RDG in the Media: Top 10 Trends in Senior Living Facilities for 2025
RDG's Mitch Elliott and Dan Schindhelm speak with Building Design+Construction to discuss the latest trends shaping the design of senior living communities.
Senior living communities have evolved into diverse locations designed to offer respite for aging adults. Diverse amenities and geographic options allow residents to spend their time in a multitude of ways. Two years ago, Building Design+Construction reported on the top 10 trends in senior living facilities from their 2023 Multifamily Annual Report. To understand how design and construction trends have evolved since then, BD+C interviewed architects and designers in the senior living space, including RDG Architects Mitch Elliott, AIA and Dan Schindhelm, AIA.
Elliott and Schindhelm shared that in the face of changing demographics and increasing competition, senior living communities are investing in strategic repositioning to refresh outdated environments. For example, a current project involves redesigning a former skilled memory care facility into a full-scale wellness center for a Texas life plan community. RDG’s design includes an indoor pickleball court, a golf simulator, fitness studios, group wellness areas and infrared therapy, all designed to enhance resident engagement and quality of life.
In addition to a full-scale refresh and rebrand, designers noted that alternative housing, accessibility, sustainability, holistic well-being, flexibility and choice of amenities are trends shaping the design of senior living communities. RDG’s design for dining areas at Glenridge on Palmer Ranch in Florida is an example of this, showcasing multiple options for traditional dining as seen in open-concept kitchens and intimate seating, as well as evolving to meet the needs of convenience and variety.