Senior Living Community Trends to Watch

The State of Seniors in the United States

Today’s older adults are healthier and more vibrant than ever, creating demand for senior living communities that embrace independence and convenience rather than just providing a cafeteria menu of healthcare options. Consider this statistic: One in six Americans are 65 and older, representing a demographic that has expanded at nearly five times the general population’s rate over the last 100 years.¹

Mortalities and relocations connected to COVID hit senior communities hard, and occupancy rates have not reached pre-pandemic levels. As Tama Duffy Day, Global Leader of Gensler’s senior living practice, explains, “As we look to the future, we need to build communities and neighborhoods that use momentous and creative solutions to empower people to thrive throughout their entire lifespan.”

Considering Gen X

When planning for senior living, the tendency is to consider Baby Boomers and their needs. However, Gen X (those born between 1965 and 1980) is leading the charge regarding when, where, and how they want to live out their senior years. The oldest members of this age group are currently entering their 60s and are considering active communities or may have already moved into them.

Key Considerations for the Future of Senior Housing

Easy Access to Medical Care

Close access to world-class medical care supports living longer and better. According to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, seniors are increasingly looking to live where options for medical care, socialization, dining, and other city-center perks abound.²

Community, Engagement, and Interaction

Ginni Ryan, head of 13 senior properties in Wolff Co’s portfolio, summarized resident preferences this way: “Today, residents seek more than just accommodation; they desire vibrant communities that cater to their diverse needs and preferences. Specifically, residents are looking for senior independent living communities that offer a blend of comfort, personalization, and engagement.”³

Part of this need for engagement is the fear of isolation. A recent study concluded that Gen X is more concerned about this issue than Boomers.⁴ With this generation more likely to be childless than the previous generation, the need for interaction and support is paramount. For senior living community managers, building community translates into creating events, seminars, parties, book clubs, celebrations, tours, dinner groups, and physical activities. Community mangers should also look to provide more convenient access to services sometimes supported by children, such as picking up medication or collecting mail and packages.

Mental Wellness

Just as mental health awareness has entered the mainstream, it’s also a critical topic in senior living conversations. Meditation, yoga, grief counseling, and group counseling are all part of a healthy lifestyle.

Technological Sophistication

Boomers and Gen X’ers have embraced the Internet and are looking for high-speed Wi-Fi throughout their community. 53% of U.S. broadband households reported they value technology more than before COVID-19.⁵

Coupled with 53% of Gen X expressing the desire to continue to work throughout retirement, residents are demanding the ability to work from anywhere in their community, including common areas and the often newly created co-working spaces.⁶ Ergonomic seating, multiple outlets, and stable Wi-Fi make it easy for residents to work from home. Savvy real estate managers have also created outdoor connected working spaces.

Seniors also want to leverage technology such as smart thermostats, mobile apps, online rent payments, gym reservations, and more. Beyond pure functional aspects, technology provides an essential channel for seniors to stay updated on community programs and upcoming events.

Smart Lockers That Deliver Convenience, Healthcare, & Security

Meeting the demands for both technology and healthcare, Wakeland Housing and Development Corporation, a leading affordable housing developer in California, has installed smart lockers in all its new developments since 2017. Elaine Camuso, Wakeland’s Director of Communications, explains: “Many of our residents – a diverse group of veterans, seniors, low-income working families, and people who have experienced homelessness–require ongoing medications for their health and wellness. We needed to ensure that residents received their medications and other deliveries in a safe and secure manner.”

Smart parcel lockers are also becoming an essential design element in modern senior communities. These sleek systems seamlessly blend into lobbies and shared spaces, offering both convenience and security for residents. Whether in assisted living or independent settings, innovative solutions from providers like Parcel Pending by Quadient prioritize user-friendly design and ADA compliance. Their intuitive interface ensures smooth adoption across all comfort levels with technology, giving residents and staff a simple, secure way to manage deliveries.

Smart Lockers are Residents’ Top Frequently-Used Amenity

Smart lockers have maintained their position as a leading amenity for the second straight year — and it’s easy to see why. While 69% of residents prioritize package security, the true testament to their value lies in usage: an impressive 90% of residents interact with their lockers weekly, and 73% of residents receive 1-3 deliveries a week.⁷

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As senior living evolves to meet the needs of both Baby Boomers and Generation X, communities must blend sophisticated technology, engaging social spaces, and practical amenities that support independent living as well as the need for on-site deliveries. Smart lockers exemplify this intersection, offering the security and convenience that today’s tech-savvy seniors expect while facilitating essential deliveries from medications to everyday packages. With 90% of residents using these systems weekly, it’s clear that thriving senior communities will continue embracing solutions that enhance independence and connectivity. As this demographic continues to grow, forward-thinking amenities that support active, engaged lifestyles will become increasingly crucial to meet the expectations of tomorrow’s seniors.

Ready to deliver more for residents of your senior living community? Speak with a Parcel Pending representative today to secure your solution.

Sources:

1. Parsi, Novid. Top 10 trends in senior living facilities for 2024. www.bcdnetwork.com. March 6, 2024. https://www.bdcnetwork.com/home/news/55165816/top-10-trends-in-senior-living-facilities-for-2024
2. Hoffman, Eric & Rihani, Omar. How Older Adults Living Longer Is Changing Senior Housing Development. www.multifamilyexecutive.com. August 12, 2024. https://www.multifamilyexecutive.com/business-finance/commentary/how-older-adults-living-longer-is-changing-senior-housing-development_o
3. Rogoz, Adina. Baby Boomers Expect More From Independent Living Communities. www.multihousingnews.com. March 29, 2024. https://www.multihousingnews.com/boomers-expect-more-from-independent-living-communities/
4. Mather Institute. The Gen Xperience. information.matherinstitute.com. February 7, 2024. https://information.matherinstitute.com/gen-xperience-2024
5. Serlin, Christine. 7 Takeaways to Leverage Proptech. www.multifamilyexecutive.com. June 1, 2021. https://www.multifamilyexecutive.com/technology/7-takeaways-to-leverage-proptech_o
6. Ermey, Ryan. Only 11% of American workers don’t plan to work at all after they retire. www.cnbc.com. September 6, 2024. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/06/survey-how-many-americans-plan-to-work-in-retirement.html
7. Parcel Pending by Quadient. 2024 Resident Preferences Report. www.parcelpending.com. August 2, 2024. https://www.parcelpending.com/en-us/resources/2024-resident-preferences-report/