CREJ

April 2021 — Health Care & Senior Housing Quarterly — Page 21 www.crej.com SENIOR HOUSING — TRENDS T he senior living industry has heroically faced unique chal- lenges unlike any other this past year. The pandemic’s impact exposed areas for improvement, forcing savvy devel- opers to better equip communi- ties and projects as we continue to adapt to the lasting impacts of COVID-19. Senior living in a post-pandemic world will look different. It will be crucial that developers work closely with partners to reimagine the development journey and strike the delicate balance of enhancing building designs with holistic tech- nologies that adhere to health and safety protocols, while maintaining a sense of home, hospitality, com- munity, joy and wellness for resi- dents. n It’s time to set a new standard. The pandemic caused many senior liv- ing projects to experience delays in development timelines due primar- ily to the halt in new construction lending. This disruption made it critical for thought leaders in the industry to reassess their approach to projects in design, under con- struction and those already in operation. The goal was to continue providing quality senior living developments while simultaneously expanding the commitment to pro- tecting elderly residents as well as staff. Providing safe and hospitable senior housing projects had become more pressing than ever. The implementation of a Whole Health Standard enables developers to adopt a holistic design approach that incorporates the latest protec- tions for residents’ physical health while advancing features essential to mental health. To complement social and voca- tional wellness programming, and defend against dis- ease, it is encour- aged to consider the Whole Health Standard to evalu- ate cutting-edge technologies to enhance wellness and safety, while emphasizing lifestyle, hospitality and comfort. Opportunities exist for develop- ers to enlist resources and lifestyle amenities that prioritize resident wellness through proactive, precau- tionary and innovative designs. The industry must integrate technolo- gies from sanitation stations and touchless faucets and light switch- es, to needlepoint bipolar ionization through HVAC systems and electro- static sprayers that neutralize infec- tious diseases. Additionally, com- munity features that can be incor- porated for properties include bal- conies and outdoor spaces such as open-air dining areas, pools, parks and community gardens to promote enjoyable outdoor activities. The key to successfully delivering a project from the lens of COVID-19 health and safety precautions is to ensure designs remain true to the vision of delivering quality design with a hospitality-first mindset. Moving forward, developers must prioritize innovations to improve their properties based on what has been learned while avoiding designs that elicit a sterile or institutional feel. Developers must ensure senior living residents, staff and guests are protected without sacrificing the quality, aesthetics and comfort of the community or the resident quality of life. n Remain focused on residents. Vari- ous health and safety recommen- dations have better protected us from spreading the virus, but some precautions, like sheltering in place or social distancing, have become mentally and emotionally detri- mental, especially for those resid- ing in senior living communities. With this in mind, there are certain design and community changes that developers may consider resist- ing, as they have the potential to jeopardize the mental health of residents. While a pod concept may provide initial reassurance as it can help reduce the spread of disease, it also can be isolating and negatively impact the mental health of the resident. Practices such as this have the potential to ultimately elimi- nate the features of a community that are sought after and critical for a resident’s happiness and longev- ity. In considering innovations to implement in future communities, it’s important to recognize when to resist the holistic design shifts that Prioritize residents’ physical and mental health Matt Derrick Senior development director, Confluent Senior Living The key to successfully delivering a project from the lens of COVID-19 health and safety precautions is to ensure designs remain true to the vision of delivering quality design with a hospitality-first mindset. Pictured above is MorningStar of Observatory Park. Please see Derrick, Page 24