The senior living industry is navigating challenging times- from workforce shortages and rising costs to rapid advances in technology such as AI. Yet, across these challenges lies a clear message: providers don’t just want vendors; they want partners who share their vision and deliver real, lasting value.
At the recent Argentum Senior Living Executive Conference, leaders from StoryPoint, Discovery Senior Living, and Charter Senior Living came together to share candid insights on what they truly need from their vendor relationships. While the conversation centered on senior living, the themes and takeaways echoed across our other key markets as well—including healthcare, multifamily, and hospitality.
Here’s what we learned about what matters most to providers today — and how vendor partners can rise to meet those needs.
1. It’s About Impact, Not Just Products
Providers prioritize solutions that:
- Enhance the resident experience
- Reduce employee burnout and friction
- Support workforce-centered, integrated systems
It’s not enough to offer a product or platform; vendors must deliver outcomes that improve daily life for both residents and staff. This means intuitive tools, smart automation, and seamless integration that simplify workflows and elevate care.
2. Product and Service Value Measured in Impact
How do providers decide if a product or service is worth the investment? The question is no longer just “What does it cost?” but rather “What value does it bring?” Providers look for:
- Solutions that are user friendly for both staff and residents
- Tools that help assess resident needs and track meaningful data
- Vendors who involve frontline users in product selection, driving adoption and success
3. True Partnerships Replace Transactions
Today’s providers want more than a vendor; they want a partner who:
- Shares their values and goals
- Listens and asks thoughtful questions
- Offers pricing flexibility and ongoing support tailored to community size and needs
- Commits to transparency, responsiveness, and alignment on timing
As Tim Bryant from StoryPoint said, “It’s not transactional anymore. It’s transformational. We’re in this together.”
4. Current Challenges Call for Smarter Solutions
Challenges such as workforce shortages, high turnover, tariffs, and inflation demand vendors who are forward thinking. The best vendors help providers navigate these challenges by:
- Providing end-to-end support, anticipating needs before they become problems
- Advocating for providers, helping navigate supply chain disruptions and preparing for tariff impacts
- Offering long-term, scalable solutions that grow with the community
- Using GPO’S and data sharing to help providers make better purchasing decisions
Partnership is the New Priority
Whether in senior living, healthcare, multifamily, or hospitality spaces, the message is clear: success lies in genuine collaboration. Providers need vendor partners who go beyond product features to understand their unique challenges, priorities, and values. Partnerships built on trust, transparency, and shared outcomes will be the foundation of sustainable growth and improved resident experiences.
At Living Revolution, we embrace this philosophy. We’re committed to working alongside providers, listening deeply, and delivering solutions that empower teams, enhance living environments, and foster community wellbeing—today and into the future.
