At the Environments for Aging Expo & Conference session, “Planning a Vertical Life Plan Community,” speakers Frank Muraca, president, ARCH Consultants Ltd., and Shekhar Bhushan, founding and managing principal, SB Architecture PC Inc., shared two case studies of high-rise buildings for senior living and talked about how these models can meet resident needs while achieving successful results for the organization by implementing best practices.

According to Bhushan, the 1980s saw a significant increase in the idea of taking public multistory senior housing structures and converting them into private skilled nursing facilities. As years went by, continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) became a sought-after option and organizations were eager to step into the market.

Inevitably, the senior living population has evolved since the ’80s, and land and building sites have become more expensive, especially in urban centers. Additionally, more and more seniors are looking for a community where they can age in place and find all the services they need under one roof.

Bhushan discussed how vertical structures on tight urban sites can optimize their surroundings and footprint to attract seniors in search of that experience. By stacking services such as assisted and independent living and memory care in a well-organized and financially competitive way, providers may find this to be a cost-effective model while meeting resident needs.

Some of the advantages of a mid- or high-rise senior living community include:

  • lower energy consumption and cost
  • walking access to neighboring amenities such as art museums, theaters, mass transportation, and coffee shops
  • shorter walking distances in the building between resident and staff spaces
  • efficient staffing and delivery of services cost
  • .

High-rise models can also be more cost-effective for providers by optimizing resident/staff ratios, consolidating services such as a centralized commercial kitchen, and providing easy access to multiple dining venues.

Muraca said that best practices call for a focus on effective planning and execution before construction gets off the ground with clear communication that brings all parties to the table, informs the project team about the senior living programming, reviews the logistics, and keeps the residents and staff up-to-date on what’s happening.