13 Senior Living Trends Property Managers Should Know

Multiple years into the pandemic, COVID-19 is still shaping many industries. Senior living is one of the most hard-hit areas, with several disruptions in normal operations because of tightened health protocols. Even as the world adjusts to a “new normal,” there remain stricter rules for this industry because of the demographic’s vulnerability to diseases.

Senior property management companies, government agencies, and healthcare providers are coming together to create senior living spaces that are suitable for the new normal. If you are a property owner, property manager, or another staff member involved in senior care, it’s important to stay on top of the latest developments so you can keep your residents as safe as possible. The following trends have recently risen in the senior living industry:

1. Personalized Solutions in Demand

According to a 2022 Trend Report from SeniorTrade, there’s a movement towards senior living as a service. This means that older people are looking for more personalized solutions in their senior living community. As one-size-fits-all services become less popular, senior care facilities are finding themselves in a rush to design and offer customized senior living services to their residents. This applies to every aspect of senior living, from senior housing to personal care.

2. Small Home Trends

Thanks to the pandemic, there is an increasing popularity in senior housing designs that are easier to manage from an infection control perspective. One of these is small homes, which also offer affordability and customization. Modular homes, pocket neighborhoods, and prefabricated houses are rapidly becoming more popular options. Aside from the ease of contagious disease management, small homes provide a sense of privacy that a larger senior living community cannot guarantee.

3. Luxury Senior Living

This is one of a few trends that are not a direct result of the pandemic. There is an increased demand for luxury campuses and locations in the senior living industry. Those in urban settings and prime locations are becoming top choices because of quality hospitality services, access to excellent healthcare, and amenities that improve the lives of their residents. In fact, some senior property management staff are offering senior living services like personal butlers, 24-hour care, and gourmet chefs. Still, the steep average monthly price tag of $20,000 leaves the majority of the market unable to hop on this trend.

4. Emergence of Affinity Communities

Affinity communities are also booming in popularity. Affinity communities are senior living communities where residents share common interests, races, religions, or other factors. Under this configuration, residents are able to live among like-minded individuals, form deeper bonds, and form a sense of community with their fellow residents. This reduces the feelings of loneliness and isolation that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

5. Improved Air Quality

As COVID-19 has been established as an airborne disease, it was quickly found that poor ventilation is one of the factors that has made it such a transmissible illness. That’s why there’s a strong movement towards improved ventilation and air quality in senior living facilities. Aside from the pandemic, air pollution is also becoming a bigger threat. Many seniors have some sort of chronic respiratory conditions that air pollutants can aggravate. That’s why efficient ventilation systems and effective electrostatic filters are being incorporated into the design of new facilities.

6. More Outdoor Spaces

While active senior living was encouraged before the pandemic started, it’s become a necessity. This trend spawned the need for more outdoor spaces where residents can have an active lifestyle and maintain social distancing. With these spaces, they can exercise, breathe in fresh air, and see green spaces that have been proven to help with their mental health. In many senior living communities, additions like heat lamps and weather protection are integrated to add comfort and protection in less-than-ideal weather, as well. This allows for active senior living year-round.

7. Innovative Communication Technology

During the height of the pandemic, seniors weren’t able to talk to their loved ones face to face; this worsened the feelings of loneliness and isolation, especially for those in long care. Today, interactions are possible again, but there’s still heightened risk with every contact within their senior living community. That’s why there has been a push for an improved communications infrastructure in senior living facilities. Increased internet bandwidth, uninterrupted Zoom calls, and reliable electronic devices are thus in high demand to address this need.

8. Telehealth as an Alternative

Similar to improved online communication, telehealth is also one of the emerging senior living trends. Senior residents communicating online with their primary care provider and their specialists is safer than physical visits. In-person visits also take precious time from the healthcare professional, especially if the appointment is just for a routine checkup. That’s why many senior living facilities are bolstering their technological infrastructure and solutions to make telehealth easier for their residents.

9. Options for the Middle Market

The middle market is a demographic with too much income to be eligible for subsidy, but too little income to afford the most common senior housing options. They have the biggest population, more than the low and high markets combined. With their eyes on this untapped market, senior property management staff are scrambling to put up facilities that can accommodate their needs while remaining affordable. Moderately priced senior living communities will likely remain in demand for the next few decades; the earliest ones to pounce on the opportunity will get the highest returns.

10. Convenience Through Technology

Because of their aging bodies, seniors can have a hard time accomplishing simple daily tasks. However, the latest innovations are making things easier. Thanks to integrated technologies in senior living communities, mobility, health tracking, and diet have become easier to manage. From wearable technology to smart devices, many modern inventions are becoming increasingly normal additions that help enrich residents’ lives.

11. Welcoming Interior Design

One of the biggest factors that affect the experience of a resident inside senior housing is the interior design. In recent years, there’s been a trend to create indoor environments that help improve the mood and overall health of residents. Welcoming interior design that remains functional and comfortable is favored most of all. Some specific trends are wide, green spaces, increased natural lighting, and open layouts that allow interaction among residents.

12. Inclusive Communities on the Rise

While there’s still a long way to go, the movement toward more inclusive senior living communities is already on the rise, promoting socially active senior living across many different demographics. Barriers like religious and ethnic differences are slowly being dismantled, and facilities that encourage a diverse senior population are becoming more prevalent. This is also a secondary effect of the middle market’s entry, since this demographic is much more diverse than the current market.

13. Memory Care Reemerges

Memory care communities are dedicated to those with diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. When the pandemic hit, this niche experienced the biggest loss in occupancy. However, the numbers are starting to climb once more. This rebound is mostly because of the specialized nature of memory care, but there are other factors at play. As memory care reemerges, so does the need for specialized facilities that offer related services.

Final Thoughts

The latest senior living trends can leave your facility scrambling to meet unprecedented needs and demands for improved senior living services. From communication management solutions to technology integrations, there are many new things that can make operations chaotic. Thankfully, we have your back at ExactEstate. We are your trusted experts in managing senior living facilities, offering technological solutions that streamline your operations and enhance efficiency. For more details, please contact us today.