Get to Know Your Future Customer Now Before the Healthcare System Runs Out of Time and Resources to Care

PART 1. WINTER 2025

Healthcare leaders Meredith Oppenheim and Jon Warner emphasize the urgent need to reform healthcare before it collapses under the weight of an aging population and unsustainable costs. Drawing on Oppenheim’s pioneering work in senior housing and healthy aging and Warner’s
extensive expertise in healthcare and healthspan innovation, they outline ten transformative strategies to shift from an outdated, illness-driven model to a proactive, health-centered framework. As the first in a two-part series, this article introduces a framework to not only reduce costs, but
redefine aging — prioritizing vitality, independence, and purpose. This is more than reform; it is a bold blueprint for a resilient future.

INTRODUCTION
With Medicare in the US set to deplete its funding by 2036, we are running out of both time and money. Our healthcare system has to transform, and a focus on proactive wellness must be at the forefront of every healthcare leader’s strategy. Without this shift, we risk unsustainable costs, more
clinician burnout, and diminished patient outcomes, further burdening an already strained system.

As populations age and chronic conditions escalate, healthcare organizations should prioritize wellness to reduce the long-term burden on the system. Maintaining health in older age requires intentional focus on lifestyle factors — diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep — yet many neglect these critical areas, especially as they age. The result is higher healthcare costs, increased demand for long-term care, and poorer quality of life. Proactive intervention can address these issues early, improving health outcomes at all stages of life, and reducing long-term costs.

A forward-thinking wellness strategy should include:

-Long-term care planning: Ensuring resources are available to support aging populations, including integrated care models.

-Aging-in-place solutions: Enabling seniors to live independently and safely at home with access to valuable and vital services.

-Senior living and community-based care: Expanding access to models that integrate wellness and healthcare services.

-Chronic disease prevention and management: Promoting early intervention, weight management, and much more preventive monitoring and care.

-Supplemental and reimagined insurance solutions: Filling coverage gaps to ensure seniors receive the care they need.

-AI and data analytics: Leveraging AI to predict health risks, personalize care plans, and optimize decision-making for proactive wellness management.

By adopting data-driven strategies, powered by AI, healthcare stakeholders of all sizes and types can improve outcomes, reduce costs, and create new revenue streams through value-based care models. These technologies enable more efficient resource allocation and better decision-making, addressing both current and future wellness needs.

GUIDELINES
The following ten guidelines provide a strategic framework for healthcare leaders to drive sustainable, patient-centered care models that enhance wellness and deliver measurable impact.

Out with the OLD, In with the NEW
The status quo is a no-no. More than any generation before it, the current Boomer population (born between 1945 and 1963) is demanding that businesses, governments, and society adjust to their unique needs and desires — and they will push hard to make it happen. This generation isn’t waiting for permission. To meet their expectations, we must adopt new languages, new approaches, and new concepts. The old ways of doing things simply won’t work for this new generation of seniors.

Prevention is the Best Medicine, Fun is #1
Older adults want more than just doctor visits — they want lives filled with excitement, engagement, and fun. This generation is committed to staying healthy and active, not just managing disease. Whether it is travel, fitness, or enjoying life’s simple pleasures, they’re ready to embrace strategies
that help them stay strong and vital for as long as possible. After all, no one dreams of a life filled with doctors’ appointments and medications. They want to live a life by design, not by default.

My Own Time, My Own Dime: Routine is a Dream
Older adults are experiencing more time and financial freedom than ever, and they expect services that respect their independence and fit into their dynamic lives. They want flexibility, not just fixed solutions. Boomers have always lived life on their own terms, and aging won’t change that. While they may appreciate structure, they value managing their health on their schedule. Whether through virtual check-ins or tech to manage health challenges, healthcare providers must offer accessible, responsive options that empower them to take control of their health and well-being.

Going Beyond Getting the Fit Fitter
Improvement isn’t just for the already fit — it is also about engaging those who are less active or more challenging to manage, especially as chronic conditions become more common. We need a healthcare system that motivates and supports not only the active, but also the individuals who are
harder to engage and more costly to care for. This isn’t about quick fixes or longevity hacks; it’s about breaking the cycle of illness through evidence-based solutions and preventive care. The ultimate goal is to help people live with vitality, no matter what their starting point.

Make a Wearable Bearable
Wearable tech has tremendous potential but needs to be comfortable, easy to use, and most importantly, consumer-centered. For older adults, wearables shouldn’t just collect data — they should provide understandable and actionable insights that help manage health and improve well-being.
Comfort and ease of use are key, but there is also the power of data. Devices that track health metrics can empower patients and their caregivers to make smarter decisions. And this information must be accessible not just to doctors but to patients themselves, giving them greater control over their health.

GO Costco: A Model of Great Service and Great Pricing
Why has Costco become a go-to for older adults? Beyond offering affordable drugs, hearing aids, glasses, and even travel and gas, Costco’s commitment to competitive pricing keeps customers loyal. Even though many seniors don’t need to buy in bulk, they appreciate the value Costco provides. With its friendly, low-pressure approach and a no-hassle return policy, Costco understands the importance of treating older adults respectfully and offering services that make a meaningful difference. Proof it can be done, and healthcare organizations can emulate the approach at scale. Don’t forget the free samples.

Tonics for Chronics: Shifting from Sickness to Wellness
The legacy healthcare system has profited from treating sickness, but this model is unsustainable. It is time to shift toward wellness by embracing evidence-based approaches that go beyond traditional care. Doctors and the platforms they use — like AI — must be well-versed in these alternatives, helping patients manage multiple chronic conditions more effectively. No one wants to take more prescriptions and suffer from side effects. Patients need solutions that empower them to improve their health without relying on a lifetime of medications.

I’ve Fallen, and I CAN Get Up
The Boomer generation has been trained for resilience — getting back up after setbacks. This resilience translates into embracing state-of-the-art interventions like hip and knee replacements, which offer a new lease on life. These technologies empower older adults to live actively, even after injuries that once led to long-term decline. The focus should be on empowering recovery, not just managing illness. Aging isn’t about surviving but thriving with innovative solutions that enhance mobility and quality of life, enabling individuals to live fully and independently.

Men: Performance, Women: Vitality
Men and women approach aging differently. Men often focus on performance — pushing through challenges or seeking the latest longevity hacks. Women, however, often see aging through the lens of vitality: prioritizing engagement, fulfillment, and connection with others. It is not about living the longest but living in the best possible way in the circumstances. Men may need to embrace this broader perspective of aging, shifting from “toughing it out” to adopting practices that promote holistic well-being, balancing performance with purpose and vitality for a fuller life.

Community is an Opportunity
The importance of community becomes essential as older adults seek to maintain independence and dignity. While families play a key role, local and virtual networks of friends and caregivers are critical to providing the support needed. Studies reveal that 85% of seniors want to age in place, yet they cannot do so without robust social and practical resources. More flexible and innovative senior housing offers a powerful solution by fostering connection, actively combating loneliness, and providing built-in social networks that enhance well-being. Communities that prioritize effective systems of care, companionship, and connection empower older adults to thrive and maintain a fulfilling quality of life.

SUMMARY & CALL TO ACTION
As we look to the future, healthcare leaders must recognize that the current system — primarily focused on treating illness — can no longer meet the evolving needs of an aging population. While AI and advanced technology offer powerful tools, they cannot replace the care that is the foundation of
truly impactful healthcare. We must shift from a reactive, illness-driven model to a wellness-focused, proactive system that empowers individuals to live healthier, longer lives. This approach isn’t just about managing chronic diseases; it is about helping people thrive. By integrating value-based care, we can align financial incentives with the goal of improving health outcomes, lowering costs, and, most importantly, delivering the care patients deserve.

At this critical juncture, we’re here to help you lead the transformation. If you’re ready to move beyond traditional healthcare and embrace a wellness-centered approach driven by value-based care, we want to be part of your solution. While AI can support better care, there is still an irreplaceable need for human expertise and empathy — ensuring that care is not only efficient but compassionate. AI can provide insights, but it is the empathy and human connection that turn those insights into meaningful,
personalized care. By partnering with us, you can bring care back into healthcare — creating personalized, compassionate, and sustainable solutions that empower patients, improve outcomes, and strengthen your organization. Together, we can build a future where healthcare truly serves to empower vitality and improve lives.

In Part 2 of this series, we will build on the ten guidelines outlined above, offering actionable strategies that healthcare and wellness organizations can prescribe to foster lasting change and nurture a healthier future.

CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INQUIRIES
Meredith Oppenheim and Jon Warner
meredith@vitality-society.com and optimaljon@gmail.com

Meredith Oppenheim has 25 years of experience in the senior housing industry, working with leading owners and operators to drive meaningful improvements, including authoring a white paper for the American Senior Housing Association. She is the founder of Vitality Society™, a virtual senior community featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and on ABC, Fox, and NBC, celebrated for its transformative impact on those aged 60 and better. A recipient of the US Congressional Award for her service to seniors, Meredith has served on Mayor Bloomberg’s Age-Friendly Commission & the NYC Department of Aging board. As a trusted advisor to governments and companies globally, she has presented at SXSW and Harvard Business School, where she graduated and contributed to a senior housing case study. She is also a graduate of Cornell University and a visiting lecturer for the Cornell Institute of Healthy Futures.

Jon Warner is a business and health/healthcare expert, having led several
organizations and founded and led three startups (with two successful exits). Jon works from a California base to mentor disruptive startups and early-stage companies, especially in innovation and technology deployment, mainly in healthcare and wellness. He is also the Executive Chair of Citizen Health Strategies, an organization helping healthcare stakeholders to put consumers at the center of the health and wellness journey. Warner is a noted speaker at businesses, colleges and conferences across the world. He is also a prolific author, having published several books concerning business, management, leadership, innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Part 2 of this article can be found at https://optimaljon.medium.com/from-silver-to-gold-strategies-to-ensure-a-vibrant-future-for-all-generations-0968b28d0933