Designing for Person-Directed Care: From Culture Change to Built Form
May 19 | 1-2pm ET | Earn 1 LU/HSW
Description
Senior living design is at a pivotal moment. Traditional institutional models are increasingly out of step with the evolving expectations of elders, families, care teams, and workforce sustainability. AgingIN—an international nonprofit and the evolution of Pioneer Network and The GREEN HOUSE® Project—is leading this shift toward small house, person-directed living and empowered cultures across all long-term care settings, including assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and home care.
By understanding AgingIN’s mission, services, and evidence-informed practices, design professionals can collaborate more effectively with senior living providers to explore small house models and to create spaces that reflect the lived experience of older adults and support a workforce empowered to deliver high-quality care. This presentation will help design professionals recognize key principles of person-directed living, translate them into thoughtful design strategies, and build collaborative relationships that elevate project outcomes.
Participants will gain insight into AgingIN’s role as a global nonprofit helping to dismantle institutional models in favor of dignity-centered, people-first care practices. This presentation will equip the design community with knowledge of practical tools and frameworks they can reference in collaborative design processes.
Learning Objectives
- Learn how to advance person-directed living and culture transformation across senior living environments.
- Translate principles of person-directed care into design imperatives that enhance quality of life for residents and strengthen workforce well-being.
- Demonstrate how to collaborate effectively with senior living clients during planning and design phases to co-create environments that reflect both emerging care paradigms and market expectations for meaningful living experiences.
- Identify key services and resources AgingIN offers that support operational excellence, culture change, and evidence-based practice in senior care.
Speakers
Kathleen Goff
Kathleen Goff is Strategic Initiatives Leader at AgingIN, building partnerships with organizations, companies, and thought leaders aligned with its mission. She advances collaboration and partnerships with service providers, technology leaders, and innovators who support person-directed living. Kathleen is also an Associate Principal with Davinci Development Collaborative, helping clients create innovative, operationally and financially viable senior living environments across the continuum of care.
With over 35 years of experience in senior living design, she previously served as Director of Strategic Initiatives at RLPS Architects and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from California State University, Long Beach.
Rachel Graham
Rachel Graham is a Project Coach at AgingIN and a Registered Dietitian with over a decade of leadership experience in Green House and person-directed care settings. She helps aging services organizations strengthen daily practices, food systems, team culture, and resident-directed living through practical, real-world approaches. Previously, Rachel served as a culinary leader, clinician, Guide, and educator in a South Florida Green House community, advancing person-directed dining and empowered teams. As a former family caregiver, she brings a deeply personal perspective. Rachel specializes in nutrition, dining innovation, and coaching teams to create meaningful, resident-directed improvements in care and quality of life.