In 2026, as demand climbs for affordable senior living options, the industry is prioritizing wellness, technology, and integrated community living.
In 2026, experts expect senior living to be in high demand. According to the most recent Senior Housing Analyst Review and Outlook (SHARK) report, by the end of 2026, demand for senior living is expected to meet or surpass the record levels of 2008. At the same time, due to rising costs and labor shortages, many care communities are struggling to keep their doors open. In 2024 there were 63,000 fewer beds available in long-term care and skilled nursing facilities as compared to 2020, according to the American Health Care Association.
Heather Tussing, president of the Aspenwood company, expects that 2026 will be a transitional year for the industry. “While 2026 holds a lot of promise for new development, the headwinds of high interest rates and elevated construction costs will likely remain.” Supply chain issues and labor shortages will persist, too. These industry pressures, combined with the growing population of older adults, will amount to a gap of 370,000 senior housing units by 2050, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care (NIC). As a result, depending on their area of the country, boomers may have a hard time finding affordable options.
Even so, the senior living industry needs to woo these clients. In fact, since new construction will likely remain expensive for the time being, many communities are opting to attract new residents with amenities and updates that appeal to the boomer sensibility. Experts predict three trends for senior living in 2026: wellness-centered, technology-rich, and integrated community living.
Wellness-Centered Living
Boomers are concerned with wellness, and communities are responding by designing spaces and programming for the whole person. "A holistic approach to wellness is becoming a central design pillar” in senior living, says Laurie Schultz, co-founder of Avenue Development. Meditation spaces, yoga and mindful movement classes, and holistic therapies will continue to be popular in 2026, along with nutrition coaching and stress support.
Technology-Rich Living
Next year, industry experts expect the tech trends of 2025 to accelerate as AI-assisted smart home devices take up permanent residence in senior housing. It goes without saying that boomers are the most tech-savvy seniors in history, and many of them welcome advances in technology that make aging in place, or in senior housing, safer and more convenient.
In 2026, expect to see continuing advances in Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM), including smartwatches and other wearables that connect older adults to their care teams. These devices monitor blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and other vital signs, and can detect falls in real time, leading to faster responses and, research shows, fewer hospital admissions. The most up-to-the minute senior living communities will feature smart technologies like motion detectors and AI-powered systems that track habitual movements to notify the care team or families if a resident’s routine seems off. We can also hope that the industry continues to prioritize privacy along with safety in 2026 and beyond, as companies integrate these AI tools in the daily routines of senior living.
Community-Based Living
One trend that’s expected to pick up steam in 2026 is integrated community-based living. Steve Nygren, founder of Serenbe, says that as a cohort, boomers are very active. “As part of their active lifestyles, they’re seeking accommodations…that incorporate intergenerational living.” In 2026, Serenbe will start constructing a village-style community with 97 units. “The design emphasizes social life within the club while placing most services along the street, creating an active and engaging streetscape,” Nygren says. “This stands in contrast to the conventional institutional model where all services are centralized under one corporation.”
The senior living industry knows that most boomers prefer to age in place, and that preference is motivating a movement toward creating senior living communities that are integrated into existing towns and cityscapes. Local governments are taking note, too. “Many municipalities are now including senior living in their strategic plans,” says Laurie Schultz of Avenue Development, because they recognize “a well-planned continuum of senior housing” as essential to the big-picture success of the town.
In 2026 and beyond, expect the challenges of rising demand and construction pressures to spur more innovation in the senior living industry.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice from a qualified financial advisor.
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