Wii for wellness: How five social trends are transforming senior living environments by Cornelia C. Hodgson, AIA

Every so often, a trend comes along that transcends the fickle nature of most fads, reaching that pivotal moment when a product is suddenly mainstream and fully integrated into everyday lives. Several trends that have crossed generational lines are becoming deeply ingrained in senior living—from a computer-generated game being used for recreation and rehabilitation, to social networking for making connections and online chat about health.

While technology has greatly affected older adults, other value-oriented trends—such as a recommitment to social responsibility and an effort to slow down and savor healthy food—are redefining senior living, and along with it, creating new architectural design implications. These implications can also be viewed as a trend in how communities are using architecture to help define their unique brand.