What does it take to make a senior living community a home?
Your future residents probably aren’t dreaming of harsh fluorescent lights or cold linoleum floors. Aging in place is now the preferred living arrangement for 95% of adults aged 55 and older, showing a growing desire for comfort, connection, and independence.
These values don’t change when staying in one’s own home gets physically or mentally challenging. As seniors or their caretakers explore new options—from assisted living to nursing homes—they’re looking for communities that offer both personal fulfillment and quality care. Here’s how your facility can attract residents as older Americans shift toward aging in place.
Empowering Seniors to Stick to Their Routines
Relocating to a senior living community is a major life change. New residents may feel like they’re uprooting their life, often after decades in their current home. However, the right services and amenities can ease the transition.
Transportation options are particularly attractive for seniors who want to maintain their routines. StoryPoint Group, for instance, offers complimentary shuttle rides for both errands and excursions. Bolstering your scheduled transportation with volunteer driving programs can further expand access to local destinations—from grocery stores and libraries to nearby parks—without consuming your budget.
Onsite gyms and enrichment programs further empower seniors by mirroring the benefits of aging in place. For example, Sagewood provides a range of activities—including yoga, dance, arts and crafts, and educational seminars—to enhance wellness and connection to hobbies and interests.
Simple changes can be just as beneficial for seniors. Even sprucing up your dining hall to offer a cozy, at-home feel or an elevated, restaurant-esque experience can give residents a feeling of normalcy as they transition into senior living.
Maintaining Privacy and Personalization
Flexibility and choice are only two critical aspects of senior living independence. Forbes Health reports a few additional reasons why adults prefer aging in place:
- A desire to maintain control of their personal space
- Feeling confident in their ability to care for themselves
- A preference for a quiet living space
- Feeling safe in their own neighborhood
Privacy must be a priority—and going above and beyond to preserve autonomy can help your facility stand out. Consider helping seniors personalize their rooms for a sense of ownership, or creating resident committees to give members input on community decisions. Wireless call systems, security systems, and scheduled visits from both staff members and peers can further prevent feelings of intrusion while ensuring proper care.
Battling Isolation with Social Activities
Differentiating your community can also mean providing what aging in place can’t offer. For seniors living at home, loneliness is an epidemic. According to a University of Michigan study, 33% of older adults only contact people outside of their house once per week or less, and 37% feel a lack of companionship.
Top senior living communities stand out by fostering meaningful relationships. Think beyond the stereotypical crochet and book clubs. Happy hours, trivia, game nights, and road trips—classic social activities seniors loved going out for before becoming residents—are conducive to connection.
Access to social media and video conferencing apps can also help seniors maintain relationships with faraway family and friends.
Aligning Business Decisions with Community Needs
Filling every residence and developing your waitlist require the prioritization of senior living independence and community relationships. A compassionate management team is key. Today, leaders must be just as focused on providing a fulfilling living experience as they are on boosting the bottom line.
Gecko Hospitality can connect you to proven and vetted senior living professionals—including maintenance directors, dietary supervisors, and general managers—who bring the resident-first mindset you need. As Certified Personnel Consultants (CPCs) and former hospitality leaders, our recruiters are well-versed in aligning talent with your unique needs.
