Environments for Aging - Winter 2021 - 12

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2021 EFA Expo Review
closing keynote
INDUSTRY CHAMPION
4 STRATEGIES TO GUIDE THE
INDUSTRY FORWARD
T
T
O WRAP UP the 2021 EFA Expo, Environments for Aging Editor-in-Chief
Jennifer Kovacs Silvis moderated a discussion with
industry leaders on the path forward and why now, more than
ever, it's time for senior living to change.
The panelists included Jane Rohde, principal at JSR Associates
Inc.; Lisa Warnock, then director of housing interiors at LRS Architects;
Steve Lindsey, CEO of Garden Spot Communities; and Mike Harris, president
of Cornerstone Senior Living LLC. After briefly reflecting on the past
year, the conversation turned to the future as the panelists dove into four
topics-market, place, home, and staff-and strategies that should be embraced
post pandemic.
Starting with understanding the market and how to deliver value to it,
Lindsey noted that traditionally the industry has put residents into certain
boxes that defined what type of setting they needed and expectations for
what they'd do there. Now, with today's technology and internet-savvy
seniors, the industry needs to shift toward a " post-demographic way of
thinking. " " We can't build for old people anymore, " he said. Furthermore,
he added, people aren't brand loyal anymore, but rather look at the " newest
as the best. " The takeaway, he said: " We constantly need to refresh. "
Additionally, the speakers discussed how the industry needs to address
underserved markets-specifically the middle market-which will require
different strategies that are affordable and flexible. One idea suggested by
Rohde and Warnock was clustering affordable housing units near existing
amenities as a way to provide access to services without relying on
the operator or organization to provide the space or labor for everything.
" Anything's on the table, but it's something we need to think creatively
on, " Rohde said.
On staffing, the speakers noted that while burnout was already an issue
in the industry-and further exacerbated by the pandemic-it's more
important than ever to deliver spaces where employees can relax or take a
break. " You can show your staff how much you care for them by supporting
their health, " Warnock said. -AD
HE CHANGEMAKER KEYNOTE kicked off the second day of the
2021 EFA Expo, with Debra Levin, president and CEO of The Center
for Health Design, presenting the annual honor to Patricia Moore, an
internationally renowned gerontologist and designer. During a Q+A discussion,
Moore, who is known as the " mother of universal design, " shared
personal stories from her career and what continues to inspire her work.
AWARDS
B
12 | winter 2021
EING IN PERSON wasn't the only
reason to celebrate at the 2021 EFA
Expo. Environments for Aging
also celebrated the winners of its annual
Design Showcase (above and right),
Remodel/Renovation Competition, and
Design Champions programs during an
awards luncheon. Representatives from
the winning project teams as well as
the Design Champions were invited on
stage to accept their awards and share a
fist bump with Editor-in-Chief Jennifer
Kovacs Silvis.
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Environments for Aging - Winter 2021

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