LeadingAge Florida Raises The Bar
The last two years have monumentally shifted many things, especially in the Senior Housing industry! That’s why we’re glad we attended the 59th LeadingAge Florida Convention and Exposition in Orlando, FL. We heard from great speakers, learned about new concepts, visited exhibitors, and networked with our peers. The conference took place at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek from July 19 – 22, 2022. Our Managing Principal, Kimberly Hellekson, attended the event and came back with some key takeaways:
Headlining the conference was keynote speaker Ryan Frederick, Founder and CEO of Smartliving360. Ryan drew upon his research to unpack the accelerating nature of change and its key implications for senior housing and long-term care. He outlined how we must work together to increase longevity and provide housing that directly impacts health. Communities must elevate purpose, social connection, and physical and financial well-being. Unfortunately, inadequate housing design for seniors can lead to emergency room visits and hospitalizations, costing billions of dollars annually. He shared real-world examples of this.
The industry continues to undergo a significant transformation, and technology is critical in increasing access to care, lowering costs, offsetting staffing shortages, and improving the overall quality of life. A significant focus remains on security, monitoring, and AI.
Seniors experience loneliness at a higher rate than any other age group. While technological advancements allow seniors to connect with friends and loved ones, the physical connection and real-life interactions are missed. Combined with the physical isolation of the pandemic, loneliness has increased amongst this population. Designing spaces within senior housing communities that encourage interactions and enhance the social experience of residents is key to a successful project.
We must recognize that wellness is individualized – it means different things to different people. Financial wellness may mean that seniors can afford more but choose the no-frills community that still provides a safe, comfortable place to call home. Physical wellness may mean choosing a community that offers residents a safe walking trail, low-impact activities, or on-site classes. Getting to know your residents and listening to what wellness means for them is critical.
“LeadingAge Florida is a fantastic conference that promotes cutting-edge technology and sparks ideas to serve the senior living sector better,” said Kimberly. “The latest business practices, concepts, and products are on display. Combined with networking, LeadingAge Florida is integral for growth and innovation in our industry. This conference pushes the envelope every year and continues to help us develop new ideas and provide our clients and partners with solutions in senior living design and management.”
Since 1963, LeadingAge Florida has been committed to helping members achieve their goals by establishing an expansive regulatory, educational, and networking body, providing businesses and employers with tools to obtain additional information, legislative change, and growth opportunities.
Keep an eye on LeadingAge Florida for next year’s milestone 60th Annual Conference registration information.