Advancing Senior Living Landscape Design at LeadingAge PA 2025

When the LeadingAge PA Conference opens its doors on June 11, 2025, RGS Associates will be ready to showcase the latest innovations in senior living landscape design and site planning. This premier event brings together professionals from across the senior living industry, providing an ideal opportunity to discuss emerging trends and explore how thoughtful outdoor spaces can enhance resident well-being.

“This conference is our key opportunity to connect with senior living communities and share our specialized expertise,” said Mark Hackenburg, Principal at RGS Associates. “We’re particularly excited to discuss recent innovations in dementia care design and therapeutic outdoor environments.”

Current Trends in Senior Living Landscape Design

RGS Associates has identified several key trends shaping outdoor spaces in senior living communities:

Dementia-Specific Therapeutic Gardens

As Mark mentioned, one of the most significant developments in recent years has been the increased focus on specialized outdoor environments for residents with cognitive impairments.

“We’re seeing a significant trend toward specialized dementia care environments,” he said. “Contemporary designs focus on creating safe outdoor spaces with careful attention to eliminating tripping hazards, incorporating gentle curves, and avoiding dead ends that might cause confusion or frustration for residents struggling with dementia.”

These therapeutic gardens often include:

• Circular pathways with no dead ends to reduce resident anxiety
• Strategic placement of walkways to prevent disturbing shadows or reflections near resident windows
• Disguised gates and exits to minimize agitation
• Memory-triggering elements that residents can link to their past (like clotheslines, mailboxes, and bird feeders)
• Safe walking surfaces with minimal elevation changes and muted colors to reduce glare
• Gardens with familiar plants that residents might remember from earlier in life

Multi-Functional Community Spaces

Another trend RGS has observed is the integration of versatile outdoor areas that accommodate diverse activities and foster community engagement.

“Communities are increasingly requesting flexible outdoor spaces that can adapt to changing needs,” Mark said. “This includes everything from pickleball courts to gathering areas that support both active recreation and passive enjoyment.”

Multi-functional spaces help communities maximize their land use while providing residents with various opportunities for social interaction and physical activity.

Campus Integration and Connectivity

As senior living communities expand to accommodate growing demand for independent living options, the goal of maintaining connectivity across campuses has become a design priority.

“As communities expand, they face the challenge of maintaining connection between new and existing campus areas,” Mark said. “While each situation is unique, they all share the fundamental goal of creating a cohesive community experience, regardless of physical distance between facilities.”

RGS Associates brings extensive experience in master planning that addresses these connectivity challenges. Our solutions ensure that residents can easily access amenities and maintain social connections throughout expanded campus settings.

The Value of Expert Landscape Design

While senior living represents approximately 25-30% of RGS Associates’ total work volume, a dedication to this market sector runs deep. During the economic downturn from 2008-2010, senior living projects helped sustain the firm when other sectors slowed.

“During the economic downturn, our senior living projects kept us viable,” Mark said. “This experience deepened our appreciation for these communities and reinforced our commitment to serving their unique needs.”

This long-term commitment has allowed RGS to develop specialized knowledge that benefits senior living communities in several ways.

Financial Sustainability Through Smart Design

The firm’s understanding of senior living business models informs strategies for campus planning and expansion.

“The rising cost of providing resident care has made independent living units financially essential,” Mark said. “Our design solutions help communities balance their care mission with financial sustainability, creating spaces that attract independent living residents while facilitating their ability to deliver quality resident care.”

Evidence-Based Design

RGS Associates also stays current with research on how the environment affects resident well-being, particularly for those with cognitive impairments.

“These conferences provide access to valuable research that informs our design approach,” Mark said. “We apply evidence-based principles to create outdoor environments that support cognitive function, encourage physical activity, and promote social engagement. The better we are at responding to the needs of our clients, the greater the opportunity for a successful outcome,” he added.

Regulatory Navigation

The firm’s experience with zoning ordinances, accessibility requirements, and environmental regulations helps communities navigate complex approval processes more efficiently. Numerous projects have stalled over challenges encountered during the approval process. RGS has successfully stepped in where others have faltered to help clients achieve outcomes and keep projects on track.

Connect with RGS at LeadingAge 2025

Visitors to the RGS Associates booth #101 at LeadingAge 2025 will have the opportunity to:

• View recent senior living projects showcasing innovative outdoor design
• Discuss specific challenges related to campus expansion or renovation
• Learn about the latest trends in therapeutic garden design
• Explore how thoughtful landscape architecture can enhance resident recruitment and bolster sales and marketing efforts

“Many organizations consider us trusted partners in their planning process,” Mark said. “We look forward to sharing our insights with our longtime connections and other professionals we haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting.”

The RGS team welcomes both scheduled appointments and impromptu conversations during the conference. Beyond formal exhibition hours, team members will be available for more detailed discussions over breakfast or after hours.

“Some of our most productive conversations happen in informal settings,” Mark said. “We value these opportunities to build relationships.”

With three decades of experience designing senior living environments, RGS Associates offers more than just technical expertise. Our firm brings a deep understanding of how outdoor spaces contribute to resident quality of life and operational success.

“Clients consistently tell us they value our experience and perspective as trusted advisors,” Mark said. “In the senior living sector especially, this advisory role is central to our service approach and distinguishes us from our competitors.”

Stop by the RGS Associates booth #101 at LeadingAge PA 2025 to discover how thoughtful landscape design and site planning can enhance your community’s appeal, support resident well-being, and contribute to operational success.