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Current Trends in Senior Living

Current Trends in Senior Living

There has been a change in how we think about senior living over the past 10 years. The aging baby boomer generation is influencing this change. It’s predicted that in the next several years there will be more people over 65 than children. As the baby boomers age, more and more are looking to make the move to a senior living community. This group of people is more active than in past generations and holds greater expectations of their living experience.  Because they are planning ahead, the process of selecting their retirement community is more well thought out and thorough. Research has shown that up to 5 communities will be visited before making the final decision. Their new home must check all the boxes. Updated furniture and finishes can ensure a good first impression is made and boost the marketability of any community, whether it’s a new construction or an established facility.

The following should be considered when designing a senior living community:  

  • Finishes should look like home, incorporating residential-type finishes with senior living durability. Vibrant, fresh, approachable spaces that bring people together and foster a sense of community. 
  • Flexible gathering areas that draw residents from their rooms and can accommodate larger groups when necessary. Spots for crafts, games, and other activities that promote socialization are amenities today’s seniors are looking for. A sense of community ranks highly with today’s seniors. Chairs that can stack and tables for crafts and puzzles that fold for storage enhance the flexibility and function.  
  • Connection to the outdoors. Natural light, plants, and large-scale artwork that depicts views of nature foster that important connection with nature for residents who aren’t able to get out as easily. 
  • Wellness-focused spaces promoting engagement and activity.   
  • The formal dining room is being revamped to add flexibility, better serving the needs of the residents. A more modern dining space provides a place to gather with friends for a cup of coffee or a casual chat. This area has become the social hub, and those social connections are crucial to maintaining cognitive function and overall well-being.  
  • Staff attraction and retention is an important consideration as well. Providing a comfortable place for staff to work, and as a recharge, should be planned for. 

Have a project in mind? We would love to hear about it! r.o.i. Design provides full-service design and FF&E services. We have access to numerous resources that can provide beautiful and functional furnishings for all budgets. Additionally, we will consult with you on space planning and allocation to meet the changing needs of today’s senior living residents. We will also help balance input from ownership, management, and staff when designing the space and furnishings.

Contact us to discuss ways we can help.  

Offering Contract Furniture Solutions 

Offering Contract Furniture Solutions 

r.o.i. Design makes most of its revenue from selling time through managed agreements. Did you know we also sell custom furnishings for waiting areas, lobbies, breakrooms, and more? We do this competitively by utilizing a group of manufacturers who offer us wholesale pricing.

Most of our vendors allow us to create custom furniture for our clients. They offer standard frames and styles, and we select the fabrics and finishes to suit your space.

We are pleased to work with several American and Michigan-based manufacturers. 

The furnishings we offer include:  

  • Upholstered Seating  
  • Occasional Tables  
  • Break Room and Meeting Room Seating & Tables 
  • Med Team Desk – Customizable Teaming Workstation with Power & Data 
  • Solar Shade Window Coverings  
  • Custom Wall Art 
  • Signage and Wayfinding 
  • Lamps, Rugs, and Accessories  

Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge images.

Forest Glen Apartments

Forest Glen Apartments

This four-year project in Chantilly, Virginia was a partnership with Hooker DeJong Architects and Engineers and Eagle Point Companies. Forest Glen was completed in the spring of 2021. Six years ago, we had designed this property as a remodel, but a fire destroyed the original building, and the project needed to be rebuilt. 

Keeping with much of the original concept, r.o.i. Design was able to enhance many aspects of the communal areas to include more wood, stone, and some decorative acrylic panels. Wallcovering in the corridor, while helping with maintenance, also helps create a more resort-like feel. In general, the new building offers many amenities to tenants that the original building could not. 

Eagle Point engaged us to also provide public area furnishings. We selected furniture, customized finishes, purchased the products, and then managed delivery and installation. We also provided custom artwork that was reflective of the area. Located close to Washington D.C. and many historical sites in Virginia, we used images of historic buildings, national landmarks, and regional nature to help give Forest Glen its sense of place. 

Thank you to Jason Barnes of Eagle Point for the opportunity to help rebuild Forest Glen. 

© All Photos Courtesy of Eagle Point Companies.

Shoreside at The Homestead Resort

Shoreside at The Homestead Resort

The Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor, Michigan has been a client of r.o.i. Design for many years, and we are always pleased to be able to work with that team on their development projects.

Before and through COVID, we worked with James Kuras of The Homestead to develop the finishes for Phase 2 of Shoreside, an 8th share, four condominium project on their Lake Michigan beach. While the footprint and layout of the project were identical to Phase 1, The Homestead decided to make some changes to the interior finishes and furnishings.

There is no escaping the lake view at every window, so the interior reflects The Homestead’s tradition of lakefront, cottage, beachside design. Most of the main floor has white shiplap siding grounded by warm wood floors and accented with blue kitchen cabinetry. Lighting, hardware, and plumbing used a combination of brass and black, which feels very authentic in the space. Bathrooms are simple but elegant in a beach sort of way.

We also were engaged to shop for furnishings, and with the help of Pottery Barn Contract and a few of our own proprietary upholstery companies, put together a package that fits their budget. This project was sold out and condo owners wanted to spend summer 2021 at the lake, so the challenges of COVID in building and procurement were “just in time” to get families into their vacation homes for the summer.

The Homestead selected regional art and décor for the place that added that “Michigan touch.” The outcome is spectacular, and the effort was the same. Congratulations to James Kuras and The Homestead Resort.

Click on the thumbnails below to view larger images. 

Darley Village Active Senior Living 

Darley Village Active Senior Living 

Returning customer Denis Johnson, of Johnson Newhof & Associates, reached out to r.o.i. Design for support with the final phase of design of their multifamily project, Darley Village, a full-service senior living community in Muskegon, adjacent to Chestnut Hills Retirement Community.  

Denis was looking for a fresh eye on finishes and assistance procuring common area furnishings.  

The call came in March 2020, at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, so we carefully engaged to review finishes and furniture. We ended up with a neutral palette that is warm and respectful of being close to Lake Michigan. We spiced it up with flooring options that create more of a high-end hospitality look without the cost. 

Click on thumbnails below to view larger images.

Sneak Peek: Darley Village and the Midwest Miniatures Museum

Sneak Peek: Darley Village and the Midwest Miniatures Museum

At this moment, r.o.i. Design has many projects that are in process. Here are two we would like to share with our fans. These are good examples of our diverse talents and experience.

Darley Village

Darley Village is an active senior complex with new apartments being built in Muskegon, Michigan. Our main contact, Denis Johnson of JNA Group, has been a longtime associate of r.o.i. Design. We have collaborated on both hospitality and public space designs. Denis is a partner in, and the project lead for, this development.

This project pushes the finishes beyond the competitive offering and hints at a level of sophistication and “fun”, making it attractive to the discerning tenant.

Midwest Miniatures Museum

Midwest Miniatures Museum has made a bold move to purchase the historical Robbins House in Grand Haven, moving from their previous location in Hickory Corners, Michigan. r.o.i. Design has been engaged in the exhibit and related environmental design.

The project is a perfect fit between content and venue, and we are so excited to be on this team. Thank you to our friend and museum consultant, Timothy Chester, who referred us to the Midwest Miniatures Museum.

The Robbins House was built in 1899. Except for a brief time as a law office, the structure has been in continuous use as a private residence. This unique home is on the National Register of Historic Places and those familiar with the building are excited to see its new life as a museum. This conversion from home to the museum will take place in three phases; initially, the museum will re-open with first floor exhibits and a gift shop.