Leading the Conversation: Oppidan Shares Key Trends from the 2025 Environments for Aging Conference

At Oppidan, we believe leadership in senior living isn’t just about developing exceptional communities, it’s about staying at the forefront of industry knowledge and sharing insights that move the industry forward. That’s why we’re proud to highlight key takeaways from the recent 2025 Environments for Aging (EFA) Conference, where our Residential Design and Services Integrator, Michelle Riedel, took the stage alongside industry leaders to discuss how flexible design can maximize engagement at college-based senior living communities.

Here are some key reflections from Michelle’s experience at EFA:

Elevating Design Beyond the Blueprint
Too often, thoughtful design elements that enhance resident safety and satisfaction get overlooked as staff and building teams turn over. Therefore, there’s continued importance in arming marketing teams and operators with detailed knowledge of the unique features embedded in each senior living community. By documenting and sharing these features as part of the marketing and operational story, communities can unlock additional value and revenue opportunities. For Oppidan, this means continuing to ensure that our teams fully understand and communicate the intentionality behind every space we create.

Harnessing AI to Strengthen Design and Operations
AI is no longer just a buzzword; it’s becoming a practical tool in senior housing design, from conceptual renderings that align teams early in the process to operational solutions like fall detection, staffing optimization, and even robotics. Michelle noted that the conference underscored how rapidly AI is integrating into both design and day-to-day operations, which is a trend Oppidan has been monitoring closely as we look for new ways to increase efficiencies and elevate resident and staff experiences.

Applying Trauma-Informed Design Principles
Another key insight from the conference was the growing emphasis on trauma-informed design. By incorporating these principles, communities can better meet the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of residents and staff alike. Many of the design strategies Oppidan is pursuing are aligned with these evolving best practices.

Changing Face of the Resident
While staffing remains the most pressing challenge facing the industry, changing resident patterns are also reshaping the landscape. Residents are staying home longer, entering senior living communities with higher acuity levels and shorter lengths of stay. To stay ahead, operators will need to explore creative, flexible solutions, which is something Oppidan and our operating partners are already deeply engaged in.

Our continued presence at conferences like EFA reflects our commitment to learning, innovating, and leading in the senior living space. With projects that already embrace intergenerational living and innovative programming, Oppidan is positioned not just to follow industry trends but to help shape them.