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Page 24 — Health Care & Senior Housing Quarterly — April 2021 www.crej.com SENIOR HOUSING — DESIGN nities for both residents and students. Another example is our Warner Cen- ter Life Plan Community, which is located on an infill site in the city of Los Angeles and will offer nearly 20,000 square feet of true retail/res- taurant space open to the public. In Littleton, 80% of the apartment units at Vita must be occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older; the remaining 20% of units can be for any age, creating a unique, invit- ing and diverse residential rental community for active adults. Vita also features neighborhood-serving retail and restaurant space for den- tistry, fitness and a full-service res- taurant. n Technology. The pandemic has accelerated the widespread use of telehealth as an accepted way of communicating with health care providers. The latest software can help manage the well-being, security and satisfaction of the residents. Real-time health data can be gath- ered from “smart-beds” and biomet- ric “smart-toilets” and notify nurses immediately of any abnormalities. Touchless tech can help prevent the spread of germs. Video chat plat- forms can help connect assisted liv- ing residents with loved ones. How- ever, it is critical that Wi-Fi coverage spans the entire building, including individual rooms and apartments. Many communities have Wi-Fi coverage in common areas, but COVID-19 has limited the ability of residents (and families) to gather in those spaces. Wi-Fi is not a luxury but a necessity. Boomers and older adults are the fastest-growing online demographic, and they will need to stay connected. n Wellness. The focus on wellness goes far beyond incorporating a fit- ness center. This includes thinking about all six aspects of wellness (physical, emotional, social, intel- lectual, occupational and spiritual) in residential, common and health care spaces. Designing to build- ing standards like WELL Building Standard can measure, certify and monitor features of the built envi- ronment that impact human health and well-being through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind. n Multiuse space. In typical senior living communities, many of the spaces are used only during certain times and frequently can sit vacant. This can leave parts of the building lifeless and underutilized. A great example is the dining room, which could be used for other activities in between dining hours. By creating multiuse spaces, the community will feel more vibrant and active throughout the day. n Unbundled services. We also are seeing more use of unbundled ser- vices, allowing residents to pay only for what they need and not what they don’t need or want. This also can help reduce the price point for those who can’t afford senior hous- ing in its current configuration. n Prevention of germ spread . The pandemic has generated a long list of design changes that can potentially be made to senior living communities with the aim of bet- ter infection control. For example, visitation rooms with direct access to the outside could allow family members to visit loved ones without walking through the community. Hotel rooms could even be added to allow staff members to live on-site without going home and possibly spreading a pathogen. The decen- tralized “neighborhood” concept of assisted living buildings, already an emerging trend before the epidemic, also could gain traction. These types of big-picture adaptations, which involve changing the floor plan, may have major financial implications in both construction and operational costs, and therefore can be a tough sell for developers. On the other hand, smaller-scale tweaks to build- ing systems and finishes are here to stay. These include higher-quality air filtration, ultraviolet lighting and finishes like antimicrobial surfaces and acrylic fabric on the furnishings. Features that limit manual contact, such as touchless light switches and faucets, are easy to implement and can reduce the spread of germs. In closing, the pandemic has shined a bright light on the impor- tance of promoting and maintaining health and wellness, particularly in senior living communities, and how loneliness and social isolation can severely impact mental and physical health. The future of seniors “thriv- ing in place” is through designing wellness and social connections and it will truly be exciting to watch the various programming that occurs linking senior residents to the com- munity so that all will benefit. s bseager@ktgy.com Continued from Page 18 pelling. Some of these are reflected nationally but others are more specific to our market here. Among the most compelling factors are: • Core population of aging baby boomers who comprise the next very large and significant wave of senior liv- ing consumers; • Excellent quality of life with an emphasis on the outdoors, being active and healthy living; • Growing population of all ages, which has continued through the pan- demic, and which has positive implica- tions for both resident and staff popu- lations of senior living communities; • Many Colorado residents are origi- nally from other parts of the country, which can result in these adult chil- dren moving their aging parents to the state when those parents want or need a senior living setting; • Plentiful cultural and educational offerings and opportunities; and • Generally great weather and lots of sunshine, even during the winter. There are likely others that come to mind, but these factors support the ongoing appeal of Colorado to senior- living developers, owners and opera- tors. COVID-19 impacted the senior living sector in a significant way, but it did not change the fundamental need and desire for senior living alternatives that will help us provide for our fellow aging and elderly Coloradans. I believe there is every reason to be optimistic and look forward to seeing our senior living sector here evolve as we move into the future. s hbehnke@panoramacommercialgroup.com Behnke Continued from Page 19 will end up living alone and suffer- ing from the effects of isolation, a known detriment to longevity and health. It’s time for a change. But as we look to a new future, we must remember that beautiful new buildings with gleaming fitness centers, cocktail bars and bistros won’t fix the foundational issues of senior living. As Ross Chapin, the architect and visionary behind the pocket-neighborhood concept, shared with me, constructing a new building is like getting a brand new computer. If you try to run a new computer with old software, it just won’t work. The same is true for community-building structures and culture. It’s critical that as we’re creating new living environ- ments, we’re updating our operating cultures, addressing ageism and mov- ing toward a new future. s Vitale-Aussem Continued from Page 22 KTGY Warner Center Life Plan Community in Los Angeles evokes a contemporary design and offers an array of living options responding to the dynamic needs of residents. Its 695 residential units include 566 independent living units, 65 assisted living units, 20 memory-care units and 76 skilled nursing beds. could inherently eliminate the com- munity elements and compromise mental health benefits that senior living communities provide, all the while ensuring the health and safety of residents and staff. With proper care, health and safety guidelines in place, advancements in testing and vaccinations and the implementa- tion of new technologies, senior living residents can enjoy a home where they live life to the fullest with convenient amenities, tech- nologies and resources that enhance wellness, safety and comfort. n Finding strength in partnerships. Current and active projects are being executed successfully amid these challenging times, due in part to strong relationships with various stakeholders ranging from the proj- ect operator, development partners and design teams, to banking, lend- ing and equity partners. Through times of disruption, collaboration and mutual trust among partners are valuable tenets to ensure proj- ects and visions remain on track. Establishing new standards for this industry will require increased collaboration as developers work to implement new methods aimed at preventing the spread of COVID- 19 and accommodate residents’ needs. When assessing the needs of a project in the wake of COVID- 19, developers are encouraged to tap into networks of partnerships. From operators who have access to laboratories that provide rapid, accu- rate test results, to architects who specialize in cutting-edge technolo- gies and warm community features, securing a variety of strategic and collaborative partners during this time will be critical to optimize the entire residential experience. A top priority for developers in the senior living industry should be protecting the health and safety of seniors and heroic front-line workers who serve as the backbone of these communities. Through the infusion of new technologies and designs into current and future communities, pri- oritizing residents’ physical and men- tal wellness, and strengthening part- nerships, developers have an oppor- tunity to set a new, modern standard for the industry as a whole. s mderrick@confluentdev.com Derrick Continued from Page 21 MorningStar of Mission Viejo is a Confluent project being developed in partnership with MorningStar Senior Living.