Jane Rodhe

Members of the Ageless Living Collaborative will share the history and outcomes of creative, solution-driven typologies that positively impact residents and staff that live and work in various types of senior living settings. Person-centered drivers provide a framework for improving operations and care, increasing staff, family, and resident satisfaction, and providing the basis for built environments that are conducive to positive outcomes. Over time, the goal is to not place older adults and vulnerable individuals into facilities, but to create smaller scaled settings that support everyday living – as a norm, instead of the exception. Because reimbursements are uncertain, it is even more important to evaluate alternative ways to create a continuum of care for older adults – using evidence-based approaches to evaluate adult day care, small house and residential assisted living models, community and engagement centers, co-location with higher education campuses, intergenerational settings, and supports needed for those that decide to age in their communities. Please join our experienced team for an in-depth discussion on successful alternatives for care and services – as you are one of the change agents in improving environments for older adults and vulnerable populations.

As residents living with dementia enter senior living communities with increasingly complex cognitive and physical needs, designers and operators face a growing challenge: creating environments that support movement, engagement, and independence while minimizing the consequences of falls and other adverse events. This session explores how the built environment influences resident behavior, mobility, confidence, and quality of life in memory care settings. Through the combined perspectives of design, operations, clinical care, and development, panelists will examine how environmental decisions - from circulation patterns and sensory cues to flooring systems and neighborhood organization - shape both resident outcomes and operational performance. The discussion will highlight practical strategies for new construction and renovation projects, including ways to support purposeful movement, reduce environmental stressors, improve staff oversight, and create spaces that help residents remain active and engaged longer. Real-world examples and emerging research will demonstrate how thoughtful design decisions can positively impact resident well-being, staff effectiveness, family satisfaction, and fall-related outcomes. Participants will leave with actionable insights they can apply to future memory care projects regardless of budget, project scope, or care model.

The Cambridge Residences + Commons began with a simple “let’s take a walk” conversation with Frostburg State University’s interim president, who envisioned transforming an empty, unused campus asset into something vibrant and productive. That walk with Live Together, Inc. led to a three-year memorandum of understanding to create, program, and renovate a former student residence hall into an intergenerational hub for learning, engagement, housing, wellness, and services for residents of all ages. Located in Frostburg, Maryland, the project has gained strong support from the surrounding rural community through local partnerships, community advocacy, and an innovative approach to addressing social needs. Primary partners include Live Together®, Frostburg State University’s Social Work Program, and the Housing Authority of the City of Frostburg. As collaboration grows, state, local, federal, and philanthropic funding are being aligned to support a cooperative housing and services model. The Cambridge will provide attainable housing for downsizing older adults, recent graduates, and families while creating a shared community “hub” that supports natural neighboring, wellness and service coordination, transportation access, workforce development, and intergenerational connection. Ultimately, the project offers a replicable rural model, with particular relevance for communities throughout the Appalachian corridor.