Amy Cheever (Image credit: Patricia Mutebi, Snow Kreilich Architects)
Senior living is deeply personal.
As designers, owners, operators, developers, and product manufacturers, many of us have stories that hit a little too close to home, but that, in turn, fuel a passion for innovation and improvement for our loved ones.
My family is living through this right now. My aunt and uncle were beacons of health, eating well, exercising daily, and living independently, but all of that changed within the span of a few months. My aunt suffered a debilitating stroke, and my uncle, her caregiver, passed away suddenly a few months later. Her life changed forever, and her needs reflect that.
Should they have moved sooner to a place of care and arranged everything before this struck? That is the question many families face. Can we as designers create an inspiring space to thrive that attracts seniors from the homes they built over decades, while offering supportive healthcare without feeling institutional? It’s a tall order.
Two new design guides for the senior living market
In fall 2024, SAGE (Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments) joined forces with Sandra Soraci, director of healthcare and senior living segment strategy for global flooring manufacturer Tarkett North America (Solon, Ohio), and a team of owners, operators, architects, and interior designers to create two design guides focused on this challenge. The result is two books: Fostering Independence and Fostering Health and Wellness.
The guides support residents’ independence, health, and holistic wellness by offering practical approaches for designing purposeful environments for seniors. Focus group members collected ideas and brainstormed on a Miro board, followed by writing exercises and specially designed graphics to bring the guides together into a cohesive resource.
The new design guides cover a wide range of topics such as wellness, engagement and socialization, acoustic considerations, and sustainable spaces. Project teams planning their next project can tap into the guides for a specific topic or for inspiration to try something new.
- Fostering Independence: Book 1 examines spatial strategies that support mobility, sensory processing, and navigation. It outlines ways to reduce barriers and empower seniors to maintain autonomy and confidence as their physical and cognitive needs evolve.
- Fostering Health and Wellness. Book 2 explores human-centered design principles that directly support the physical, sensory, and cognitive changes associated with aging. It highlights methods to promote holistic wellness and a higher quality of life.
Challenging established standards for senior living design
During a session at the 2025 Environments for Aging Conference + Expo, several focus group members shared an overview and gathered feedback on the guides and their development from attendees.
One of the most interesting comments was: “What rules do we need to break?” The question turned the discussion on its head and encouraged thinking beyond the new things senior living professionals should design to consider which tired practices need to be reevaluated. Challenging the ideas of the past is as important as creating something brand new, and it opens the door to further innovation.
Collaboration is critical to building a knowledge base for the senior living sector, which requires considering the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of residents, caregivers, staff, and family members. As the oldest baby boomers turn 80 in 2026, the demand for senior housing is reaching unprecedented levels.
“Collectively, we have a financial responsibility to ensure that our design decisions and capital investment achieve numerous objectives, calling on a need to embrace the principles of evidence-based design,” Soraci told the focus group.
Another key focus group member, Jeffery Beegle, senior director of projects at Three Pillars Senior Living Communities (Dousman, Wis.) is walking the talk. As an owner and development manager, he’s actively seeking new ideas and questioning what is done, or not done, in senior living.
The kayak launch at The Fields at Three Pillars in Dousman exemplifies this. Designed to provide safe, convenient, and low-impact access to the water, the launch encourages outdoor recreation that supports physical health, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being. Beyond its recreational value, it serves as a community gathering place and a signature amenity that strengthens the campus’s relationship with nature, promotes active lifestyles, and distinguishes The Fields as an innovative active adult community.
Design resources for the senior living design sector
At the conclusion of working together on the guides, Soraci asked group members to share their “why.” For me, senior living is a heart-led industry. Leading with your heart creates an opportunity to open your mind and help others understand new possibilities in pursuit of creating a place we ourselves would be proud to live.
Asking the “why” can help inform how the senior living industry moves forward.
Download the SAGE Design Guides here. For more on SAGE, visit sagefederation.org.
Amy Cheever, AIA, LEED AP, is a principal at Snow Kreilich Architects (Milwaukee) and can be reached at [email protected].
