Recently on Varsity’s Roundtable we recently welcomed Marvell Adams, Jr. of the Longevity and Inclusion Alliance Fellows Program for an insightful discussion about equity in aging.
Marvell, a leader with over 20 years of experience in aging services, has held roles ranging from CEO to nursing home administrator. His mission? To address systemic disparities and create equitable housing, support, and services for older adults.
Here are some fresh perspectives from that conversation.
INTERGENERATIONAL DYNAMICS ARE EVOLVING
The conversation explored the growing complexities at the intersection of inclusion and longevity. As people live longer, intergenerational dynamics are evolving, with older adults and their families supporting one another in unique ways—whether through caregiving, helping with grandchildren, or fostering community connections. However, much of this sense of community has been lost.
DEMOGRAPHICS ARE ALSO EVOLVING
In the next 15 years, the population of older adults will grow from 56 million to over 80 million—a nearly 50% increase, according to census data. More than half of this growth will come from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), whose numbers will double by 2040. Similarly, the number of older adults identifying as LGBTQ+ is projected to grow significantly, though these figures are likely underreported due to historical gaps in data collection.
SENIOR LIVING SYSTEMS NEED TO EVOLVE TOO
This shift reveals a critical challenge: the systems serving older adults weren’t designed with such diverse populations in mind. While not a critique of their foundations, it highlights the need to adapt and evolve these systems to ensure they are inclusive and capable of meeting the needs of a changing, more diverse aging population.
MEET POPULATIONS WHERE THEY ARE
Marvell highlighted Keswick, a skilled nursing community in Baltimore, as an example of mission-driven outreach. They’ve invested heavily in a PACE program in West Baltimore, serving a population different from their typical clientele. Marvell emphasized that if people don’t come to you, part of the mission may involve going to them—through services like at-home care or community-based programs—demonstrating that outreach has no limits when rooted in purpose.
Varsity’s Roundtable is 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.
