Assisted Living Is Changing Quickly. Just Ask This Brookdale Exec

Brookdale Senior Living executive Mary Sue Patchett says the assisted living sector is in transition, reports the Nashville Business Journal . She says more communities are being established in trendy areas because thanks to extended longevity, Americans "want to continue doing the things that make them happy. They want to be near entertainment options, parks, sports venues, restaurants, and shopping centers." Patchett also notes that most new assisted living residents choose to live in places where a sense of community already exists, near churches, friends, and so forth. In terms of modern technology, Patchett says Brookdale and similar companies "continue to look for things that enhance the safety of our residents, lowering the impact of falls with sensors, with engineered flooring, or the risk of falls with motion-sensing lights." Of particular interest to residents is using technology to help them connect with others. "Many of our residents expect the ability to stream movies and FaceTime with their families, so making sure our communities have the infrastructure for new technology has been key," Patchett concludes.