Episode 18:5 Scott Eckstein on purpose-built environments for senior wellness

Scott Eckstein shares his unique and diverse background creating solutions for an aging planet. Learn about his current roles as Managing Director of Active Living International and Chief Strategy Officer for CiminoCare Care, challenges curating quality care for his aging loved ones, and passion for educating the next generation of senior living providers.

 About Scott

Scott Eckstein has over 30 years of diverse research, analysis, development, operations, and education experience in the senior living space. He has been directly involved in senior living projects throughout the United States, South and Central America, Europe, Africa, and Asia and specializes in providing strategic analysis, acquisitions, development, education, and operations advisory solutions for an aging planet. He is currently the Managing Director for Active Living International, an internationally focused senior living advisory firm, as well as Strategic Advisor for CiminoCare, a California-based middle market senior living operator.

 Eckstein’s senior living experience began in the nascent days of senior housing. He has helped promote the creation of purpose built environments for senior wellness, lifestyles and care as well as having specialized in the creation and operation of a unique range of residential alternatives for the aging population worldwide, from active adult housing through the spectrum to memory care. 

Eckstein has held management positions at numerous senior living operators: Brookdale, Emeritus (now Brookdale), Aegis Living, Sunrise Senior Living and ARV Assisted Living (now Atria).  In addition, he was also the Director of Business Development at WellAWARE Systems (now part of Best Buy), a pioneer in the senior tech space. Eckstein was also, the Director of the Senior Living Program at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration and was a Clinical Assistant Professor and Senior Living Executive in Residence at the Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living in the Carson College of Business at Washington State University (in which whose formation he was actively involved.)

Key Takeaways

• A career in senior living and aging services is impactful because of the ability to make a difference in people’s lives for a few years rather than a few days in a hotel or resort. There are incredible opportunities, but the industries don’t market themselves well.
• Active adult (55+) communities serve a younger age bracket needing minimal care. The category overlaps with wellness real estate and intergenerational housing. Independent living adds care services and attracts people in their late 70s and 80s.
• One of the biggest problems in the active adult housing market is residents don’t want to leave as they age and need higher levels of care. In the United States, you can't push people out legally.
• The biggest challenges in senior living are related to management, leadership, training, and culture. They are intricately related.
• The silent generation and baby boomers are focused on wellness and technology, so senior living communities are incorporating Centers for Healthy Living with massage rooms, fitness equipment and aging-related retail. Most communities offer telehealth post covid, and some offer a tech concierge.
• The most important questions to ask an assisted living community before signing on the dotted line include the turnover of team members and the training they receive, the flexible (or lack of) of the dining options. Dining is the major issue beyond care.