The senior living industry has long faced two major challenges: reducing isolation among older adults and designing sustainable care models that feel truly person-centered. At the same time, young adults with special needs often struggle with limited housing options, a lack of integration, and reduced opportunities for independence.
A new model of care is emerging that addresses both challenges at once: intergenerational senior living. By pairing seniors with young adults with disabilities, communities are creating family-style environments where both groups thrive together.
What Is Intergenerational Senior Living?
Unlike traditional assisted living facilities that serve only older adults, intergenerational communities house both seniors and younger adults with special needs. These models often embrace a small-home or greenhouse approach, prioritizing connection, familiarity, and meaningful daily life over large, institutional setups.
This approach is exemplified by Kinbridge at Oviedo, where CEO Chiriga Ofori has pioneered a model that blends the wisdom of seniors with the energy and resilience of younger adults. The result is not just housing, but a thriving, purpose-driven community.
Why This Model Works
- Mutual Learning and Support
Seniors share life skills like budgeting and cooking, while younger adults often teach seniors how to use modern technology. - Reducing Isolation
Both groups are vulnerable to loneliness. Living together creates purpose and belonging. - Person-Centered Care
Family-style living allows staff to know residents deeply and adapt care to their unique needs. - Changing Perceptions of Aging
Seniors are no longer just “residents in a facility.” They become mentors, teachers, and role models.
The Operational Challenge
Many operators are drawn to greenhouse or small-home models but quickly realize the numbers are hard to make work. Fewer beds, higher staffing ratios, and specialized programming create real financial pressure.
This is where outside expertise becomes essential. Communities that have successfully implemented intergenerational or greenhouse models often rely on:
- Operational audits to identify inefficiencies.
- Strategic planning to build sustainable staffing and financial models.
- Community partnerships that bring in volunteers and local resources.
- Regulatory expertise to ensure compliance while innovating.
How Gravity Consulting Can Help
At Gravity Consulting, we specialize in helping senior living providers design, implement, and sustain innovative care models. Whether you’re exploring an intergenerational program, transitioning to a greenhouse-style home, or simply looking to make your operations more person-centered, we can help you:
- Assess feasibility. Through audits and market analysis, we identify what’s realistic for your community.
- Optimize operations. We streamline staffing, documentation, and workflows to reduce overhead without sacrificing care.
- Build partnerships. We help you connect with community stakeholders to bring in additional resources and support.
- Ensure compliance. Our team understands the regulatory landscape and helps you navigate it while trying new models.
- Develop strategy. From admissions criteria to financial modeling, we work with leadership teams to align vision with execution.
The Bigger Picture
The intergenerational model isn’t just about mixing ages — it’s about rebuilding connection in a fragmented world. Seniors and younger adults alike benefit from patience, compassion, and shared purpose. Communities that embrace this approach will not only differentiate themselves in a crowded market but also improve outcomes for the people they serve.
At the end of the day, innovation in senior living is about more than buildings and programs. It’s about connection, sustainability, and strategy. Gravity Consulting helps providers bring all three together.
