As people live longer, more and more seniors are looking for housing options that alleviate the stress of home ownership, help them move closer to family, and allow them to live with ease. Instead of assuming that we know what seniors want and expect out of a community, my team and I speak to seniors one-on-one to find out why they’re searching, what they’re looking for, and how they’re narrowing down their options.
People are naturally resistant to change, so it’s important for companies to understand that senior living communities are a consumer-related choice. People look for communities that will provide the best fit. Just like the fashion industry or companies such as Nike or Procter & Gamble do, altering products or designs to keep pace with the changing preferences of consumers is a necessity.
Here’s what was learned from a few seniors we asked.
Meet Helen
Helen Zapolski is a New Yorker now living in New Jersey who’s excited to move “deep in the heart of Texas.” She’s one of many seniors who told us about her desire to learn more about technology. Helen was nervous about the idea of moving into a senior living community but was excited by the prospect of on-site tech support to help her learn and master technology—for example, how to use her new cell phone.
Meet Pat and Ray
Houstonians Pat and Ray Ham are also interested in technology. They decided to begin their search when Ray started experiencing health problems and Pat thought it was time to live in a community that offers the care and services her husband needs. Their basic search began with finding a place that allows dogs and is one story, which meant no elevator problems. Then as the two narrowed down their search, they realized that they also wanted a place that’s tech-savvy.
Meet Eunice
Eunice Kent, a Houston native, lived in another senior community but was looking for more space. She also wanted a modern décor and convenient layout. Eunice loves the outdoors, so it was important to her to find a community that would provide many opportunities to be outside, from dining to sitting and watching children play. She also looked forward to no longer dealing with lawn, housekeeping, or normal maintenance issues associated with home ownership.
As you can see, transitioning into a senior living community isn’t always about health challenges. It’s about seniors having the freedom to live the life they desire with an abundance of choice; access to convenient technological tools and mobile devices; and opportunities for lifelong learning, creative pursuits, and whole-person wellbeing.
As I’ve talked with seniors to figure out how they think and what they value, I’ve learned that they desire an environment that provides stimulating engagement just like the rest of us. It’s not about bingo and chair exercises anymore; residents want to participate in real clubs that you or I would attend (wine club, book club), try out an art class led by a true artist in a studio and not an arts and crafts room, attend educational seminars and experience culture, and have a variety of options to choose from every day at whatever time fits their schedules.
For a long time it has been about bringing the outside into the community so residents didn’t have to leave. The future generation doesn’t want that, though; in fact, that’s what they’re afraid of.
They want a lifestyle full of choices and opportunities to leave the campus. They want to feel engaged, cultured, and full of life experiences.
Lori Alford is the co-founder and COO of Avanti Senior Living in The Woodlands, Texas. She can be reached at [email protected].
