In a recent article, Dr. Joe Coughlin asked, “Who will be the Target or Kohl’s of senior housing? While this industry isn’t about fast food or fast fashion like retail or restaurants, it is about anticipating trends, needs, and consumer demands.

One thing is clear. Boomers and Gen Xers want things their way.

It wasn’t that long ago when every home had a landline telephone, and cell phones were considered a luxury. Today, much of the technology that worked 20 or even 10 years ago is outdated. The same is true for senior living. Many of the amenities that used to attract residents are woefully inadequate today – a single spacious dining hall, a game room for Bingo, and a swimming pool aren’t enough to meet their needs, interests, and expectations. However, many communities have ‘good bones’ and can be repositioned or renovated for seniors today and for years to come.

Master planning brings clarity and vision, creating a roadmap to transform organizations based on community needs, realistic costs, and long-term growth.

Keep these guiding principles in mind to ensure your master plan illuminates your organization's path, prepares you for surprises, and considers all relevant factors.

Practicing caution in uncertain times is a popular strategy. But, in fact, uncertainty presents opportunities for innovation, creativity, and – yes – risk-taking. It’s a time when seriously pondering the ‘what ifs’ can lead to survival, growth, and strong leadership.

It can be tempting to pull back, hold back, and play it safe during uncertain times. In fact, according to one survey of business leaders, about a third said they have felt paralyzed by uncertainty, and nearly half report having put off thinking about decisions because it is uncomfortable. However, if you look around, there are other innovating, trying new things, reaching beyond the same old same old, and taking measured risks. Moving past caution doesn’t mean recklessness. It means identifying real threats and sorting those from those that are imagined or possible but unlikely.

Increasingly, older adults don’t want to engage just with their peers. They want friends and acquaintances of all ages. At the same time, younger people appreciate opportunities for intergenerational living that offer affordable housing and diverse interactions. Many older adults, particularly younger Boomers and Gen Xers, seek to interact with people from other income levels, interests, and age groups. As a result, we’re seeing more communities that mix high-end with middle-market units and amenities, such as restaurants and fitness centers, open to area college students and the broader community. At Integrating Intergenerational Principles into Your Projects, a program at Boston LeadingAge, a panel featuring Pi Architect’s Greg Hunteman discussed how intergenerational connections can enhance both the design and operation of senior living environments.

Santa Claus perfectly represents the ideal senior living resident. After polishing off his milk and cookies, he’s ready for health coaching, telehealth appointments, and a state-of-the-art fitness center with plenty of dining options to satisfy every craving. He also appreciates business and technology amenities to keep him connected to the North Pole and children around the world. Pi Architects can make sure your community stays on the “nice” list this year with our master planning, repositioning, and interior design services.

The holidays can be wonderful and stressful times for senior living residents and their families. Community leaders and staff can do much to make holidays – starting with Thanksgiving – a joyous, positive time for everyone. Invite prospective residents and older adults in the community at large to participate in one or more Thanksgiving activities. Let them experience for themselves how people live and thrive in the community.

At Pi, we stay attuned to what people want in senior living. So, we were curious – what would people who are years away from considering a senior community want? After all, these individuals are the residents of the future. So, shouldn’t we consider their wants and needs in our strategic planning now?

Read what our younger staff and family members had to say.

It‘s time to settle your fears over repositioning. With the right partners and planning, repositioning can be a dream instead of a nightmare. Look at the long-term benefits to the community to stay competitive and think of repositioning as a strategic investment in the future.

Mark Warrick, AIA, LEED AP, vice president of Pi Architects, shared some common fears about repositioning/renovations and how to exorcise these demons!

October brings Halloween and all the spooky fun that comes with it. At Pi, we are embracing the spirit of the season as we consider some “haunting” senior living design trends that stick around from generation to generation. We sat down with Jamie Shepard, interior design project manager at Pi, to discuss design trends that are here to stay: Pull back the curtain! “Natural light is your greatest asset as a building designer and developer,” said Shepard, adding, “Where there is natural light, there is where people want to congregate..

As senior living communities evolve, master planning must focus on fostering engagement, collaboration, and long-term well-being. Whether individuals reside in an active adult community, a senior living development, or independently within a broader neighborhood, providing access to integrated support systems is key to successful aging. One model gaining traction is the Village-to-Village Network, grassroots, community-based approach that enables older adults to age in place with confidence and support.

Let’s face it. The need for middle-market senior housing is real and growing. Initial independent living costs an average of $4,126 or more per month, putting it out of reach for many lower- and middle-class Americans. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), about one-third of individuals over age 50 pay more than 30% of their income for housing, which makes them “rent burdened.” Not only does this make it difficult for them to save for the future, including health care needs, but it also places many at risk for homelessness and increases burdens on families who support or care for older relatives