Senior living community administrators predict that during the next five years "smart home" technology and wireless connectivity will help attract residents, according to The Trends in Senior Living survey conducted by the Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging. The survey polled operators within 107 senior living organizations, which represent some 435 senior living communities in 13 states. The operators also said that they expect home health services, wellness programs, internet-based education and smaller and "greener" facilities will bring in more residents. 

"The survey results tell us that it will not be business as usual for senior living communities in the years ahead," said Linda Hollinger-Smith, Vice President, Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging. "It's clear that with the projected decline in the 75 to 84 age population over the next decade, senior living organizations will need to identify their niche to attract this generation prior to the arrival of the Baby Boomers."

Currently, 24 percent of respondents said the community they operated offered home health services, but respondents to the survey project that that number will reach 62 percent by 2013. Likewise, wellness offerings will grow from 25 percent to 52 percent, according to the survey. 

Finally, including "smart home" technology to help seniors foster a greater sense of independence will also see a rise from just 8 percent of communities today to 39 percent in 2013, the survey found.

For more, check out this press release about the survey results

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