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[New Ebook] Real estate, healthcare or services?

Written by Jillian Guerra | June 02, 2025

We have a favorite question we like to ask our Senior Living colleagues, especially during this digital transformation era. Are you a real estate, healthcare or services business? 

The question that sparks insightful conversations and consistently points to the need for - you guessed it - change. The industry faces a complex challenge in balancing the needs of current residents while also attracting Baby Boomers, who often prefer to age in place. This dual focus requires not only affordable, amenity-rich housing but also a cultural and operational shift, including updating staff tools and approaches. Ultimately, success depends on the ability to serve both existing and emerging demographics effectively. 

We found three core areas to focus on. 

Occupancy

When was the last time you were required to swipe your credit card, instead of tapping? What was that experience like? Filling your community with vibrant, engaging events is almost a definite to enhance your community, but we've also learned investing in providing staff with the right tools to do so is a common trend in fully occupied communities. 

Staffing 

An often overlooked aspect of the staffing crisis is the internal issue of under-supported and under-equipped staff. Creating a supportive environment with the right number of staff per shift is key, however it's also key to provide modern tools. Incoming staff expect it, and incoming residents do. 

Technology 

There’s a crucial difference between investing in resident-focused technologies, like fall detection, and implementing technology that enhances operations and empowers staff. While many organizations invest in fall detection or other hardware, they often still rely on outdated tools like beepers and paper-based systems. Risk-specific solutions are helpful, but don’t fundamentally change how staff work. The real opportunity lies in leveraging technology to transform interactions among residents, staff, and families and to modernize the delivery of services. 

 

Become the iPhone not the xPhone or kPhone

When was the last time you used Kodak camera or a Xerox machine? Kodak peaked in the beginning of the 1900's during which it dominated the film and camera market. However, their decline occurred after the shift towards digital photography. 

Transformations happen - whether they are digital or industrial, like the Fulton Ferry Company. Read more in the Ebook.