When it comes to housing markets, it’s essentially a numbers game. And when it comes to the senior living market, it’s clear that this is one of the most dynamic growth opportunities in real estate today. One analysis of the most recent Census data found that the population of Americans 65 and older is likely to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050, leading to a rise from 17 to 23 percent of this age group’s share of the total U.S. population.

This shift signals a powerful demographic wave—one that’s redefining what “home” and “community” mean for aging Americans.

As the population ages, the concept of “aging in place” has gained significant attention. For many seniors, the ability to remain in a familiar environment while receiving necessary care and support is increasingly a priority. Life plan communities, often referred to as continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), provide an ideal setting for aging in place.

Despite the growing market opportunities for developers in this sector, developing CCRCs is a complicated process that can seem daunting. Developing successful senior living communities requires a balance of innovation, empathy, and forward-thinking design. A true multi-disciplinary approach is imperative to creating environments that nurture independence, foster well-being, and meet the needs of today’s senior population. That’s where partnering with an experienced architectural team with a deep understanding of senior living comes into play, enabling developers to transform these complexities into opportunities.

Eileen Nacht, AIA, LEED AP, EDAC, Senior Living Director, RDL Architects

Benefits of Aging in Place in a Life Plan Community

For today’s seniors, the concept of aging is not a one-size-fits-all experience. Many seniors in their mid-60s envision an independent lifestyle in a setting that feels like an extension of their previous home. In a life plan community, this concept extends beyond individual homes to encompass an entire community designed to support seniors through various stages of life, providing access to care and services as needs evolve.

Studies have shown that aging in a supportive community setting can improve mental health and reduce overall healthcare costs. For instance, research indicates that social engagement helps lower the risk of dementia and related cognitive challenges. By combining healthcare access and social activities, life plan communities effectively reduce the isolation often faced by seniors and create environments where holistic health thrives.

A thoughtful community design anticipates these diverse needs, evolving with residents as they move from fully independent living to more supportive care environments over time. To help with this transition and to provide residents with independence, the following factors should be prioritized:

• Purpose-driven environments: The foundation of a successful senior community lies in purposeful site design. A well-planned community maximizes land use while creating a cohesive neighborhood feel, where shared outdoor spaces, access to wellness amenities, and a range of dining options that encourage resident interaction. senior communities should be thoughtfully designed to maximize land use, enhance social interaction, and create a cohesive neighborhood feel
• Comprehensive services: Access to various services—social, fitness, wellness, and entertainment—becomes increasingly essential as residents age. The goal is to empower residents by designing spaces that offer engagement and accessibility integrated into their daily lives, which is crucial for empowering residents and enriching their daily lives
• Adaptive design features: Beyond simply meeting accessibility codes, senior living spaces should go above and beyond, facilitating aging in place with a universal design approach. Elements like wider doors with lever handles, accessible countertops, grab bars in showers, and zero-threshold entries ensure that residents can navigate their environment with comfort, safety, and dignity. Environments must facilitate aging in place with thoughtful design elements that ensure comfort and safety

This is where a partner with multi-disciplinary capabilities is essential. At RDL, we work across our studios to integrate multiple building types into a community in a cohesive fashion. We also understand that it’s not just about the buildings, rather it’s also about factoring in how professional services, staff, and visitors will use the space, implementing zero threshold exteriors, and designing fully accessible environments with effective wayfinding.

Creating Homes, Not Just Housing

RDL Architects’ Senior Living Studio champions a design philosophy that ensures residents retain independence at every stage. Our approach considers not only the physical environment but also how the design shapes the resident experience, creating spaces that enrich lives, promote well-being, and nurture meaningful connections.

The Laurel Lake Retirement Community is a Life Plan Community located in Hudson, OH. Laurel Lake engaged RDL to reimagine and expand its offerings to remain competitive. The community needed to add independent living services as well as add new villas to meet the expectations of today’s seniors. We designed spaces for expanded educational programming, social opportunities, and an elevated dining experience. A key addition, the Center for Healthy Living, fosters holistic wellness, providing residents with opportunities to enrich both body and mind.

OMNI Vitalia of Solon, OH is another example of a multi-disciplinary approach by RDL to create a vibrant community that blends contemporary design with senior-friendly functionality. This project responded to demand for spacial and upscale units through the addition of 30 new apartments across four stories, most of which are two bedrooms with nine foot high ceilings, in suite washers and dryers, and large walk-in closets. This addition seamlessly connects with the existing building on the first floor, which features one to three bedroom apartments.

Let’s Redefine Senior Living Together

Contact us to start a conversation on how we can help you build a community that stands out in this high-growth sector.