Hello and welcome to Real Estate Innovators, I’m your host, Julian Carter. Today we’re diving into a striking stat: even in top markets, only about five percent of seniors live in dedicated senior housing. McKinsey’s Sam O’Gorman explains that these residences “for all intents and purposes” look like regular apartments but feature “level access, lighting placed at a lower level, and wider doors.” Importantly, “senior housing doesn’t imply a care home or a nursing home.”

Affordability isn’t the main hurdle—most seniors report they can cover the cost. Instead, many fear there’s “no turning back.” Operators are tackling this by offering short-term leases or weekend trial stays and even buying a resident’s current home to ease the move. For those who stay put, retrofit services costing $5,000 to $20,000 can install grab rails, improved lighting, and smart sensors that alert staff if someone falls or deviates from their routine.

With aging populations set to rise to 40 percent in South Korea and more than 20 percent in the U.S. by 2050, innovative senior housing—blending flexible visits, home retrofits, and life-enhancing technology—could transform the way we age. Thanks for listening to Real Estate Innovators. I’m Julian Carter—join us next time.
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