Five trends in living spaces for older adults prompted by the pandemic

COVID-19 hasn’t just changed the way we socialize and work. It’s also influencing living spaces. According to Plante Moran Living Forward’s Dana Wollschlager and others interviewed in an AARP article, the pandemic has brought major attention to the quality and upkeep of senior living spaces.

By 2030, all baby boomers — about 73 million people — will be older than age 65, according to the United States Census Bureau. This drastic incline will result in higher demand for senior living communities, but over 42% of infrastructure is more than 25 years old and in need of extensive capital improvements.

COVID has forced communities to prioritize their investments and take a second look at current senior living space designs. At the beginning of the pandemic, residents were much more likely to experience depression, cognitive decline, isolation, and loneliness. New seniors housing designs include an emphasis on mental and physical wellness, ranging from new investments in technology to creating smaller “neighborhoods” where residents can be social while limiting their exposure to illnesses.

To read more on current senior living design trends, check out the full article at AARP.org.