Get These Assisted Living Trends on Your Radar
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every type of senior living community, including assisted living. There are nearly 30,000 AL communities in the U.S., and every one of them is likely looking at change and innovation to survive and thrive post-pandemic.
Some AL communities are re-evaluating their health care offerings, and most are look at ways to maximize design that promotes safety and engagement. While we don’t have a crystal ball, we can suggest a few innovations to watch for.
1. Living locations. It won’t be enough to have living space, dining, a few activity spaces, and a porch with hanging plants and rocking chairs. AL communities are looking to align services and amenities with resident needs and wishes. This will mean amenities such as community or individual vegetable gardens, fruit orchards, onsite office spaces, workshops, art studios, retail shops, and more.
2. Dining diversity. Dining will take on new dimensions with bistros, coffeehouses, ice cream parlors, smoothie and other specialty kiosks, wine bars, carryout windows, pizza and snack delivery, and more.
3. Mood-enhancing spaces. The pandemic has made everyone appreciate the value of a comfortable, bright, cheery home. AL will work to ensure living spaces that are warm, welcoming, and functional and that make the best use of limited square footage. Also watch for more balconies and patios that give residents easy access to outdoor spaces and make small units feel spacious.
4. Technology is tops. Capabilities like 5G and smart devices enable instant, real-time communication with family and friends, access to information and news, and tracking of vital signs and other health-related information won’t be luxuries or options; they’ll be necessities. Watch for innovations such as onsite tech support and pop-up stores where residents can shop for and get expert guidance on devices, software, apps, and more.
5. Pets gain popularity. Increasingly, people – including seniors – see pets as part of their family and are adamant about finding AL communities that allow cats, dogs, and other animals. Pet-friendly amenities include onsite dog parks, walking trails with bag dispensers and trash cans throughout, onsite pet sitting services, kennels, or even stables, and pet wash/grooming rooms or stations. Small enclosed yards and patios also are attractive for pet lovers.
6. Easier healthcare access. The pandemic amplified the need for onsite care and remote health care services. Many AL communities are creating onsite rooms for podiatry, dentistry, audiology, and other specialized care, in addition to general physical exams and other services. Also growing in popularity are spaces designed specifically for telehealth visits with large viewing screens, state-of-the-art speakers, and other amenities. Some states have credited or are developing licenses that enable AL providers to offer more robust clinical care and services.
Some hot design trends to watch for include:
Art deco-inspired modernism. Bold colors, geometrics, and high or arched ceilings, inspired by Art Deco and Bauhaus designs, are growing in popularity.
Mid-century modern. Especially popular among baby boomers, this style is generally marked by clean, simple lines, lack of decorative embellishments, and features like open-beamed ceilings.
Mellow yellow and more. Colors and hues that ooze warmth and comfort are a growing trend.
Age-neutral design. Flexible spaces that offer a range of uses and appeal to people of various ages will increasingly be in demand. This includes rooms, entrances, and outdoor spaces that shatter the stereotype of a senior community.
Black and white. From flooring to furniture and everything in between, this classic combination is sophisticated and fun for senior living residents with a variety of tastes.
Low-maintenance, high-performance fabrics. The fabrics and surfaces on furniture, walls, etc. increasingly will need to be more than attractive. They will need to be easy to clean and disinfect, fade-resistant, and sturdy.
Biophilic elements. Increasingly, residents are interested in protecting the environment and incorporating nature into their lives. This means more plants, water, stone, and other natural elements incorporated into design.
Exterior low-voltage lighting. Illuminating exterior walkways, steps, patios, fountains, garden furniture and plants, waterfalls, statuary, etc. enables residents to enjoy exterior spaces after dark. This type of lighting offers the convenience of better control features. Low-voltage landscape lighting also is inexpensive, safe, and relatively easy to install and maintain. It creates the kind of elegant, beautiful, and 24/7 ambiance that seniors increasingly come to expect in their community.
Artisanal attractions. Watch for more future, light fixtures, room dividers, wall coverings, and accent pieces that have a unique handmade, one-of-a-kind feel. This means attributions such as woven textures, rope, fringes, beads, and other elements.
Design and amenities that promote socialization and safety, encourage engagement, feed purpose, and create comfort will be much in demand in every state; and physical appeal and functionality, though they may take a variety of forms, are timeless.
Let us help you create an assisted living community that attracts residents, creates great word of mouth, and keep your buildings filled, regardless of what economic or societal changes come. Contact us here or call us at 512-231-1910.
