Older adults are sharing their living space alongside college students in a senior living community designed to fight loneliness in the two generations.
S2age Living, an independent living building on Tabitha’s main senior living and care campus in Lincoln, NE, now is home to adults aged 55 or more years as well as students form nearby Bryan College of Health Sciences. The S2 stands for seniors and students.
S2age Living Director Susan Langford told McKnight’s Senior Living that Tabitha conducted much research to evaluate needs of older adults and college students, which she said are “two of the most lonely populations.” The company worked with Klaatch, which creates programs for senior living operators and service providers to increase social connections and reduce loneliness.
“If you’re looking for a community of support, both from peers and other generations, this is a wonderful experience,” Langford said.
The 150,000-square-foot building contains 118 apartments and common areas designed to make socializing easy for all residents. The building now has 50 older adult residents and 14 student residents. The residency goal is to have 100 older adults and 18 students, which the provider expects to reach by June 2025, more than a year ahead of schedule.
S2age Living was inspired by Tabitha donor and construction company owner Chris Brester, who saw an apartment building he built in Omaha become a natural home to both older adults and college students, according to LeadingAge. In 2018, he shared his idea with former Tabitha President and CEO Christie Hinrichs, and the research and planning began. A major capital campaign was launched in 2021 and raised $9.5 million, enabling construction to begin in 2022. The building was completed in December, when the first residents moved in.
The building has a large community kitchen, an “Innovation Studio” with computers, tablets, smartboards, TVs and classroom-style tables; outdoor areas including pathways, green spaces and patios; an open-air rooftop terrace with a sound system, TV, fire pit and heaters; a yoga studio; a gym with wellness technology and equipment; and a salon.
Tabitha actively encourages socialization through weekly programming, and students are required to attend one community activity per month. Events include arts and crafts classes, field trips, guest speakers, and presentations on health topics for older adults by the health sciences students.
Bryan College and Langford interview students to ensure that the community is a good fit for them. The college contributes $250 monthly stipends to students, who live there on a month-to-month basis. Student residents, most of whom are certified nursing assistants, also can earn an additional stipend by working in Tabitha’s main long-term care building.
Langford said that the provider is working on building the community and solidifying the model, which is less than one year old, and she said she is excited to see what the future holds.
