From the Desk of the Executive Director: The Future of Aging in North Carolina

By Brad Dilday

The senior living industry is set to enter a period of unprecedented growth. North Carolina remains one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and many of those new residents will eventually seek communities like Springmoor that offer security, amenities, access to comprehensive health services, social engagement, and peace of mind for themselves and their families.

Understanding the needs and expectations of this growing demographic will be essential to our long-term success. Fortunately, I believe Springmoor is exceptionally well positioned. We have a strong reputation, a dedicated staff, engaged residents, and a culture that embraces continuous improvement.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to attend the LeadingAge North Carolina Annual Conference in Asheville. LeadingAge NC is a nonprofit association that includes more than 65 life plan communities and affordable housing providers, as well as almost 100 business members across our state.

As North Carolina’s affiliate of LeadingAge, this organization cultivates expanded possibilities for aging, offers value to its members, and provides leadership to the field of aging through advocacy, education, innovation, and collaboration. As the first full-service Life Plan community in Raleigh, Springmoor is proud to be a member of this group.

Recurring topics during the three-day conference were demographic trends, workforce projections, and the future of aging services in North Carolina. Data patterns suggest that demand for senior living services will continue to grow significantly over the next decade, while the workforce available to provide those services will become increasingly difficult to find.

According to projections from the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management, the number of people in our state who are 85 and older is expected to increase by approximately 27% between 2025 and 2030, reaching more than 260,000 residents. By 2030, North Carolina is projected to have approximately 2.4 million adults age 65 and older, representing one in every five North Carolinians. Older adults will outnumber children statewide, marking a significant demographic shift.

At the same time, growth in the traditional workforce population is expected to be much slower. While North Carolina continues to attract younger workers, the ratio of younger adults entering the workforce compared to those approaching retirement has steadily declined over the past several decades. The reality is that there will be fewer working-age individuals available to support a rapidly growing senior population.

As a community with an unwavering focus on what is best for our residents, these trends are not simply interesting statistics. These are realities we are examining now and anticipating how they will shape Springmoor’s operations in the years ahead.

As the demand for senior living, healthcare, dining services, transportation, maintenance, and resident support continues to increase, we must be proactive in identifying new ways to serve residents efficiently while maintaining the high standards of service that define our community.

One of the most promising opportunities available to organizations today is the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies. AI is not a replacement for the personal relationships, compassion, and human interaction that are central to life at Springmoor. However, it can help our staff work more efficiently and effectively to personalize care, predict health changes, and accomplish other important goals.

At a top-tier Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) like Springmoor, mission-drive quality is paramount. Rather than supplanting human interaction, the goal is for AI tools to empower staff to be more proactive and more present with the residents they serve.

A few examples of how AI tools can be applied across the continuum of care include:

-Automated clinical documentation: Ambient AI scribes can listen to a medical provider’s check-in visit with a resident and generate accurate progress notes for electronic health records. This means staff members spend less time staring at screens and more time making eye contact and providing quality services to residents.

-Elevating the dining experience: AI-driven systems can integrate with each resident’s dietary profile to track restrictions and preferences (e.g., allergies, low sodium, vegetarian, etc.). When the resident takes a seat in the dining room, a digital menu highlights the current options that meet their health goals and align with past favorites.

-Monitoring changes in needs regarding level of care: Emerging AI tools can review medication logs, vital signs, activities of daily living (ADLs), and cognitive markers in older adults and flag subtle health changes before a crisis.

-Predicting and preventing falls: Floor sensors can analyze resident movement patters without violating privacy. These sensors can detect early signs of changes in gait and declines in balance that allow physical therapists and other medical professionals to provide support before a fall occurs.

-Providing comfort and companionship in the form of robotic pets: AI can combine language processing, computer vision, and other forms of technology to mimic the behavior and learning ability of a real cat or dog—without the vet bills. Many older adults are animal lovers but don’t want the responsibility of pet ownership at their current stage of life. Having a pet that doesn’t need to be fed, groomed, or cleaned up after can be an effective way to offer comfort and companionship with fewer hassles and less expense.

-Smart home voice integration: Independent residents may benefit from customized voice assistants that allow them to use simple voice commands to control their blinds, lighting, and climate, as well as accessing details regarding community dining menus and upcoming events. 

-Cognitive and memory care tools: In specialized neighborhoods for residents who need memory care, adaptive AI software can personalize digital reminiscing programs and interactive games that stimulate cognition and auto-adjust based on how the resident is engaging with them.

These types of new tools can allow employees to spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time focused on the work that truly benefits residents. In some cases, improved efficiency may reduce the need to replace every position that becomes vacant through retirement or turnover, enabling organizations to accomplish more with the same number of team members.

At Springmoor, we are proactively evaluating opportunities to improve efficiency across every department through all available resources including AI platforms and other emerging technologies. Our goal is not simply to reduce costs; it is to ensure that we remain prepared for the future while continuing to deliver exceptional service and value to each of our residents.

The future will undoubtedly bring challenges, but it will also bring tremendous opportunities. By planning, embracing innovation, and remaining focused on our mission, Springmoor will continue to thrive and serve generations of residents for many years to come.