The construction landscape in senior living has no shortage of challenges: changing regulations, supply chain issues, and labor shortages. As these problems continue to impact the senior living design sector, project teams and owners/operators are looking for best practices, new strategies, and approaches on how to stay nimble.
During the 2025 Environments for Aging Conference + Expo, April 26-29, in Lexington, Ky., a variety of educational speakers will delve into these topics and more, including the impact of artificial intelligence on construction, considerations for off-site strategies, and design decisions that can drive revenue.
Here’s a roundup of some of the construction-related sessions scheduled for the 2025 EFA Conference + Expo. For more information and to register, visit environmentsforaging.com.
E07 – Harnessing AI: Transformative Applications in Design, Construction, and Operations
Sunday, April 27, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Speakers: Ray Oborn, executive vice president, asset management, American Healthcare REIT, and James Worker, design project manager, Erdman
Panelists will discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) impacts design, construction, and operations within senior living. Attendees will learn actionable strategies for how AI optimizes design processes, improves construction efficiency, and enhances operational outcomes.
E08 – Little Money, Big Impact: A Path to Achieve Much-Needed Campus Physical Improvements on a Budget
Sunday, April 27, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Speakers: Carol McKinley, CEO, Simpson Senior Services; Jackie Patterson, principal, Lenhardt Rodgers Architecture + Interiors; and Deborah Seitz, principal, Lenhardt Rodgers Architecture + Interiors
In these sessions, presenters will use project case studies to demonstrate ways of achieving goals, including desired upgrades or a new building, on a modest budget for a variety of project types and sizes. Attendees will hear about a campus renovation and how the project team differentiated between wants and needs and prioritized health and safety to achieve success.
E11 – Embracing Off-site Construction Approaches to Deliver High-quality Solutions
Sunday, April 27, 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Speaker: Ellen Rath, senior project manager, Cuningham
Construction labor shortages, shrinking trade pools, supply chain disruptions, and the rise of a technology-driven economy highlight the need for a shift in building practices. Sharing recent case studies, this presentation will explore how off-site construction methods, such as volumetric, modular, and prefabrication, can alleviate these pain points, enabling housing authorities, developers, and owners to deliver high-quality housing more effectively than with traditional methods.
E12 – Design Decisions That Drive Revenue for Repositioning and New Construction Projects
Sunday, April 27, 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Speakers: Matt Haywood, founder and CEO, Tazergy; BJ Miller, managing partner, Indigo & Paradigm Atlantic; Stuart Scott, principal, Cardinal Land & Capital; and Steve Williamson, founder and executive consultant, Village Crossroads.
Join this diverse panel of industry experts to explore how to select the right enhancements for a project and ensure they have the desired impact on occupancy, resident satisfaction, operations, and revenue. Attendees will learn how to identify and then pay for the right design differentiators, whether through faster ramp-up, design offsets, cost savings, or ongoing revenue generation.
E16 – Overcoming Obstacles in Construction Projects: An Owner/Operator Perspective
Monday, April 28, 9-10 a.m.
Speakers: Greg Conner, senior vice president, treasurer, Trilogy Health Services; Peter Massey, senior vice president, development, Trilogy Health Services; and Sandee McKnight, associate vice president, health center growth, Trilogy Health Services
Understanding the obstacles that owners and operators must navigate to reach project completion is key. This panel will spotlight two projects, one new campus and one renovation/conversion, that presented myriad challenges, from budget and lending constraints to unforeseen conditions. The session will also discuss lessons learned from these and other projects to help streamline delivery in the future.
Find updates and additional information on the 2025 EFA Conference + Expo here.
