Celebrating Changemakers 2025: Meet Ken Young

By Amy Reinholds on August 25, 2025 in News Senior Living

We’re closing out the 2025 Changemakers series with a final feature on a leader who redefines what senior living can be. This annual series honors industry leaders who push beyond traditional boundaries to reimagine the future of senior living.

For seven consecutive years, we’ve sponsored this in-depth interview series, presented by Senior Housing News. This year, the series showcases a broad and dynamic mix of nine changemakers across the industry. We’re honored to spotlight their transformative efforts.

Ken Young, president and CEO of United Church Homes (UCH), shares insights about aging in place, service coordination programs and middle-market senior living. UCH is a nonprofit senior living provider that operates across the full care continuum. Young left a law firm partnership 20 years ago to join UCH as general counsel. He discusses wraparound services and the importance of wellness, social connection and purpose in senior living communities.

See the following highlights or read the full interview with Senior Housing News (SHN).

Meet Changemaker Ken Young

SHN: In what ways do you think the senior living industry is changing right now?

Young: The industry is shifting toward aging in place, with 90% of seniors preferring to stay home (AARP). NaviGuide, our personalized service coordination program, helps reduce residential care needs by connecting seniors to healthcare and community resources.

We’re also seeing more tech integration, like telehealth and a focus on affordability through middle-market housing. Also, a faster pace of change driven by evolving customer expectations requires operators to be nimble.

SHN: In what ways can senior living companies change the public’s perception of the industry?

Young: Highlighting programs like NaviGuide and middle-market housing counters institutional stereotypes, showing how we enable independence. Personalized media campaigns with vibrant resident stories can redefine senior living as a partner in connection and quality of life in addition to the quality of care that is provided.

SHN: Pretend the senior living industry is a streaming service. What movie or television series best describes the industry right now? And if you could change to a new movie or television series, what would it be and why?

Young: Now it’s The Amazing Race — fast-paced, adapting to challenges like NaviGuide, middle-market efforts and continuous operational improvement in our licensed health care. I’d shift to This Is Us, emphasizing belonging and growth, reflecting a future where senior living embraces deep, meaningful support for all.

Thank you to the 2025 Changemakers

It’s been an honor to learn about the work of these trailblazing leaders in senior living.

Want to meet all nine of the changemakers? Learn how they’re reshaping senior living to address future demand and the needs of tomorrow’s residents. Read more on the Senior Housing News Changemakers page and shared on The Balance Sheet.