High-Profile: April 2026 | Page 36

36 High-Profile Focus: Senior / Assisted Living April 2026

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WOLFEBORO PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX

CONCORD, NH

By Ryan McDonald

One challenge in modern senior living design continues to surface in conversations with operators, architects, and builders alike: access control and, more specifically, how to balance safety with quality of life.

On the surface, access control can feel like a technical coordination issue. From a construction standpoint, senior living environments require numerous integrated systems, automatic door operators, emergency call buttons, wander-management systems, and camera networks. These elements must be carefully coordinated across disciplines to ensure they function seamlessly together. While complex, this level of coordination is something experienced teams can plan for and execute.

The deeper challenge, however, goes beyond construction. It’ s rooted in a fundamental question that every senior living provider must answer: How do you

protect residents while still preserving their independence and dignity?

As one of our project partners at Market Square Architects put it,“ The question at the heart of access control is how to balance safety and quality of life.” This conflict becomes especially clear in environments like Active Adult and Assisted Living communities, where residents often have private patios or balconies connected to their units. These features are intentional. They promote autonomy, connection to the outdoors, and an overall sense of home.

But as residents experience cognitive or physical changes over time, those same design features can introduce risk. Operators are then faced with difficult decisions: restrict access to ensure safety, or maintain freedoms that contribute to a resident’ s quality of life. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and too often, the burden of managing that balance falls on staffing.

That’ s where the real strain emerges. Increased monitoring needs can lead to higher staffing requirements, which directly impacts operational costs and long-term feasibility. In a market already facing workforce challenges, this becomes a critical pressure point, not just for operators, but for the entire project team working to deliver a

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One promising advancement is the use of in-room AI monitoring systems. These technologies can detect events such as falls in real time, alerting staff immediately without requiring the resident to press a call button. Importantly, they are designed to be minimally invasive, preserving privacy while still providing a critical layer of protection.

The impact is twofold. First, it enhances resident safety by reducing response times and ensuring incidents don’ t go unnoticed. Second, it allows staff to work more efficiently, shifting from constant manual monitoring to more proactive, informed care. In turn, this can help alleviate staffing pressures and create a more sustainable operational model.

Beyond individual technologies, this challenge also reinforces the importance of early collaboration. Integrating access

Lynn, MA – MassDevelopment has issued a $ 29 million tax-exempt bond on behalf of 2Life Solimine 4 % LLC, an affiliate of 2Life Communities Inc., which is developing 150 new units of senior housing at 500 Lynnfield St. in Lynn.

MassDevelopment’ s tax-exempt bond is supporting construction of 105 of the project’ s 150 total housing units. The tax-exempt bond, purchased by Citizens Bank, helped the borrower achieve a lower cost of capital. In addition to the taxexempt bond, MassDevelopment assisted the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities with the approval of federal low-income housing tax credits that will provide approximately $ 20.2 million in equity for the project.

“ As more of our workforce ages into retirement, the demand for high-quality senior housing continues to grow,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley, who serves as chair of MassDevelopment’ s board of directors.“ 2Life Communities is creating a new place for older adults to call home, that will ensure they have the care they need and opportunities to remain active and engaged within a community setting.”

The new development will feature three new interconnected buildings that will include 138 one-bedroom apartments and 12 two-bedroom apartments. The development will include 40 units rented to households earning up to 60 % of area median income( AMI), 69 units rented to households earning up to 50 % of AMI, and 39 units rented to households earning control systems, resident experience considerations, and operational workflows during preconstruction allows teams to think holistically about how a building will function long after it’ s delivered. It’ s not just about where devices are located. It’ s about how people interact with the space, and how the space supports those interactions over time.

Ultimately, the future of senior living design and construction will be defined by how well we navigate this balance. Safety will always be paramount, but it cannot come at the expense of dignity, independence, and quality of life. The most successful communities will be those that embrace innovation thoughtfully, using technology and integrated design and construction strategies to enhance, rather than restrict, the resident experience. Because at its core, senior living isn’ t just about building safer environments. It’ s about creating places where people can continue to live fully, with confidence and care.

Ryan McDonald is business development manager at Erland Construction.

Rendering courtesy of 2Life

up to 30 % of AMI. Two apartments will house live-in staff that will be on call 24 hours per day for residents in the development. Once complete, the development will connect via a walkway to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Center( PACE).

“ We are thrilled to see the beginning of this project, which marks a major step forward in providing more affordable, accessible housing opportunities for our seniors,” said Lynn Mayor Jared C. Nicholson.“ This development will guarantee a new community where they can flourish and connect.”

“ 2Life is thrilled to be expanding to the North Shore by creating a vibrant new service-enriched community where 150 of Lynn’ s older adults can age affordably,” said 2Life Communities president, Lizbeth Heyer.“ Thanks to MassDevelopment’ s pivotal support, Lynn’ s treasured seniors will thrive at Solimine House, living with purpose, dignity, and peace of mind in a 100 % affordable, beautiful, accessible, and energy-efficient building.” www. high-profile. com