality of life and even improve longevity. Sedentary seniors: A dangerous stereotype As people grow older, their bodies experience various changes that can impact the ability to stay active. There is a common misconception that aging seniors …