Environments for Aging’s 2025 Senior Living Design Industry Predictions series continues with Steve Lindsey, CEO at Garden Spot Communities (New Holland, Pa.).
Check out Lindsey’s thoughts on what opportunities and challenges are ahead for the industry over the next 12 months, including a shift away from traditional, age-segregated communities toward more intergenerational spaces that prioritize well-being and creativity.
Environments for Aging: Post election, how might the regulatory environment change and what will that mean for our industry and the built environment?
Steve Lindsey: This may sound cynical, but I’m not sure there is enough money in senior living to capture the attention of cabinet members focused on decreasing regulation.
EFA: Do you think the new administration’s policies will affect construction prices and labor—how? If so, what impact will that have on the senior living design sector?
Lindsey: Campaign promises of high tariffs and mass deportations would indicate a turbulent year as markets adjust to higher material and labor costs. How all of this is handled by the administration will determine whether senior living will truly “Thrive in ’25.’”
EFA: Where do you think the senior living design industry is heading in 2025?
Lindsey: I think we will continue to see a shift away from traditional, age-segregated communities toward more creatively imagined intergenerational spaces that integrate well-being, creativity, and purpose into every aspect of the environment.
Environments will be designed to prioritize whole-person and community well-being, with spaces being designed to intentionally foster social connection, lifelong learning, and active engagement, serving as a hub for the larger community, not a hermitage for older people.
As smart technology becomes more accessible, it will play a larger part in design and begin to impact operations and outcomes in senior living.
EFA: What’s the biggest opportunity for change in the new year?
Lindsey: The “forgotten middle” continues to be the Holy Grail of senior living and represents both a growing market and growing need in our country as we look at demographics and economic forecasts.
EFA: Demand for senior living units continued to outpace inventory in 2024. Do you expect that to continue in the coming year or will the “cork pop soon”?
Lindsey: I anticipate that demand will continue to be strong, but we will continue to see creative solutions develop that will provide increased alternatives to traditional senior living.
This will not only help to deal with the pent-up demand but also challenge all of us, as providers, to be more innovative in how we create environments where people can thrive.
For more insights from industry leaders, read here.
Anne DiNardo is editor-in-chief of Environments for Aging and can be reached at [email protected].
