Change your approach to resident engagement, as demands have shifted drastically.
By Eric Eichhorst, Director of Sales and Marketing, Applewood
Since I started my senior living career in 2004, resident interest drivers have changed and changed again, several times over.
Every day, here in our metro New York City market, I talk with retirees and their families about what they are looking for in their next home that will meet their interests and needs.
They are not looking for bingo or bocce or the next bus to Atlantic City. In the 2020s, seniors housing residents have made it clear they are no longer coming here to sit in a rocking chair and watch television.
They may be retired from the workforce, but seniors’ improved mental and physical health makes satisfying their needs all the more challenging.
Below are three of the most pivotal senior living trends we are experiencing at Applewood, located in central New Jersey, midway between New York City and Philadelphia:
- Residents take a seat at the community management table
Today, seniors play a decision-making role in everything from lifestyle experiences to community security and interior décor.
Unlike a decade ago, many of our clubs and community service endeavors are now resident-managed and facilitated, not managed by staff.
Residents are eager to share their professional expertise and a plethora of diverse hobbies and interests; it only makes sense for them to help drive our interest groups.
The same can be said for our community operations as well.
Resident representatives are on many of our management committees, including building and grounds, dining services, interior décor, exterior landscaping, and safety and security. Including our customers’ insights into our operational decisions simply makes good business sense.
- Fitness programs not designed for ‘old people’
Don’t get me wrong, our weekly classes focused on Tai Chi and balance improvement are consistently well attended. But we’re also challenging residents to step outside their comfort zone to try new fitness endeavors — and not just activities relegated for ‘older people.’
A big hit this year with residents is our boxing course taught by instructors from a local boxing ring. And it’s not just drawing the guys — the class currently comprises an equal distribution of women and men.
The overall health benefits of boxing are impressive. It’s a healthy cardio workout, increases upper body strength, improves hand-eye coordination, enhances balance and reduces fall risk.
We’ve also added a New York City trend and introduced Applewood Bike Share,our own Citi Bike-style beach cruisers and adult tricycles borrowing system. This free amenity alleviates the need for cumbersome bike storage in residents’ homes. Residents simply sign-out a bike and helmet and enjoy a nice two- or three-wheel trek on our bike and walking paths, spread out across our 40-acre campus.
- New media learning: TED Talks, biopharma, tech and more
Many of our residents earned advanced degrees in a variety of specialties such as education, law, business, engineering, science and technology. Just because they are professionally retired doesn’t mean seniors aren’t enthusiastic about sharing their expertise, hobby or later-in-life passions.
“Our residents are interested in a myriad of interesting and unusual topics and enjoy exchanging ideas,” says Bobbie Schneider, Applewood TED Talks resident facilitator.
Now in its second year, Bobbie and a few resident volunteers select 12 topics, one per month, after watching hours of options on TED.com, where more than 25,000 expert presentations are available. Residents then volunteer to facilitate one of the chosen subjects.
Hot Topics in Scienceresident facilitators invite business and academic professionals to give seminars about various topics related to tech, healthcare, science and innovation.
Today, there is so much to enjoy in retirement, at home and play.
Eric Eichhorst is the director of sales and marketing at Applewood, a continuing care retirement community located in Freehold Township, N.J.