Benjamin Hoover, Care Center Administrator at Vi Living, has been named a 2025 Future Leader by Senior Housing News.
To become a Future Leader, an individual is nominated by their peers. The candidate must be a high-performing employee who is 40 years of age or younger, a passionate worker who knows how to put vision into action, and an advocate for older adults and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.
Hoover sat down with Senior Housing News to share what drew him to the senior housing & senior living industry, the biggest leadership lessons he has learned, his thoughts on the future of senior housing & senior living, and much more. To learn more about the Future Leaders Awards program, visit https://futureleaders.wtwhmedia.com/.
SHN: What drew you to the senior housing & senior living industry?
Hoover: I began my career in healthcare as a physical therapist, working in many different care environments, including Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) and Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs). Initially, I hadn’t envisioned a long-term path in senior living, but the exposure sparked a genuine interest in the field.
Over time, I transitioned into a leadership role within the SNF setting and, as I grew professionally, I began to feel limited by the scope of rehabilitation and sought opportunities to make a broader impact through administration. I now serve in a leadership role overseeing assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing units within a CCRC, bringing together my clinical background and passion for senior care in a more strategic and impactful way.
SHN: What’s your biggest leadership lesson learned since starting to serve this industry?
Hoover: The biggest leadership lesson I’ve learned is the power of listening with compassion.
Early on, I believed leadership meant having all the answers, but I quickly realized that in this industry, where lives, emotions, and trust are deeply intertwined, the most impactful leaders are those who listen first. Whether it’s patients, families, or frontline staff, truly hearing their concerns and perspectives allows a leader to make informed, empathetic decisions.
By fostering a culture of trust and open communication, I’ve seen how teams become more resilient, innovation takes root, and care outcomes improve.
SHN: If you could change one thing with an eye toward the future of the senior housing & senior living industry, what would it be?
Hoover: It would be to reimagine how we integrate purpose and personalization into every aspect of care and community life.
Too often, senior living is viewed through clinical, operational, and/or regulatory lenses. The future should be about creating environments where older adults don’t just live but thrive. This means designing communities that are not only safe and supportive, but also deeply engaging, and tailored to individual passions, histories, and goals.
By shifting our mindset from care-centered to person-centered, with a strong emphasis on dignity, autonomy, and meaningful connection, we can transform senior living into a vibrant chapter of life, not a final destination.
SHN: In one word, how would you describe the future of senior housing & senior living?
Hoover: Empowerment.
SHN: If you had a crystal ball, what do you think will impact the senior housing & senior living industry now and into 2026?
Hoover: I’d say the senior housing and senior living industry will be shaped by a demographic shift of a rising senior population (Baby Boomers), the integration of technology (AI, analytics, etc.), and care expectations.
SHN: In your opinion, what qualities must all Future Leaders possess?
Hoover: In my opinion, the most essential quality all Future Leaders must possess is empathy. It’s the foundation for building trust, fostering collaboration, and making decisions that truly serve people, whether in healthcare, business, or any other field. Empathetic leaders listen deeply, understand diverse perspectives, and lead with both heart and strategy.
SHN: If you could give advice to yourself looking back to your first day in the senior housing & senior living industry, what would it be and why?
Hoover: Take the time to truly understand the live experiences of residents, families, and team members.
Every interaction is an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact, no matter how minuscule it may seem at the moment. The industry is complex and deeply human, success comes not from knowing everything, but from being open, adaptable, and committed to serving others.
The post Future Leader: Benjamin Hoover, Care Center Administrator, Vi Living appeared first on Senior Housing News.
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