Elevating Senior Living Design in Delaware, Maryland & Virginia – Historic Charm Meets Innovation

The mid-Atlantic region is on the cusp of a senior living transformation – and the time to act is now. Delaware’s 65+ population is projected to grow by over 40% from 2020 to 2040¹, and Virginia’s senior population is on track to nearly double by 2040². Maryland, too, is seeing steady growth in older adults. This surge isn’t just from longtime locals; it’s fueled in part by an influx of retirees drawn by the region’s moderate four-season climate, rich history, and tax advantages. Delaware even ranked #1 nationally as a retirement relocation destination, with 31.1% of inbound movers citing retirement as their top reason for moving³. 

For many retirees, the draw goes beyond weather and finances. The region offers year-round access to nature, opportunities for lifelong learning through museums and historic sites, and a network of clubs, field trips, and community events that keep residents active and engaged. The “silver tsunami” is bringing a more diverse and discerning demographic with distinct preferences, from hospitality-style amenities to meaningful connection with local culture. The pressure is mounting for providers to expand capacity, modernize environments, and design communities that directly align with those expectations. 

From the Chesapeake Bay shorelines to the Blue Ridge Mountains, seniors and their families are seeking spaces that honor local character while offering the contemporary amenities and wellness-focused design they’ve come to expect. At Direct Supply Aptura®, we’re helping partners across Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia meet this demand with tailored strategies that reflect each community’s unique identity, resident priorities, and long-term goals – never one-size-fits-all solutions.  

Why This Region Needs Strategic Senior Living Design 

Rising Demand, Increasing Complexity: The mid-Atlantic is in the midst of a demographic sea change. With senior populations projected to surge by roughly 50% in the coming 15–20 years, providers face a dual challenge: growing capacity while ensuring new and existing communities offer engaging, safe, and marketable environments. Communities that once catered to an older generation are now reevaluating how to remain competitive – reimagining everything from care models to amenity spaces. The stakes are high: tomorrow’s seniors expect more choice and higher quality, and meeting those expectations is essential for both mission and margin. 

Attracting a New Generation of Residents: This region isn’t just aging in place; it’s also drawing a wave of incoming retirees. Delaware’s low taxes and mild climate, for example, have made it a magnet for East Coast retirees³, while many older adults are relocating to Maryland and Virginia to be closer to family or to access world-class healthcare hubs in Baltimore and the D.C. area. These newcomers (and native boomers alike) bring new expectations for hospitality-style amenities, access to nature and wellness, and environments that feel more like home than healthcare. Communities need design partners who know how to translate these expectations into physical spaces that support both lifestyle and care. 

Navigating Growth in Diverse Geographies: Whether you’re building in a beachside Delaware town, a dense Baltimore suburb, or the foothills of rural Virginia, every community in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia has its own character and constraints. Zoning, state licensing requirements, and architectural vernacular all vary from place to place. Aptura helps navigate that complexity, balancing national senior living design expertise with on-the-ground insight into local architecture, community norms, and state-specific regulations. The goal is a design that not only looks fantastic on day one but also functions smoothly within each state’s codes and each locale’s culture. 

Local Projects. Proven Results. 

When it comes to designing senior living in this region, experience matters – but so does local understanding. Choose a design partner that is connected and listening to operators, community leaders, and especially the seniors who will live and work in these spaces. One recent project, Foulk Senior Living in Wilmington, DE, highlights how a thoughtful, collaborative approach can translate vision into value for a community. 

Case Study: Foulk Living

Nestled in a wooded residential enclave just north of Wilmington, Foulk Living is a full-service rental CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) that underwent a top-to-bottom interior transformation in 2024. The operator, Life Care Services (LCS), needed a partner to revitalize this legacy community’s interiors – bringing a fresh, marketable look that would appeal to today’s active seniors while staying on budget, honoring the area’s heritage, and improving daily wellness for residents. Aptura stepped in to help make that vision a reality. 

We managed every phase of Foulk’s interior design and FF&E renovation, starting with deep research into the local context and resident expectations. The resulting design reflects both place and purpose. Historic Delaware charm was blended with playful modern touches: original wood moldings and trim were refinished and paired with updated finishes; walls were coated in warm, sophisticated neutrals; and floors were upgraded with herringbone and wood-look patterns – adding classic detail reminiscent of local historic homes. At the same time, vibrant fabrics, regional artwork (including imagery of nearby gardens and cultural landmarks), and lively color accents infuse the spaces with energy and a distinct personality. The community’s mantra became “historic modern residential” – a look and feel that is unique to them. 

Equally important, every design choice balanced aesthetics with functionality. Durable materials and age-friendly furnishings were used throughout so that the beautiful new spaces can stand up to daily use. The layout was refined to ensure clear sightlines, easy wayfinding, and accessibility for residents of all mobility levels. Lighting was enhanced for both ambiance and safety. The outcome is an environment that feels bright, welcoming, and homelike – while discreetly supporting the care, safety, and operational needs of a senior living community. 

Amenity spaces received special attention to encourage wellness and engagement. Foulk’s dated dining room was reimagined into an open, inviting restaurant-style space with warm wood-look flooring, updated lighting, and stylish wall coverings. At the heart of the community now lies a vibrant new bistro and bar. By day, it’s a cozy café for morning coffee; by evening, it transforms into a social hub for casual dinners, game nights, and happy hours. Bold local artwork and colorful fabrics make the bistro lively yet elegant, and flexible seating accommodates all ages – it’s as popular with visiting families as with residents. This bistro design even earned Aptura recognition for design excellence, securing a 2023 ASID Bronze Award in the hospitality design category. Elsewhere, a formerly underused sunporch became a beloved four-season room flooded with natural light – offering year-round connection to nature and a quiet nook for reading or family visits. From the lobby to the lounges, each area was planned to support social interaction, wellness activities, and the independent lifestyle Foulk’s residents enjoy, all while reinforcing a sense of local identity and pride. 

“The residents love how bright the renovations make the community look. It’s much more homelike,” says Leslie Johnson, Executive Director of Foulk Living. “They love the colorful, fun theme … it matches our community’s vibe. Foulk Living is fun living. The community is much more comfortable and elegant, and the residents are proud of their home.” Johnson notes that even the dining experience has been elevated – “Our chef is excited to serve more upscale meals in the new bistro and dining rooms, and residents are thrilled with the atmosphere.” 

Foulk Senior Living’s revitalization has been a success by many measures. In addition to glowing resident feedback, the community saw a significant boost in occupancy after reopening – climbing to near 100% occupancy, up from far lower levels prior to renovation. The fresh, hospitality-inspired look has the phones ringing with new interest from prospective residents and families. Operationally, staff report that the redesign has improved wayfinding and day-to-day efficiency. The industry has taken notice as well: beyond the ASID design award, Foulk Living earned “Best Independent Living” and “Best Memory Care” honors in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 ratings. But for us, the real win is helping our partner achieve a community that supports their care philosophy and business goals – and delights the people who call it home – in a fast-changing market. 

Direct Supply completes over 50,000 capital projects across the U.S. every year 

 What does that look like in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia? It begins by recognizing that no two communities – or regions – are the same. Rather than applying a standard design template, we shape each project around your specific goals, resident demographics, and local culture. In a Delaware coastal community, that might mean airy layouts, beach-inspired color palettes, and nautical touches that bring the ocean vibe indoors. In historic Maryland towns, it could involve weaving in colonial-style millwork, regional art, and traditional patterns that locals find familiar and comforting. In the Virginia foothills, it might take the form of lodge-like warmth – natural wood tones, stone textures, and big windows to showcase mountain views. And in the bustling D.C. metro suburbs, a senior community may call for a more contemporary, cosmopolitan style with flexible spaces for diverse activities. Our design team conducts on-the-ground research to understand the architectural vernacular, materials, and visual cues that resonate with your audience. The result is a space that feels not only locally inspired, but also operationally efficient, marketable, and future-ready. 

Let’s Elevate Senior Living in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia 

This region is at a pivotal moment. The wave of retiring Baby Boomers and the changing preferences of seniors are already reshaping the future of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia – and that influence will only grow in the coming decade. It’s both a challenge and an opportunity: to create senior living environments that rise to meet the demand while honoring what makes this region special. The communities here deserve senior living options that are just as welcoming, vibrant, and distinctive as the people and places that call the mid-Atlantic home. 

We see this as an opportunity to help our partners build something truly meaningful. Whether you’re developing a new community in Alexandria, renovating a legacy property in Wilmington, or reimagining your portfolio strategy across the region, our team is here to support you – from big-picture planning to the smallest interior design detail. We know success in this region isn’t about chasing fads or superficial trends – it’s about smart, customized solutions. That might mean creating flexible amenity spaces that adapt to active older adults’ needs, designing secure memory care environments that support dignity and safety, or embedding operational efficiencies that help your staff do their best work. Our process is grounded in understanding what your residents value, what your team needs to operate effectively, and what your business model requires to grow sustainably. 

You don’t need a partner who brings ideas alone. You need one who can turn ideas into action, with insight, experience, and local knowledge to guide the way. Let’s work together to create senior living communities across Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia that reflect the region’s spirit and deliver the performance you need. The opportunity is here – let’s elevate senior living in the mid-Atlantic, together. 

References 

1. Delaware Public Media – “Delaware’s 65+ population projected growth” 
2. Virginia Transportation Research Council – “Virginia senior population projections” 
3. Money Talks News – “Delaware ranked #1 as a retirement relocation destination”