HOUSTON–The past five years have seen a shift in healthcare toward leaner facilities design. For example, more micro-hospitals –small-scale inpatient facilities with eight to 15 short-stay beds-are popping up these days in an industry dominated by megahospitals. Nineteen states and counting now have at least one micro-hospital.

In addition to hospital downsizing, a shift in senior living toward smaller communities is taking place, and, due to consumer demand and rampant retirement insecurity, there's an anticipated shift toward micro-sizing individual units within assisted living facilities.

Smaller Footprint, Lasting Impression

Micro-hospitals are fully licensed hospitals that meet a need not met by urgent care
centers or freestanding emergency departments, neither of which offers inpatient care. Looking to fill a niche, micro-hospitals generally offer services in accordance with community needs.

Micro-hospitals have been described as “no-frills” facilities and are often positioned as a way to cut healthcare costs. At the same time, they offer patients the promise of a premium experience through personalized care. Industry experts claim that the smaller hospital format fosters patient satisfaction and better outcomes.

A Real House, Not a Warehouse, for Seniors

Seniors these days don't want to live in what has been labeled as “geezer ghettos,” nor will they settle for institutional-looking living facilities. Increasingly, assisted living services are being offered in residential care facilities, located in converted homes with onsite or live-in caretakers and anywhere from two to 10 residents. They provide for a homey environment within a traditional neighborhood. Moreover, a smaller community and care-provider-to-resident ratio allow homes to cater to distinct needs and demographics, such as shared dietary restrictions or religious affiliations.