Author: Varsity Team

Living longer is one thing. Staying healthy enough to enjoy those extra years is another. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Dr. Joan Salge Blake, a registered dietitian, Boston University nutrition professor and nationally recognized expert on nutrition and wellness, to explore how what we eat can influence our health and quality of life as we age.

In their conversation, Derek and Dr. Blake discuss how nutritional needs change with age, why frozen and canned foods deserve more credit and how to separate sound nutrition advice from the latest food fads. They also explore the Mediterranean approach to healthy living and why enjoying meals with others may be just as important as what’s on the plate.

Check out the full episode here. 

HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DOES WHAT WE EAT HAVE ON OUR HEALTHSPAN, NOT JUST OUR LIFESPAN?

We’re lucky with medicine that we can be kept alive for a long time, and that’s wonderful. But you want to be healthy for a long time. That’s where good diet and nutrition throughout your life can help you do that. The projected lifespan now is around 79, and back in the 1970s, it was only around 70. So we just got a decade going on here, and that’s great. A lot of that is because of good medicine, good nutrition and good lifestyle.

IF SOMEONE REACHES THEIR 60S OR 70S AND HASN’T ALWAYS EATEN WELL, CAN THEY STILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

A lot. Go for it! It’s never too late to start eating more healthfully. As you get older, things change in your body. Your metabolism slows down. What you could eat at 30, you can’t eat at 40. What you could eat at 40, you can’t eat at 60. Mother Nature is just not nice! So you have to be very savvy to make sure you’re getting enough good nutrition into your life and maybe change it. Changing at 60 or 70 is a really, really good thing. It’s never too late to make that plate more healthy.

DO OUR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS CHANGE AS WE GET OLDER?

Because your metabolism is slowing down, you don’t need as many calories as you did when you were 20 or 30. So you’ve got to make sure every calorie counts. There’s not a lot of room in the diet for sweets and treats because I’ve got to get these fruits and vegetables, grains, vitamins, minerals and fiber in there. I have to make each bite count. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t have sweets, but small amounts. In addition to your calorie needs being reduced, some of your nutrient needs go up as you age. Your calcium needs go up, your vitamin D needs go up. So your diet really needs to be balanced based on your age, medical history and lifestyle.

HOW CAN SHARING MEALS WITH OTHERS CONTRIBUTE TO HEALTHY AGING AND LONGEVITY?

Being with other people, talking, going out and most importantly, dining with other people is so important. That connection with other people is a really important part of longevity. Let’s go back to Italy and the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle. There’s a community of family and neighbors, and that helps with longevity. Make the dates. Set up dates. On Thursday, you eat with somebody. On Friday, you eat with somebody else. Get that calendar filled so you’re around people. You’re going to find that it’s so supportive. It helps lower your stress and helps you feel happier, which is great for longevity.

The following is a recap from Varsity’s Roundtable, a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

Ageism often shows up in ways we don’t even recognize, from everyday language to the images and messages used to portray older adults. Challenging those stereotypes starts with rethinking our own assumptions about aging and embracing a more realistic, inclusive picture of growing older.

Ashton Applewhite, activist, internationally recognized ageism expert, and author of the book This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable to explore how ageism shapes our attitudes, influences health and well-being and affects the way senior living communities communicate with older adults. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.

AGEISM OFTEN HIDES IN EVERYDAY LANGUAGE

Phrases like “senior moment” or “I don’t feel old” can reinforce negative assumptions about aging. Recognizing ageism starts with questioning the stereotypes and judgments behind our words.

SENIOR LIVING MARKETING NEEDS A MORE AUTHENTIC PICTURE OF AGING

Images of healthy, active older adults can challenge stereotypes, but showing only physically fit residents creates unrealistic expectations. Communities should represent the full diversity of aging, including people who use mobility aids.

HIDING THE REALITIES OF AGING CAN MAKE FEARS WORSE

Avoiding conversations about disability, dementia and loss can reinforce the fears senior living organizations hope to overcome. Acknowledging these realities while celebrating the opportunities of later life creates a more balanced picture of aging.

OUR BELIEFS ABOUT AGING CAN AFFECT OUR HEALTH

Research suggests that people with more accurate, less fear-based attitudes toward aging experience better health outcomes, greater resilience and increased longevity. Negative stereotypes can discourage people from seeking treatment or adopting healthy behaviors.

CHALLENGING AGEISM STARTS WITH OUR OWN ATTITUDES

Recognizing our own biases, building meaningful relationships across generations and approaching ageist comments with curiosity rather than confrontation can help break down stereotypes and change how we think about growing older.

VARSITY’S FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Senior living marketing has spent years challenging negative perceptions of aging by showcasing active, independent older adults. But in trying to make aging look more appealing, have we created a new set of stereotypes?

The opportunity for sales and marketing teams is to tell a more complete and authentic story. That means celebrating the freedom, connection and possibilities of later life without hiding the realities that come with it. Prospects don’t need a picture of perfect aging. They need to see a community where they can continue living a meaningful, fulfilling life, whatever aging looks like for them.

Ageism is one of the few prejudices we direct at our own future selves, yet its influence on how we think about growing older often goes unnoticed. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Ashton Applewhite, an internationally recognized ageism expert, activist and author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism, to challenge the myths and stereotypes surrounding aging.

In their conversation, Derek and Ashton explore how everyday language reinforces ageist assumptions, why our attitudes toward aging can influence our health and well-being, and how the idea of “successful aging” can do more harm than good.  

Check out the full episode here. 

WHAT IS AGEISM AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE IT?

The dictionary definition is discrimination and prejudice on the basis of age. We are being ageist, and we are all ageist all the time. Me too. 

Anytime we make an assumption about someone or a group of people on the basis of how old we think they are. A friend of yours is dating someone new. I’m wondering, how old is that person? Why do we want to know? And what assumptions about that person or the relationship will click into place once we have a number? Ageism starts between our ears. You have to find it there before you can see it anywhere else.

WHAT ARE SOME EVERYDAY WORDS OR PHRASES THAT REINFORCE NEGATIVE IDEAS ABOUT AGING?

Anytime we use youth-oriented language like “young at heart,” what does that mean? Energetic, enthusiastic or spirited? You can be all those things at any age. Think about how you use the words old and young. Anytime you ascribe a value, positive or negative, you’re reinforcing an assumption. 

When someone says, “I don’t feel old,” does that mean incompetent, sad or useless? We live in a very youth-oriented culture. We tend to equate young with better things and old with negatives. Try to notice that and break the habit. Describe the actual way you feel rather than saying young or old.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST PERSISTENT MYTHS ABOUT GROWING OLDER?

The mother of them all is the assumption that all members of a group are alike, which is clearly ridiculous. It’s especially ridiculous when it comes to age. How could millions of people born roughly around the same time be all alike? The biggest myth is that old people are alike, that at a certain point you cross over this imaginary velvet rope and you’re old and invisible and useless and sad. The fact is that as we age, we grow more different from one another. Diversity increases with age because we age at different rates cognitively, socially and developmentally.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT USING AI AND TECHNOLOGY TO ADDRESS SOCIAL ISOLATION AMONG OLDER ADULTS?

I think AI has enormous potential, but AI is based on computer code, and computer code is written or vetted by humans. If the people who write the code are biased, that bias gets perpetuated. We need to make sure bias isn’t embedded in it. I’m suspicious of blanket techno-optimism, the idea that technology created a problem and we’ll throw more technology at it. As for robots and things that are keeping older people company, I’m all for it. But I don’t think it’s a substitute for human touch and human companionship. We don’t want a world where human contact becomes a luxury available only to the very rich.

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC THAT ATTITUDES TOWARD AGEISM ARE ACTUALLY CHANGING?

Yes, I am indeed. When I started out, I had to explain what ageism was all the time. Now most people know what the word means. That may seem like a small thing, but all change begins with awareness. Bias is unconscious for the most part, and you can’t challenge bias unless you’re aware of it. There’s now an International Ageism Awareness Day on October 9, and the Old School hub that I co-founded in 2018 has grown tremendously. Take a look at the resources there and you’ll see how raising awareness of ageism has become a global imperative.

The following is a recap from Varsity’s Roundtable, a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in senior living, but the latest innovations aren’t always the most valuable. As resident expectations evolve, communities need technology that’s reliable, easy to use and designed to make everyday life better for residents and staff.

Jonathan Jedeikin, Chief Information and Privacy Officer at The Kendal Corporation, joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable to explore the technology trends shaping the future of senior living. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from his discussion.

THE BEST TECHNOLOGY FADES INTO THE BACKGROUND

Technology should quietly support residents and staff without demanding constant attention. Whether it’s Wi-Fi, smart-home devices, sensors or robotics, the goal is for technology to work reliably and seamlessly so people can focus on living, working and providing care.

START WITH THE NEED, NOT THE SHINY NEW TOOL

Senior living can waste significant money on technology purchased without enough strategy or input from the people who will use it. Before investing, communities should understand the problem they’re solving and involve residents, staff and stakeholders in the decision.

LISTENING SHOULD DRIVE TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY

Residents may not know which platform or product they want, but they know what they want technology to help them accomplish. Listening to residents and staff can uncover pain points and opportunities that lead to smarter investments and better experiences.

THE NEXT GENERATION WILL HAVE LITTLE PATIENCE FOR BAD TECHNOLOGY

Future residents will expect multiple devices and systems to work together reliably, securely and almost invisibly. Technology that is difficult to use, frequently fails or requires constant troubleshooting will increasingly fall short of expectations.

AI SHOULD AMPLIFY PEOPLE, NOT REPLACE THEM

There’s significant potential for AI when it strengthens the skills people already bring to senior living. The opportunity is to use AI thoughtfully to help staff do their jobs better while preserving the human relationships at the heart of the resident experience.

VARSITY’S FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Technology is quickly becoming part of the senior living value proposition, but the newest technology won’t necessarily be the most compelling. Residents and prospects will increasingly expect technology to simply work, making reliability, ease of use and integration more important than novelty. 

Sales and marketing teams can help shape those investments by listening for the everyday frustrations residents and prospects want solved and bringing those insights into technology decisions before the next shiny tool gets added to the sales tour.

The following is a recap from Varsity’s Roundtable, a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

Baby Boomers are bringing new expectations to senior living, and the traditional Life Plan Community model may need to evolve to keep pace. Greater independence, personalized services and financial flexibility are challenging long-standing assumptions about what communities should offer.

Howard Smith, board member for The Kendal Corporation, joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable to discuss how communities can adapt to this changing generation. From rethinking levels of care and wellness to reconsidering entrance fees and wait lists, Howard explored what it will take to meet Boomers’ expectations. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from his discussion.

BOOMERS ARE GOING TO EXPECT MORE CHOICE

The traditional CCRC model was built for a generation more comfortable with standardized offerings and established rules. Boomers are more likely to expect flexibility, customization, autonomy and a clear rationale for how communities operate.

CARE NEEDS TO COME TO THE RESIDENT

Moving residents through separate levels of care may become increasingly difficult to sustain. Technology, home-based services and new approaches to care can allow communities to bring more support into independent living rather than requiring residents to move as their needs change.

WELLNESS NEEDS TO BE MORE THAN AN AMENITY

A fitness center and a calendar of programs aren’t enough. A Boomer-ready model could include assessments, personalized wellness plans, coaching and data that help residents actively improve their physical, cognitive and social well-being.

THE ENTRANCE-FEE MODEL MAY FACE MORE RESISTANCE

More Boomers are carrying mortgages, relying on invested assets for retirement income and prioritizing liquidity. That could make tying up a significant amount of money in an entrance fee less appealing and create opportunities for rental and CCRC-at-home alternatives.

TODAY’S WAIT LISTS CAN CREATE A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY

A long wait list doesn’t necessarily mean everyone on it is ready to move. Strong occupancy today can also mask a bigger challenge ahead if communities aren’t evolving to meet changing Boomer expectations and new competition.

VARSITY’S FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Boomers aren’t just changing who senior living is marketing to. They’re changing what communities need to sell. Choice, flexibility and autonomy will increasingly matter as much as amenities and peace of mind. Sales and marketing teams should be looking beyond today’s occupancy and wait lists to understand whether their product actually matches what the next generation wants, then help shape the experience before the market forces the issue. 

AI has the potential to do more than make life easier. It can help older adults stay connected, engaged and independent. In this episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sits down with Assaf Gad, VP of Strategy and General Manager at Intuition Robotics, the company behind ElliQ, an AI-powered companion designed specifically for older adults.

In their conversation, Derek and Assaf explore how ElliQ builds relationships without replacing human connection, why trust and privacy are critical when designing AI for older adults and what real users have taught the company about emotional attachment to technology. Derek also puts the technology to the test, talking directly with ElliQ about loneliness, mindfulness, love and even her sense of humor.

Check out the full episode here. 

WHAT IS ELLIQ AND WHAT ROLE IS SHE DESIGNED TO PLAY IN SOMEONE’S DAILY LIFE?

ElliQ is a friendly robot. She’s actually a companion. Her first goal is to become the best sidekick or buddy of an older adult, and then she’ll try to find how she can be helpful. The main mission that we serve is independence. Everyone wants to stay independent as they age, and she’s a great tool to help with that. She also has a bunch of technologies and features. The same things that younger audiences can do with their smartphones, older adults can do with ElliQ.

WHAT PROBLEM WERE YOU TRYING TO SOLVE WHEN YOU DEVELOPED AN AI COMPANION LIKE ELLIQ?

When we started this venture, the main problem we tried to target was loneliness. Technology can be a huge help for people to stay connected with other people. Sometimes people think about technology, and specifically AI, as a replacement for other humans. That’s definitely not our intention. We wanted to build a very unique experience that’s easy to use and super simple, helping people stay connected with each other. Once we entered the homes of older adults, we realized that when they accepted ElliQ as their companion, their expectations were much higher. They wanted more than just a communication tool.

HOW DOES ELLIQ SUPPORT AGING IN PLACE IN WAYS THAT TRADITIONAL CARE MODELS DON’T?

You can think of her as a caregiver, not a professional caregiver, but more like a companion who’s there 24/7 with the older adult, learning about their habits and helping them connect with other people. When they’re by themselves, she can be this presence that entertains them, encourages them to stay more active, stay sharp and improve their health and wellness over time. We also have a caregiver app and a web interface for professional care teams. They can configure how she behaves with an individual and receive notifications about what’s going on in the home.

HAVE YOU SEEN USERS FORM REAL EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENTS TO ELLIQ?

We’re living on this fine line between leveraging emotional bonding and not wanting to create dependency. We get a lot of responses from people who leave for a few days to visit family or need to be hospitalized, and they tell us they miss her. We had one woman in our beta program who compared ElliQ to her late sister because the way ElliQ took care of her reminded her of how her sister cared for her when she was young. When we needed to replace her device, she wouldn’t allow it. She wanted us to fix that specific unit.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO DESIGN TECHNOLOGY SPECIFICALLY FOR OLDER ADULTS RATHER THAN ADAPTING EXISTING TECHNOLOGY?

I think that’s one of our advantages. We didn’t try to build something and then adjust it or take technology and force it on this audience. We built technology while understanding the needs of the demographic we serve, and we did it together with them. ElliQ was designed with hundreds of older adults who were part of our research and beta groups. It’s funny because when we talk about innovation, AI and robotics, the first thing we have in mind is definitely not our grandma. And suddenly, some of the first people living with AI are people in their 80s and 90s.

The following is a recap from Varsity’s Roundtable, a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

Fair housing rules continue to evolve, and for senior living providers, keeping up with those changes is about more than compliance. From assistance animals and ASL interpreters to the language and imagery used in marketing, a single interaction with a prospect or resident can raise questions about what constitutes a reasonable accommodation and how communities should respond.

Leslie Tucker, Assistant Vice President of The Fair Housing Institute, joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable to break down some of the latest fair housing issues affecting senior living. She discussed HUD’s changing approach to emotional support animals, how communities should handle accommodation requests, what frontline employees need to know and where marketing can create potential fair housing concerns. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.

HUD IS RETHINKING THE RULES FOR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS

HUD is considering a new standard that would recognize animals specifically trained to assist with a disability, potentially eliminating federal reasonable accommodation protections for untrained emotional support animals.

THE ESA CHANGE ISN’T A DONE DEAL

A new regulation has not yet been issued, and important questions remain around training and verification. State laws, Section 504 requirements and years of court precedent could also affect how any new federal standard is applied.

ASSISTANCE ANIMALS GET MORE COMPLICATED AT HIGHER LEVELS OF CARE

Residents are responsible for caring for their assistance animals or arranging for their care. Communities aren’t responsible for feeding, walking or otherwise caring for an animal when a resident can no longer do so.

DON’T SHUT DOWN AN ACCOMMODATION REQUEST

Whether it’s a request for an ASL interpreter or another accommodation, staff shouldn’t simply say no. Explore reasonable alternatives and, when necessary, refer the request to someone who knows how to handle it.

FAIR HOUSING COMPLIANCE STARTS WITH THE FRONT LINE

Testing is still happening, and one incorrect response can trigger a complaint. Anyone who interacts with prospects, including employees answering the phone, should know how to recognize an accommodation request and where to direct it.

MARKETING SHOULD SIGNAL THAT EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Photography should reflect diversity, while messaging should avoid suggesting preferences based on protected characteristics. Religiously affiliated communities should be especially careful with language that could make people of other faiths feel they aren’t welcome.

VARSITY’S FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Fair housing compliance isn’t just a legal or operational responsibility. It’s part of the prospect experience. The people answering phones, giving tours and creating marketing materials are often where potential issues first surface. Communities should make sure those teams know the boundaries, understand when to elevate a question and never let uncertainty turn into an automatic “no.” 

The following is a recap from Varsity’s Roundtable, a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

Senior living leaders have no shortage of data, but knowing which numbers matter and what to do with them can be the bigger challenge. From workforce pressures and resident fees to governance and the growing focus on health span, the latest industry research offers a revealing look at where senior living is today and where it may be headed next.

Katelyn McCauley, Vice President and Head of Senior Living Research at Ziegler, joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable to share findings from Ziegler’s 2026 CFO Hotline surveys. She explored what senior living finance leaders are reporting across several key areas, including how organizations are approaching board composition, which health span programs future residents may value most, what’s happening with workforce costs and turnover, and how resident fee structures and growth strategies are evolving. 

Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.

HEALTH SPAN IS BECOMING A COMPETITIVE DIFFERENTIATOR

87% said health span will be very important to the next resident, creating opportunities around cognitive health, purpose and other programs that are harder to replicate at home.

BOARD RECRUITMENT IS BECOMING MORE STRATEGIC

Communities are increasingly looking for board members whose expertise supports their strategic plans, including real estate and development experience for organizations pursuing growth.

WORKFORCE PRESSURES AREN’T GOING AWAY

Overall turnover declined slightly, but staffing costs continue to climb, with 90% reporting some level of increase over the past year.

WORKFORCE IS ALSO A MARKETING ISSUE

Positive culture is a leading strategy for addressing staffing shortages, giving marketing teams an important role in communicating what makes their organizations good places to work.

RESIDENTS FAVOR GREATER REFUNDABILITY

When refundable entrance fee options are available, 25% choose a 90%-or-greater refund compared with just 5% choosing a 50% refund.

GROWTH IS SHIFTING TOWARD EXPANSION AND M&A

Ziegler is seeing fewer new campuses and more activity around expansions and consolidation, particularly among nonprofit providers.

VARSITY’S FRESH PERSPECTIVE

Senior living leaders have no shortage of data. The opportunity is turning that data into action. From health span and workforce culture to board composition and pricing, consumer expectations are changing alongside the business of senior living.

The organizations that stay ahead will be the ones that connect what the numbers are telling them with what future residents and employees actually value, then use those insights to shape strategy, strengthen their value proposition and make smarter decisions about what comes next.

The right medication for one person can be the wrong medication for another, and our genes can help explain why. In an episode of Varsity’s Roundtable Talk, Derek sat down with Dr. Troy Veale, CEO of PHD Laboratory; Lauren Bopp, a molecular biologist with PHD Laboratory; and Kiera DesChamps, founder of KD Consulting Group. Together, they brought scientific, healthcare and senior living perspectives to the growing use of pharmacogenetic, or PGx, testing to help personalize medication decisions.

In their conversation, Derek, Dr. Veale, Lauren and Kiera explored how PGx testing can identify medications that may work better based on an individual’s genetic makeup, why symptoms like confusion, dizziness and falls shouldn’t automatically be dismissed as part of aging, and how testing can give physicians another tool to move beyond trial-and-error prescribing.

Check out the full episode here. 

WHAT IS PHARMACOGENETIC (PGx) TESTING, IN PLAIN ENGLISH?

PGx is a simple cheek swab that captures your DNA to help providers determine what medications may work best for a patient, what medications to be cautious of and what medications their body may not metabolize properly. It gives providers a guideline for prescribing medications based on a person’s genetic makeup. Not all medications work for everyone, and this technology can help us better understand which medications may be a good fit for each individual.

WHY IS PGx TESTING STILL RELATIVELY UNKNOWN, ESPECIALLY IN SENIOR LIVING?

The simple reason is education. A lot of providers aren’t aware of this technology, and a lot of people don’t know that it exists. It’s also something that many medical professionals didn’t study when they were in school. 

Now the technology is here, but if they didn’t learn about it during their training, they may not know how to use it. I think as we continue educating providers and the public, more people will start utilizing it. We’re working with national organizations to bring more awareness to medication education while also trying to introduce this technology into senior living communities.

FOR SENIOR LIVING OPERATORS, HOW CAN PGx TESTING HELP BUILD TRUST WITH FAMILIES?

When I talk with senior living communities and operators, I always ask, what’s your brand? What’s your messaging? What are you saying to families? As an adult daughter with an 84-year-old mother, I want somebody who’s going to pay attention to her side effects and medications. That’s the peace of mind families are looking for. 

It also has a lot to do with resident engagement, retention and hospitalizations. All those things matter to the bottom line as well. Families want to know their loved ones are being taken care of and have the opportunity to live healthy, happy lives.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO IMPLEMENT PGx TESTING IN A SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY?

It takes total buy-in. What’s worked for us is finding that person, whether it’s someone in sales and marketing talking to the provider or a family member who wants to bring the information to their loved one’s community. Sometimes you get that one pilot, one community or one person, and then you see the results. We want to follow up with that community or provider and ask whether they found interactions, made adjustments or saw improvements in quality of life. We’re here for the long haul. We want to be involved in the full process, from beginning to end, because it’s about total patient care.

The following is a recap from Varsity’s Roundtable, a weekly virtual gathering of senior living marketers and leaders from across the nation. For updates about future weekly Roundtable gatherings, submit your name and email address here. 

Senior living has a built-in advantage when it comes to attracting and retaining employees: the work has purpose. But purpose alone doesn’t create a strong workplace culture. Employees also want to feel valued, understand what’s expected of them and see their own values reflected in the organization. And despite plenty of talk about generational differences, those expectations cut across age groups.

Denise Boudreau, President of Drive, joined Varsity’s weekly Roundtable to explore what today’s workforce really wants and how senior living organizations can build cultures where people want to work, contribute and stay. Below are a few Fresh Perspectives from her discussion.

PURPOSE IS NOT A GENERATIONAL ISSUE

Workers across age groups are looking for greater meaning, balance and fulfillment at work. Denise shared data showing the importance of work-life balance actually increased with age. The opportunity for senior living is significant because purpose is already naturally built into the work.

EMPLOYEES WANT ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT ITS MEANING IS CHANGING

Accountability consistently ranks among employees’ most desired workplace values, but the conversation is shifting from holding others accountable to taking personal ownership. Employees want to understand what they are responsible for, where the organization is headed and how their work contributes to larger goals.

CULTURE CAN AND SHOULD BE MEASURED

Culture is more than a feeling. Denise emphasized using data to understand whether employees’ personal values align with what they actually experience at work. That alignment drives engagement, fulfillment and an employee’s ability to show up authentically.

STRONG CULTURE HAS A MEASURABLE BUSINESS IMPACT

Organizations with strong cultures saw 38% lower turnover than those with poor cultures. Stronger culture scores impact occupancy, including one organization where the strongest-culture sites averaged 94% occupancy compared with 66% at the weakest.

COMPENSATION ALONE WILL NOT SOLVE RETENTION

Paying a living wage matters, but Denise cited research showing toxic culture was 10.4 times more likely to drive employees away than compensation.