In 2022, Shockey was recognized by Building Design + Construction magazine as one of the nation’s Top Contractors for Senior Living. Did you know that Shockey also was nationally ranked as a Top Healthcare Facility Contractor, a Top Medical Office Building Contractor, and a Top Outpatient Facility Contractor? Why does this niche of expertise matter now, more than ever?
The Baby Boomer Generation is Aging
By 2030, 20% of Americans will be age sixty-five or older. Advances in science and technology are reinforcing preventive care and lifespans are lengthening.
Nearly 70 million people comprise the Baby Boomer generation, and many are now entering their 70s. As this cohort ages, they are looking for:
- Intergenerational Community & Connection
Experts predict senior communities will become more multigenerational in the years ahead. The places we create for the oldest members of our communities (and those who take on the mantle of their care) must focus on holistic wellness, purpose, and activities that foster greater and more meaningful connections across the breadth of our social landscapes.
- Enhanced Amenities and Outdoor Activity Spaces
Today’s independent living communities are bustling with activities: gardens, spas, fitness centers, salons, art studios, game rooms, bars, and coffee houses. These amenities aren’t for show. They enhance the quality of life and health. Outside, the creation of intentional outdoor courtyards, gathering spaces, sports courts, and walking trails keep residents fit and engaged while also providing opportunities to interact with neighbors, from dog walkers to moms pushing baby strollers.
- More Flexibility, Better Choices
The number of 82-year-olds — often the age at which a person moves into senior housing — is growing at an accelerating pace, according to PwC. So, too, is a corresponding rise in acuity levels among this older population. To accommodate the rise in age and acuity, more adaptability within independent living apartments and greater activity programming should follow, so residents can more easily make friends, interact with non-residents, and meaningfully connect with a sense of purpose.
- Gerontechnological Advances
As we age, the use of technology allows seniors to maintain and even regain independence. Gerontechnology integrates technology for health, housing, communication, leisure, and, in some instances, work or volunteering for older adults. There is clear evidence that seniors are embracing digital technologies. Whether used for telemedicine, sensory aids, or alerts to assist residents and caregivers, tech advancements enhance people’s lives, facilitate caregiving, and extend the means of aging with grace and dignity.
- Caring For the Caregiver
Today’s seniors expect more from age-focused housing. So do their caregivers. Labor shortages have become a common theme, and the senior living industry is at a turning point. Pre-pandemic, the design and construction of senior living facilities centered on the user experience, and now it’s critical to level up the private areas for staff and caregivers.
Plan for the Future, With a Construction Expert By Your Side
Everyone deserves the opportunity to prolong optimal health and enjoy independence as they age. Our team is committed to building the best age-focused housing in the region.
We have built millions of square feet for senior living and healthcare clients — with millions more under construction — from new construction to complex renovations to multi-phased expansions on busy, occupied healthcare campuses. If you have a construction project on the horizon and are ready to begin thinking about pre-construction services, contact Shockey President Jeff Boehm.