How longevity is changing the future of senior housing
With people living longer and healthier lives, the provision of senior housing needs to adapt to the needs of future elderly populations. Sylwia Ziemacka reports.
There’s a shift underway from an ageing society to a longevity society, where people can live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives. That was the key takeaway from the Investing in Longevity: The Future of Senior Housing webinar, organised by the Senior Housing and Healthcare Association and the UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing.
The focus has shifted from increasing life expectancy to enhancing healthy life expectancy, said Nicola Palmarini, director of the National Innovation Centre for Ageing. “It is not just about living longer, it’s about living healthier and more fulfilling lives,” he said.
We are witnessing profound demographic shifts: by 2050 there will be two billion elderly people in the world. By then, 31 countries will have the same percentage of people over the age of 65 as Japan today, which is 30% of the total population. The list includes Germany, Spain, Austria, Italy, Poland and China.
Palmarini highlighted the increasing influence of China in longevity innovation, noting that the country is poised to have nearly half a billion people over 60 by 2050. “We must keep an eye on what’s happening in China, as it’s setting trends that will impact global longevity solutions,” he said.
No standard ageing process
Across the world, people are growing older in better health, but there is no standard ageing process and no single recipe to lead a longer life, he added. “There are a lot of preconceptions and ageist narratives. A new perspective is needed, because we have to stop thinking about them and realise that we are talking about us, as we are all ageing.”
The new perspective is changing the way people choose to live their later lives, and the way operators and investors are thinking about senior housing. “Goodbye retirement communities, hello longevity zones,” said Palmarini. “We need to create cities and places that help us live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.”
The longevity economy, investing in innovation for our own future, is projected to grow from $45 trillion in 2020 to $65 trillion in 2030 and $118 trillion by 2050.
This shift in people’s expectations about where and how they want to live is reshaping the senior housing sector and, more widely, changing society. “People aren’t just looking for a place to live; they’re looking for a community where they feel supported and engaged,” said Mark Whitcroft, CEO and co-founder of fintech company PlannerPal.
‘We must keep an eye on what’s happening in China, as it’s setting trends that will impact global longevity solutions.’
Nicola Palmarini, National Innovation Centre for Ageing
There are always complexities around decisions to move house, as many older adults delay moving due to emotional attachments and the logistical challenges
of relocating.
Housing models must adapt to evolving lifestyles and changing demands. “We need to move beyond traditional designs and create environments that foster engagement, wellbeing, and autonomy,” said Francesco Cocco, a Spain-based architect specialising in Design for All and social housing.
The role of AI
Hanh Brown, founder and CEO of AI50.ai – a provider of AI-driven solutions for the 50+ generation – highlighted how AI is revolutionising senior living. “AI-driven solutions can transform care delivery by automating routine tasks and providing actionable insights, giving caregivers more time to focus on what truly matters – human connection,” she said. “Tech must be used to enhance that human connection, but it can never replace it.”
Brown highlighted emerging AI applications such as personalised health monitoring and smart home integration. “AI must serve people, not the other way around,” she emphasised, adding that trust and education are critical for widespread adoption. She pointed to recent innovations shown at consumer electronic shows, which show how AI solutions are now capable of understanding human behaviour and adapting environments accordingly.
“AI is different because it can anticipate needs before they arise and it can learn each resident’s specific needs,” she said. “It’s like having an attentive concierge who knows your daily routine and anticipates your every need.”
‘AI-driven solutions can transform care delivery by automating routine tasks and providing actionable insights, giving caregivers more time to focus on what truly matters – human connection.’
Hanh Brown, AI50.ai
An AI-enabled senior living ecosystem can transform care and improve quality of life, for example through 24/7 monitoring, health tracking and predictive analytics.
There are four drivers to this transformation process, Brown said. “Independence is the foundation, community is the bedrock, technology is the enabler and dignity is the guiding star.”
The panellists agreed that the narrative needs to evolve into a longevity-driven perspective, where ageing is viewed as an ongoing process rather than a phase of decline. “We are moving from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more customised market where people have diverse needs and expectations,” said Ron van Bloois, chair of the SHHA and founder and CEO of Multiple Impact.
Van Bloois stressed the importance of developing a variety of housing models – from co-living spaces to intergenerational communities – to accommodate different lifestyles and economic situations. “Longevity is not just a healthcare issue, it’s a societal one that affects every industry, from finance to urban planning,” he said.
A key discussion point was the collaboration between the public and private sectors in addressing longevity challenges. While governments play a critical role in policymaking and funding, private enterprises bring innovation and scalability. “Governments alone cannot bear the financial burden of ageing populations,” said Whitcroft. “We need strategic partnerships that leverage both public and private resources.”
Barcelona’s housing model
Barcelona has pioneered a social housing model, which integrates housing with public spaces, services like libraries and health centres and amenities, which has seen very high satisfaction rates among residents. It started 20 years ago, Cocco said, and is a rare example of the public sector being far ahead of the private sector and serving as an inspiration for private developers across Europe. “Collaboration is essential to create sustainable and inclusive solutions for the future,” he said.
The webinar concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders in the senior and real estate sectors. Palmarini emphasised that the future of ageing is not a distant concern, but an immediate opportunity. “We must rethink our approach to ageing today to build better, more inclusive communities for tomorrow,” he urged. “Let’s remember that society is about co-dependence. What we aim for is autonomous individuals living in an interdependent society.”
The experts stressed the need for continuous innovation, investment in technology, and a holistic approach to longevity that considers social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. As Brown summarised: “We are not just designing spaces, we are designing experiences that enrich lives.”
