Reflections from EFA 2026 in Phoenix, AZ
The Environments for Aging Conference, held in Phoenix from March 16–18, 2026, had a slightly different feel this year. The schedule was more condensed than in previous years, and instead of beginning on a weekend, it kicked off on a Monday. Even with the adjusted format, the conference once again reinforced why attending matters. This year, AG Architecture sent five team members, including one first-time attendee, because we strongly believe in the value of the conference as a source of learning, inspiration, and connection.
Why I Attend EFA
I am often asked whether conferences are worth the time and expense. In the world of architecture, especially when designing environments for older adults, change happens quickly. New products, evolving operational methods, and innovations in the physical environment appear constantly through publications, newsletters, articles, and emails. A conference like EFA offers an opportunity to encounter many of those ideas in one concentrated three-day experience.
I have attended the Environments for Aging Conference regularly since its inception many years ago. I have always described it as a conference that is large enough to meet new people and discover new ideas, yet small enough that you never feel lost in the crowd.
1. Plentiful Networking
The networking opportunities are always plentiful. Ironically, some of the most valuable interactions do not happen only at formal events, but in the in-between moments, walking to sessions, pausing in hallways, or reconnecting spontaneously with people you have seen at previous conferences. In many ways, the conference feels like a professional reunion, with conversations that blend updates on both work and life.
2. Valuable Education
The educational sessions are equally valuable. There is something satisfying about earning a strong number of continuing education units in just a few days rather than spreading them out across countless lunch-and-learns. More importantly, I can always count on learning something new. The multidisciplinary perspectives of the presenters provide insight not only into the physical environment but also into operations, culture, and marketing. As a contemporary architect, it is essential to understand all aspects of the Model of Place, not just the built environment, but also the human factors that shape experience for residents, staff, and families.
3. Celebrating Senior Living with SAGE
For me, the conference always seems to truly begin with the opening reception and the Society for the Advancement of Gerontological Environments (SAGE) member reception. I have been a SAGE member and advocate since 1998, and those first-night gatherings are always a meaningful chance to reconnect with colleagues and meet new people before the pace of the conference fully takes hold.
4. Inspiring Resources
Another essential part of the conference is the trade show. It provides the opportunity to speak directly with vendors and suppliers involved in every aspect of senior living environments. I always enjoy the hands-on nature of the exhibit hall, sitting in chairs, trying resident lifts, and even sampling food prepared with the latest equipment. It is a reminder that finishes, furnishings, fixtures, and equipment all contribute to the story of a well-designed senior living community.
EFA 2026 Highlights
It is difficult to explain to someone who has never attended a full day of conference sessions just how mentally demanding it can be. People sometimes wonder why sitting through several one-hour presentations feels exhausting, but the intensity comes from staying engaged, processing new information, and making connections between ideas.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The day began at 8:00 a.m. with a keynote on the power of play and intergenerational engagement, an especially relevant topic as senior living communities continue seeking ways to create richer intergenerational experiences in everyday life.
Throughout the day, sessions covered a wide range of issues. I always find the EFA Design Showcase awards especially engaging because they highlight projects at the forefront of innovation. The Remodel/Renovation competition review is equally valuable, particularly as the senior living industry continues to wrestle with a large inventory of aging buildings that no longer fully support contemporary operations or expectations.
One of my personal highlights was the session on master planning and creating the path to a successful senior living project, led by Jeffrey Anderzhon and Melissa Pritchard. Their presentation offered valuable insight into both process and strategy, and they reinforced their ideas through case studies showing how a phased master planning approach can be thoughtfully integrated over time. Master planning remains essential to the long-term health of any community, and it must happen early, before market competition intensifies, environments become outdated, and a community begins to feel financial strain.
Evening receptions are always enjoyable, but they also come with an important lesson: a conference is a marathon, not a sprint. It is wise to pace yourself, because the next day’s 8:00 a.m. sessions arrive quickly.
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Wednesday kicked off with the AIA Design for Aging breakfast and discussion, featuring a multidisciplinary panel on innovations in senior living. It was a helpful reminder that the best ideas often emerge when multiple perspectives are brought into the same conversation.
The SAGE session focused on a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) and, as always, was thoughtful and informative. It was expertly led by Migette Kaup and Amy Carpenter. The POE evaluation of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe (FSST) Care Center in Flandreau, South Dakota, is also available as a white paper through the SAGE website.
Many other sessions offered insights too numerous to capture fully here, but one thing was consistently clear: the strongest presentations approached their subjects from a multidisciplinary point of view.
What is the value of the EFA conference?
Simply put, it is money well spent. It offers a strong return on investment, not just in continuing education, but in renewed perspective, fresh ideas, and meaningful professional relationships. Philosophically, I believe that as professionals, we owe it to our industry, our clients, and the people who inhabit the environments we design to keep learning. We are stewards of the physical environment, and every opportunity to deepen our understanding should be seized. The Environments for Aging Conference remains one of the best places to do exactly that.
I am already looking forward to next year. See you at EFA 2027 in Charlotte, NC!
Andrew Alden, AIA, NCARB, is a Senior Associate at AG Architecture. Raised in a family where he was the youngest of three and his father was the youngest of 11, he naturally gained an understanding of the issues facing older adults from his interactions with extended family. As a result, he developed a strong personal motivation to improve the lives of older adults. Over the past 25 years, he has specialized in designing for older adults with an emphasis on creating environments that span the continuum of care.