Senior Living Typologies: A Conversation Around Design for Ageless Living

Senior living and assisted living were hit hard by the pandemic, but now that the proverbial dust has settled, do what interior designers need to consider when designing and specifying for this market? In this episode of I Hear Design, guests Allison Wolfe and Phoebe Stein offer some valuable insights on the trends and typologies that are influencing the design of senior and assisted living environments as well as the challenges designers can expect when planning for this important segment. They will also be part of an in-person panel discussion on Sept. 14th in Atlanta at Shaw Contract's showroom, as the official kickoff to an ongoing in-person series going into 2023 that you don’t want to miss.

Meet our guests:

Phoebe Stein, president, OLIVE Presents/Ageless Living Collaborative

Phoebe founded her namesake communications firm nearly 30 years ago, specializing in strategic branding, reputation management, crisis management, experiential marketing and media relations. During that time, she has been a relentless advocate of developing start-up brands and elevating existing brands in the hospitality, senior living and contract design industries as well as supporting and creating new and meaningful philanthropies, such as the Ageless Living Collaborative.

Early on in her career, she spearheaded the introduction of cellular technology for U.S. West Cellular in Arizona, and later was tapped to launch flat screen technology for SONY. Her entry into hospitality design industry, with the now iconic brand Crypton, led her to launch and build brand awareness for countless others in the industry. Phoebe has built brands, communities and industries, in multiple market segments.

Her crisis management work in the aftermath of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, earned her a PRSA Silver Anvil Commendation award.

Prior to re-launching Phoebe Stein Public Relations, now OLIVE PRESENTS, Inc., in Chicago, she served as in-house, counsel at the Leo Burnett Company and managed national accounts for global public relations firm, Golin Harris.

During the past 15 years, she has worked to develop and evolve the connectivity of the senior living design segment by aligning designers, manufacturers and suppliers in meaningful industry initiatives.

Her passion for design and identifying best outcomes for seniors led her, with David Ashen, to co-found the Ageless Living Collaborative, a 501c3, which provides industry information to a broad range of providers, suppliers, designers and owners, as well as consumers, offering solutions to challenges faced today in senior living.

Today, her primary role is that of business strategist, connector and communicator, fixer and out-of-the-box thinker.

She and her family reside in Chicago.

Allison Wolff, director of marketing, Senior Living & Healthcare, Shaw Contract

Allison Wolff is a flooring Marketing and Sales professional with over 15 years of experience in commercial and residential flooring applications. She is the Director of Marketing for the Healthcare and Senior Living sectors at Shaw Contract, a global market leader in commercial flooring based in Cartersville, Georgia. While approaching the Healthcare and Senior Living market segments, people and planet are at the heart of everything that she creates. Without considering that everything we do can have an impact, we will only succeed in short term value for our clients. The most meaningful contribution is in creating solutions that contribute to positive outcomes for the people that inhabit the places where we live, work, learn and heal. A frequent contributor to new innovations, Allison leverages her operational flooring experience and technical expertise to bring the entire strength of Shaw Industries, Inc. to the marketplace by frequently challenging what a floor can do in a space.