Is Bigger Senior Housing Better Senior Housing?
Over the course of 20 years in senior housing operations and development I have watched the typical senior housing apartment design grow from an average 480 sq. ft. unit to more than 1,600 sq. ft. and some as large as 2,500 sq. ft. Do our customers really need that much space? Some would argue that we are simply giving our customers what they demand. In fact, our recent pre-sales/pre-leasing experience shows that the larger units generally sell or lease quicker than the smaller ones. On the other hand are we only continuing to promote the notion that bigger is better; encouraging residents and families to hang on to those belongings that collect dust and never get used. Is a formal living room and dining room really necessary? Is the third bedroom a critical amenity for a single family older adult household that may use it as a guest room “someday”. You be the judge. Sarah Susanka, author of the book the Not so Big House has a different take on design.
Given these tight economic time including the cost of construction, schedule, cost of money, doesn’t it make sense to design the best space for the money while still meeting our customers needs?
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