The Multigenerational Model for Modern Elders

Christine Weber Craik, RID, CHID, ASID, IDC (IDIBC), IIDA, NCIDQ, BAD-ID

Senior Living is on the cusp of a major shift. Baby Boomers—modern elders—are the largest single generational group in human history and have been a socially powerful demographic in terms of consistently changing the status quo. We need to re-evaluate and re-envision senior community design from a different perspective, to prepare and provide for the needs of this generational wave about to overwhelm the eldercare market.

Instead of a residential care model that evolved from the design of mid-twentieth century hospitals, separating seniors from society, we need to look at eldercare from a holistic, multi-faceted and socio-centric perspective. Historically, the most successful model of caring for loved ones has been multigenerational living. When re-envisioned for our modern world, it has several advantages that families, owners, and developers will find appealing.

What does it mean to be a family?

Continuing to live at home with family, young and old, is common in many cultures worldwide and can work very well with appropriate support and means in place. Families with children, parents, and grandparents under the same roof offer multiple financial and social benefits, but it is not an option available to all. How can we better support the future needs of modern elders without a robust family support structure in the commercial senior living sector? A model with caregiving support and inclusive affordability across all socioeconomic groups needs to be created if we are to avoid an industry-wide crisis in elder care.

In the absence of family, there needs to be an opportunity for individuals to connect and create family-like social groups of support for one another. This is possible with economies of scale serving groups of people of all ages; people who are not separated by age, but rather by preferences, abilities, and relationships where varied activities are available. The current pandemic has accelerated change, altering the normally regulated segmentation of work, family time and play through the day. Working from home has become a new reality for many this year, and the difficult task of simultaneously caring for loved ones can happen successfully in a multigenerational community.

How are we going to afford this?

Single-demographic facilities, where almost every resident has expensive care needs, continues to be a financially challenging business model. Multigenerational, mixed-use communities offer operational cost savings, better social support, diverse activities, and an opportunity to bring in income from retail tenants, service providers, and longer-term residents.

Architects, interior designers, owners, and developers are increasingly including all generations in a single master plan because it makes financial sense. Post-occupancy evaluations of traditional senior living communities consistently show that inviting the public in increases quality of care without increasing cost. Thus, a diverse multigenerational model is more not just more vibrant and diverse, but more efficient. Subsequently, the commercial leasing profile can successfully support an increased variety and number of services. Bringing down the operating costs per capita and adding monetized care services à la carte also decreases attrition because residents can age-in-place. Amenities with higher engagement increases commercial leasing income and residential real estate value as a mixed-use community.

How could this model work better for seniors and their families?

For the purposes of research, we envisioned a pilot project: the ideal senior living community. Six important aspects went into evaluating the design solution: self-care and wellness, personal growth and learning, relationships, supportive services, responsiveness between residents and care partners, and importantly, feasibility. The goal was to create a sustainable, self-contained, complete community with amenities enjoyed by both residents and the public. The multigenerational model is the most complete solution.

For developers of these communities, architectural and interior design details matter. For example, increasing street level glazing and lowering sill heights from the second story and above invites community connection into the development. Thoughtful shaping of indoor and outdoor spaces to include variety in volume and exposure–nook to expanse, private to public–provides a favourite space for everyone and thus, higher engagement. Dividing the development into different tower and pedestal sections, each with a distinct character, offers choice and variety. A flexible and interchangeable ‘lock-off’ floor plate makes suite sizes and numbers of rooms perennially adjustable, better accommodating different families.

Individuals can live together as a family by choice and enjoy all the advantages that a supportive social grouping can offer. Inviting all generations into a master-planned, mixed-use community embraces flexibility, diversity, affordability, and decision-making authority. Everyone could find belonging where they fit best, not just grouped by age. Modern elders expect to be close to their families and amenities, with the freedom to shape their lifestyle. The multigenerational model solves many of the pressing challenges for the future of senior living.

__________________________________

Christine.Craik@Kasian.com

Christine brings over 20 years of experience working in the design industry, specifically in senior living, multifamily and healthcare design. She strives to create environments in which others can healthfully and happily live their best lives. She has received her Registered Professional membership with the ASID, IDC (IDIBC), NCIDQ and IIDA, and she is a Board Certified Healthcare Interior Designer with the AAHID and a Certified Eden Associate. Christine is a member of the BC Care Providers Association, the International Council on Active Aging and the Canadian Association on Gerontology. She is a Board Member of the German-Canadian Benevolent Society of BC, dedicated to providing quality care and support for seniors in British Columbia. She brings a depth of knowledge and experience having worked on complex projects in the senior living and wellness sector, including: luxury independent living. assisted living, memory and dementia care, complex care and geriatric behavioral health environments in the United States and Canada.