Living Longer, Living Better: How Innovation and Connection Are Reimagining Senior Living
In part two of the Smart Aging™ Podcast, senior living leaders Lori Alford from Avanti Senior Living and Stephanie Boreal from Watermark Retirement Communities return to discuss what it takes to build communities where people can truly thrive. While the first part of the conversation focused on personal leadership and wellness values, this follow-up explores the bigger picture: what’s changing in senior living, what’s possible now, and how technology, wellness, and culture are shaping the next generation of care.
What comes through clearly is a shared commitment to creating communities where life is personalized, purposeful, and full of energy.
Longevity is More Than a Trend
Lori opens the conversation with a bold statement: she wants to live to 120. But for her, it’s not about adding years for the sake of it. It’s about living well, staying active, and continuing to do the things she loves. That, she says, requires more than just occasional yoga or supplements. It’s a comprehensive lifestyle that emphasizes customization.
She describes attending longevity-focused conferences for years and how the field is shifting toward personalized wellness—from microbiome testing to individualized supplement plans. What works for one person won’t work for everyone. Your bloodwork, gut health, and DNA should all inform how you care for yourself.
Stephanie agrees and shares her own experience using DNA-based testing to understand health risks and dietary needs. She points out that tools like this are more accessible now and can help older adults make better-informed decisions.
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Gut and Brain Health Matter
Gut health came up again and again throughout the episode. The gut is now often referred to as the “second brain” because of its close connection to mood, inflammation, and cognition. Lori shares how avoiding processed foods, reducing artificial dyes, and cutting out soda are all ways to protect gut health and support brain function.
They also talk about the power of the mind. Lori debunks the myth that older adults can’t change their habits or learn new things. Brain health, she explains, is shaped by practices like meditation, breathwork, gratitude, and trying something new (even something as small as brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand). Both leaders emphasize that it’s never too late to make meaningful changes.
Fitness Is a Core Part of Community Life
At Avanti Senior Living, fitness is not an optional add-on. It’s at the center of daily life. Quite literally, too—the fitness studio sits in the heart of their assisted living neighborhood, surrounded by glass walls so residents can see what’s going on inside.
With multiple classes each day and a full-time fitness professional on staff, the program attracts high participation. Lori says fitness is their most popular program, second only to happy hour.
Stephanie shares that Watermark also begins each resident’s journey with an interest survey, which helps identify preferred wellness activities. Whether it’s yoga, drum fit, or walking clubs, they meet residents where they are and invite them to stay active in ways that feel comfortable and fun.
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AI Is Here and It’s Making a Difference
Both leaders highlight how artificial intelligence is helping teams focus on what really matters. Lori points to Go Icon’s Smart Aging™ tools as a game-changer. From building calendars to generating branded marketing materials, she says the platform allows social directors to spend less time behind a desk and more time with residents.
Stephanie has used AI for training, engagement, and even fall detection. She’s working on ways to apply it to clinical operations and predictive modeling to improve outcomes. Both leaders agree that the pace of innovation is fast, but the opportunities are worth exploring.
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Value-Based Care: A Human-Centered Approach
The topic of value-based care came up with a lot of energy. While it can sound clinical or abstract, Stephanie explains that it’s really about shifting attention to prevention and wellness instead of treating illness after it happens. Medicare is changing its payment model to support providers who can improve health outcomes and keep people out of the hospital.
For both leaders, this model aligns with how they already approach community life. Wellness is something they build into the culture, not just a checkmark on a form.
So, What’s Next for Senior Living?
The episode closes with a hopeful message. Both Lori and Stephanie believe that we’re at a point in time where people are not only living longer, but can also live better.
Lori is excited by the innovation she sees in technology, testing, and lifestyle tools. Stephanie points to the growing use of data and AI to create truly customized experiences. They agree that one-size-fits-all models no longer work, and that today’s seniors are open to trying new things—especially if those things improve their daily life.
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