PUBPOL 5500 - Introduction to Senior Living and Related Programs

(crosslisted) HADM 6033

Fall. 2 credits. S/U grades only (no audit).

B. Hollis.

With the aging population, longer life expectancies and the population bulge of the baby boomers, serving both the hospitality and housing/care needs of seniors will be a tremendous growth area. The facilities and programs to serve these populations have certain specialized aspects related to healthcare, but they also share a number of the operating characteristics of many hospitality and real estate operations and design.

This course will provide students with a basic introduction to some of the concepts, approaches and related terminology regarding the planning, development, and operations of the growing sector of senior living and assisted living plus to a lesser degree, the area of continuous care retirement communities (CCRCs). We also expect to touch on some related programs such as home health, and PACE programs, hospice etc. We will discuss some associated entrepreneurial opportunities and potential relationships to develop affiliations and new ventures with hospitals as acute care providers look to more closely coordinate care across post-acute providers to manage readmissions and look towards various government and insurance initiatives to manage care, and in some cases risk across the continuum of care.

Outcome 1: Identify and categorize a number of facility issues and special attributes on the design and operations of senior housing, assisted living and CCRCs.

Outcome 2: Write a brief description of some unique aspects of branding, marketing and sales approaches to senior housing and assisted living properties.

Outcome 3: Explain some current or potential future trends and innovations and to be able to identify at least one potential entrepreneurial opportunity in the field.

Outcome 4: Describe different financing options available to developers of senior living facilities and distinguish some of the advantages and disadvantages between them.

Outcome 5: Identify opportunities to apply hospitality approaches to healthcare settings whether it be senior living or related areas.