Surging demand for senior living facilities in the U.S. as boomer generation reach their golden years

The UN anticipates a global senior (55+) population of 1.9 Bn by 2030.

In the United States, it’s estimated that 1.5 million seniors currently live in nursing homes, with another 1 million live in assisted living facilities. 

By 2030, all baby boomers will have reached 65 years of age, which makes one in five people in the United States aged 65 years or over. With such a high share of the population elderly (in comparison, the share of the elderly population was roughly one in 20 in 1930), the need for long-term care (LTC) is greater than ever. 

It also means that the senior living sector needs to examine current delivery methods and protocols to prepare for the surging number of senior citizens. 

The pressure on senior living facilities 

There are approximately 32,231 assisted living communities with nearly 1.2 million licensed beds in the United States. The increasing demand for senior living solutions means not only will more facilities be needed, but more care into the type and size of facility offered will need to be taken into consideration.

4,000 new senior living units will be developed this year and next year, but demand growth would necessitate 100,000 new beds each year through 2040, according to data from the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care.

However, the increased demand also means that facilities will need to take even closer care. With an increase in residents, infection could spread more easily between residents, placing vulnerable elderly populations at risk. 

A study collected swabs from 1,400 residents in  28 nursing homes in Southern California found 50% of the residents’ samples were found to be colonized with multidrug-resistant organisms, yet only 13% of residents had documented MDRO colonization in their medical records. Meanwhile, environmental swabbing found 37% of items like beds, tables, and handrails were contaminated with an MDRO. 

This suggests that innovative new management solutions are needed to support the spike in demand for senior living facilities to provide the right care options for the millions of senior citizens to the highest standards. 

A fresh approach to cleaning and infection prevention in senior living communities 

On Wednesday, September 24th, Viking Pure Solutions is set to host an online seminar titled “It Smells Clean in Here!” to break down the most common misconceptions around cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention in senior living communities. 

For generations, we’ve associated “lemon-fresh” smells and the sharp scent of bleach with the idea of cleanliness. Whether it’s residential living or a hospital, the presence of those smells offer reassurance that proper care is being taken to clean and disinfect. 

During the seminar Daniel Lawson of Viking Pure Solutions, Dylan Perry of Inspirit Senior Living, Nicolle Williams of Heritage Senior Living, James Lee of Bella Groves will lead a candid discussion on infection prevention in senior living communities.

From overly fragrant sprays to legacy protocols that refuse to die, the event will explore the red flags that well-meaning operators might be overlooking—and what a truly safe, healthy environment actually looks like.