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Consultant Meredith Oppenheim ’95 on the benefits of senior housing—and why the industry isn’t ready for the Baby Boomers

By Beth Saulnier

As a child in suburban New Jersey, Meredith Oppenheim ’95 was close to her grandparents. “Their longevity and vitality became a priority of mine,” she recalls. “When my girlfriends volunteered as candy stripers and took care of the sick, I baked healthy desserts that I thought my grandparents would enjoy, and that would align with better nutrition and a higher quality of life for them.”

Oppenheim’s healthy baking eventually expanded beyond her own family, to include cooking classes at senior centers and even a cookbook to help seniors eat better and improve their health.

By the time she matriculated on the Hill, her efforts had earned her a U.S. Congressional Award.

Improving the lives of older adults has continued to be a focus for the Arts & Sciences alum, who has spent decades in various roles in the senior housing industry—a sector she calls “at the intersection of hospitality, healthcare, and real estate.”

Also a Harvard MBA grad, Oppenheim has her own senior housing consulting business and is a frequent contributor to the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures. Cornellians tapped her for insights on the industry. (Conversation has been edited and condensed.)

First off, can you explain the different types of senior housing and what they offer?

There’s a continuum of options, but when it comes to traditional senior housing, people generally think of independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.

They all offer services like dining, housekeeping, laundry, and activities. Then there are services to support ADLs—"activities of daily life," like bathing, dressing, feeding, and toileting—that are introduced in assisted living and also offered in memory care and skilled nursing.

There’s a continuum of options, but when it comes to traditional senior housing, people generally think of independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.

In assisted living, you’re charged a base rent and you pay service fees based on hours of care. But it’s flexible; you continue to pay as your needs escalate.

Then there’s specialized care—like memory care for dementia, which is generally in a locked unit in a secure part of the building.

Is senior housing different from the “55-plus” sector?

That is referred to as “active adult,” which is open to people in their mid-50s but historically attracts those in their early to mid-60s and older.

In states like Florida and New Jersey, they tend to be larger communities with vast clubhouses. The closer you get to major cities, you’ll see smaller, more “urban infill” communities.

The cover of "Snibbles: Nutritional Snacks for Senior Citizens" — As a high schooler, Oppenheim produced a healthy cookbook aimed at older adults.

What about places like Kendal at Ithaca—popular among alumni and former faculty—which have everything from freestanding homes to skilled nursing care?

Those used to be called “continuing care retirement communities,” but now they’re known as “life plan communities.”

There, you’re offered the full continuum of services and care; as people’s needs escalate, they generally move to other parts of the community where the services are provided.

These are very popular, as you can “age in place”—and should you move in with a spouse who has different needs, you can both get the care you need on the same campus.

Overall, is the U.S. prepared to house its senior population?

No—we have a crisis. The Baby Boom could bust senior housing.

With our population of people 80 and older, we’re hitting a point where there’s going to be substantial growth in demand. But in terms of supply, growth is virtually flat. The number of senior housing units that broke ground in 2024 is the fewest since 2014.

So we’re heading into a period of demand that will exceed what we can possibly offer. In some highly sought after communities in very well-located areas, we’re already seeing wait lists expand.

There are wait lists?

Yes—people commonly get on them so the community can call them when there’s a unit available. It might not be interesting to them at the time, or be the type of unit they want. But they can stay at the top of the list, and when their time comes, they’re the first to be called.

We have a crisis. The Baby Boom could bust senior housing. There’s going to be substantial growth in demand—but in terms of supply, growth is virtually flat.

If there’s so much demand, why is growth so flat?

The industry took several years to fully recover from COVID, so many companies that could have built to prepare for the Boomers turning 80 in 2026 were focused on optimizing what they already owned and/or operated.

Further, interest rates are high, labor is more scarce and expensive, and prices of supplies and materials have increased due to tariffs and other factors. There’s also a shortage of developers who are willing to take risks, given the amount of equity a project may require—and when they pencil out new projects, the rates they’d need to charge may be considerably higher than the prices in the current market.

So what can be done?

We’re all trying to figure this out, and we don’t have a good answer yet. I do think there is going to be a revisiting: how do we decouple what we offer and do it in a more attractive, perhaps even affordable way?

For example: can senior housing communities become hubs for meals and activities for older people who—due to limited inventory, unaffordable rates, or just choice—reside in their homes?

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Meredith Oppenheim with her grandmother — A college-aged Oppenheim with her grandmother.

When do people typically move into senior housing?

Historically, this is an industry that deals with very reactionary situations. “My spouse died and I need to move” or “I just fell; I can’t live in my two-story home anymore.”

But the average age of entry is increasing, as people are living longer and staying healthier longer. When I began at Marriott Senior Living, the average age of people moving into independent living was 78 or so; now, it’s more like mid-80s.

What about affordability?

I think many people don’t understand that there is a range of prices; some communities are very expensive and look like five-star hotels, but others are considerably more affordable.

Generally speaking, when seniors sell their home, they use the proceeds to pay for senior living. Nonetheless, nearly 50% of seniors are considered middle-market, and many won’t qualify for affordable HUD-funded housing or be able to pay the high rents of care and service-enriched senior housing.

Historically, this is an industry that deals with very reactionary situations. 'My spouse died and I need to move' or 'I just fell; I can’t live in my two-story home anymore.'

Maybe not every bell and whistle is going to be possible in newer projects. I am currently working with a nonprofit client on a middle-market, moderate-income approach, which requires us to reconsider and reconstitute how we provide care and services.

What’s your advice to people who are considering moving into senior housing in the near or longer term?

If there’s a community that you like, get on the wait list, even if you or your loved one is not ready to move.

Or if you’re not quite ready for traditional senior housing, think of interim steps like active adult, which offers single-level and maintenance-free living, as well as amenities and activities.

Obviously, many people say they want to age in place. For folks who have the option to stay in their homes, what are the advantages of moving?

The stigma of the industry is that you go there to die. And historically, only about 11% of age- and income-qualified people choose senior housing. There’s a misconception that you lose your independence. But by moving, your independence can actually increase.

How so?

For one thing, your responsibilities are minimized. You don’t have to worry, is my home going to be clean? Is my trash going to be taken out? Do I have things like toilet paper?

Meredith Oppenheim shaking hands with a faculty member in a red robe at Cornell Commencement in 1995 — At Commencement ’95.

Can I get to my next doctor’s appointment if I’m not comfortable driving in the dark or the winter? Have I bought the right food to make a healthy meal—and do I want to be bothered cooking?

In senior housing, those concerns go away and peace of mind is possible. Flipping that script is so important—demonstrating the opportunities to increase your freedom and flexibility and to enjoy your life in the company of others, because of these lessened burdens and responsibilities.

What other misconceptions would you like to clear up?

A lot of people who live in senior housing—particularly those in active adult and often in independent living—still drive. Many of them are still working, whether it be paid or volunteer.

A lot of people who live in senior housing—particularly those in active adult and often in independent living—still drive. Many of them are still working, whether it be paid or volunteer.

Another great benefit is that senior housing allows you to just lock your door and go live in another place part time, like over the winter, or to travel a lot.

You mentioned being in the company of others. Do you see the potential for social interaction as a key advantage?

Yes; one resident once equated senior living to me as “cruise ship meets college dorm”—and I vividly remember the fun we had in the U-Halls in the ’90s!

There are lots of opportunities to be social, but you can also stay in your room as much as you want. You can do what you want, on your own terms—to be very engaged or not at all. The choice is yours.

(Top: Illustration by Ashley Osburn / Cornell University; all photos provided.)

Published March 9, 2026