The 2026 Environments for Aging Conference + Expo heads to Phoenix this March, bringing two days of keynote and educational sessions for attendees.
Environments for Aging is previewing some of the upcoming educational sessions in a series of Q+As with speakers, sharing what they plan to discuss and key takeaways they’ll offer attendees.
Session: “AAHID Session: Reimagining Home: Transforming Senior Living Communities for the Next Generation”
Wednesday, March 18, 1:45-2:45 p.m.
Speakers: Susan Dailey, resident and vice chairperson, board of trustees, National Lutheran Communities & Services (Frederick, Md.); Brian Kuhns, senior associate and senior project architect, Noelker and Hull Associates, Inc. (Chambersburg, Pa.); Adair Pagnotta, senior associate, director of senior living interiors, Noelker and Hull Architects (Chambersburg); Craig Wagoner, chief operating officer, National Lutheran Communities & Services (Frederick)
As baby boomers and Gen X approach retirement, senior living communities must evolve to meet new expectations for comfort, independence, and modern design. In this session, speakers will share how one outdated senior living community underwent a bold transformation—inside and out—to create a welcoming, wellness-focused environment that resonates with the next wave of residents.
Environments for Aging: How are the expectations of baby boomers and Gen Xers driving change senior living?
Brian Kuhns (Credit: Courtesy of Noelker and Hull)
Brian Kuhns: The next generations are rejecting a “passive retirement life,” searching for vibrant communities that offer opportunities for lifelong learning and social connections. Design is moving beyond basic fitness centers to holistic wellness environments including pickleball/bocce courts, walking trails, and specialized fitness studios near or within the community.
There’s also a heightened emphasis on well-designed outdoor areas like courtyards, rooftop lounges, and balconies to support safe socialization and the connection with nature. Resident expectations continue to drive the dining experience toward hospitality-style, multivenue options with flexible hours, fresh and diverse menus, and inviting, socially focused spaces.
These two tech-savvy generations require high-speed Wi-Fi and smart home features that are essential necessities rather than offered as luxury upgrades.
EFA: How is this driving renovation work across the sector—and what challenges and opportunities does that present?
Adair Pagnotta (Credit: Courtesy of Noelker and Hull)
Adair Pagnotta: This change is forcing senior living communities to quickly upgrade their current offerings to create more well-being-focused, welcoming, yet modern environments in which to retire. The challenge is how quickly this can occur to keep up with the demand of the growing numbers of boomer retirees.
In-house marketing strategies are shifting toward offering unbundled, choice-driven pricing models and independent living unit finish packages including middle-market options to accommodate a wider range of budgets and preferences.
EFA: What are some strategies for project teams to introduce new design concepts to existing residents?
Pagnotta: Project teams must balance transparency with reassurance to introduce new design concepts and modernization to existing senior living residents, who may be sensitive to changes in their daily environment.
Being transparent can involve keeping the current resident population informed and engaged with updates about renovations and new design concepts as they progress. This might include holding town hall meetings, organizing focus groups, or using digital platforms to give residents opportunities to voice their concerns and ask questions directly to the project team.
For residents who are curious about the changes, design teams can set up viewing windows into construction areas or create a model suite to show exactly what changes are coming. Enlisting interested residents to test new equipment and furniture being considered for the updated spaces can also be effective. These residents often become early adopters and peer advocates within the senior living community, fostering a sense of buy-in and acceptance among their peers.
Find updates and additional information on the 2026 EFA Conference + Expo here.
