According to the United States Census Bureau, between 2010 and 2020, the number of Americans over 65 grew by 38.6 percent to 55.8 million, and by 2030, all baby boomers will be over 65. This aging demographic represents a pressing need for senior living developers to rethink senior housing architecture.
To keep up with forecasted demand for senior living facilities, senior living developers must adopt outside-the-box thinking to come up with new and innovative long-term care facilities. Here is but a small sample of some recent senior living trends.
The heydays of shopping malls are long gone. Sears, Abercrombie & Fitch, Best Buy, JCPenny, Payless ShoeSource, Pier 1 Imports, and dozens of other brick-and-mortar stalwarts have fallen victim to e-commerce and online shopping competition.
The shopping malls that were so often packed in the 70s, 80s, and 90s are now shells of their former selves. However, some senior living developers are turning them into apartments rather than leaving them abandoned or demolishing them. One perfect example includes Skyview on the Ridge in Irondequoit, New York, a $43 million redevelopment with up to 157 senior living units.
University-based senior living communities are an emerging senior living trend that allows seniors to revisit their youth while providing immediate access to continuing or advanced education opportunities. These senior living sites offer courses and activities to further seniors’ education, keep them active, improve their social network, and keep them busy.
Senior living facilities can be found alongside some of the most recognized colleges across the United States. There are senior living complexes at major educational institutions like Duke University, Cornell University, the University of Oregon, Stanford University, and many others. The best part is that Seniors do not have to be alumni to live in these facilities.
For seniors, it’s a question of convenience; living among friends, challenging themselves, furthering their education, and keeping active are just some immediate benefits of university-based senior living. Another includes access to on-site medical services where medical students provide much-needed treatments.
Urban living has long been associated with a younger demographic who willingly partake in active nightlife and enjoy being closer to clubs, bars, shops, work, and restaurants. However, seniors are starting to make inroads into an area primarily dominated by Millennials.
In the six years from 2009 to 2015, the number of seniors in senior living sites increased by 28 percent, a trend that continues today. Part of this increase is because urban senior living facilities are close to public transit, and seniors don’t have to venture far for groceries or necessities. Another reason is that many seniors have had to downsize their retirement aspirations, choosing the affordability of urban senior living sites.
While often associated with independent living, senior multifamily communities still provide assisted living features and skilled nursing as required. These senior living sites are in high demand due to their health and fitness facilities, including spas, fitness salons, community kitchens, gardens, walking and running paths, and tennis/pickleball courts. Despite these amenities, ADA-compliant walk-in showers are commonplace.
EverFab is always at the forefront of new senior living architecture design trends. Whether it’s working with developers, architects, plumbers, or wholesalers, the team at EverFab takes the same meticulous approach to every walk-in shower design.
EverFab is known for its design acumen, craftsmanship, and its dedicated team of bath and shower artisans. Every shower we design is up to code and manufactured by hand using the most durable materials.
Contact our experts to discuss the latest innovations in senior housing development.