Bridging Generations in Senior Living with Chiriga Ofori

What happens when you bring together seniors and young adults with special needs under one roof? In this episode, Melissa Brown sits down with Chiriga Ofori, CEO of Kinbridge at Oviedo, to explore her groundbreaking intergenerational assisted living model.

Chiriga shares how her personal journey as a caregiver inspired her to reimagine senior living, blending wisdom, energy, and support across generations. From creating meaningful connections and combating isolation to making the greenhouse small-home model operationally sustainable, she reveals how Kinbridge is building true community.

If you’re a senior living operator, healthcare professional, or just curious about new approaches to person-centered care, you’ll walk away with insights, inspiration, and practical advice.

Transcript

GHH 60: Bridging Generations in Senior Living with Chiriga Ofori

Melissa Brown (Host):
Hello, everyone. Welcome back to Gravity Healthcare Hacks. Today we’re talking about a truly unique and thought-provoking model of senior living. I’m excited to introduce our guest, Chiriga Ofori, CEO of Kinbridge at Oviedo — a person-centered assisted living community that brings seniors and adults with disabilities together under one roof. Welcome, Chiriga.

Chiriga Ofori (Guest):
Hi, Melissa. Thank you so much for having me.

Melissa:
I’ve been looking forward to this conversation. To start, could you tell us a little about yourself and how you came into the senior living space?

Chiriga:
Of course. I’m a registered nurse with a background in both healthcare and community development. I’ve always been passionate about creating supportive environments for seniors and young adults with special needs. In 2018, we started group homes in Volusia, Orange, and Pinellas counties in Florida. What I began to notice was that many of the same challenges faced by young adults with special needs also existed in senior communities. That realization shifted my focus into the senior living space.

Melissa:
That’s fascinating. What makes Kinbridge different from a typical assisted living community?

Chiriga:
Most people think of assisted living as serving only seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s. At Kinbridge, our mission is to bridge the gap between seniors and young adults with special needs. We create a family-like environment where both groups live, learn, and thrive together.

Melissa:
I love that. Often people working in this industry have a personal connection that inspires them. Do you?

Chiriga:
Yes. My mother went through breast cancer, and I was her sole caregiver. That experience drove me deeper into healthcare. My first career was in business development, but nursing became my second. Combining those two passions, I created a business model that integrates care and community. In our early homes, we saw residents as young as 18 and as old as 60 thrive together. Many don’t realize that assisted living regulations allow residents as young as 18, so there’s a real opportunity to serve both younger and older adults in need.

Melissa:
So your community isn’t only for young adults with special needs — it also serves older adults with typical assisted living needs?

Chiriga:
Exactly. We serve both populations. Seniors may come to us for dementia, Alzheimer’s, or general care needs. We integrate them with younger residents who benefit from support as well. The result is a model that works beautifully for both generations.

Melissa:
What have you seen in terms of how these groups connect?

Chiriga:
The relationships have been incredible. Seniors bring life experience and wisdom. Young adults bring energy, technology skills, and a desire for connection. Seniors often take on nurturing roles, while younger adults gain role models and life skills. We’ve seen bonds form around shared activities, patience, compassion, and mutual respect.

Melissa:
That’s powerful. I imagine this intergenerational approach also combats isolation.

Chiriga:
Absolutely. Both groups are often at risk for loneliness and depression. By integrating them, we create new purpose, liveliness, and connection. Seniors share their wisdom, while younger adults bring fresh perspectives. Everyone benefits.

Melissa:
I understand Kinbridge also uses a small-house, greenhouse-style model. Why did you choose that?

Chiriga:
It’s difficult to do, but it makes a difference. Smaller home environments let us truly know our residents — their likes, dislikes, routines, and body language. It creates safety, health, and deep social connection. And operationally, we’ve made it work by being careful stewards of our finances, partnering with community stakeholders, and involving volunteers. It’s not the typical large-facility model, but it results in better outcomes.

Melissa:
Can you share a real-life example of how this intergenerational model works in practice?

Chiriga:
One of our favorites is technology. Seniors often struggle with FaceTime or email, but our young adults love teaching them. Suddenly the roles reverse — younger residents feel pride in helping, and older residents gain confidence and connection with family. These kinds of exchanges happen daily and create deep bonds.

Melissa:
That’s wonderful. What are the benefits of shared routines and mutual support between generations?

Chiriga:
Younger adults sometimes struggle with routines and patience. Seniors help them slow down, build habits, and even practice skills like interviewing and budgeting. On the flip side, younger residents bring energy and teach new skills. Together they find balance, and both groups grow.

Melissa:
Many providers talk about person-centered care. How does Kinbridge bring that vision to life?

Chiriga:
For us, it’s about truly knowing each resident — their medical needs, their personal likes and dislikes, and their goals. We hold “Circle of Support” meetings where residents share what works for them, what doesn’t, and what they want to see. It’s not just about us deciding what’s best. It’s about listening and co-creating care with them.

Melissa:
I love that. What advice would you give to senior living operators who want to explore intergenerational care?

Chiriga:
Prioritize relationships. This is not an easy industry, so you need passion, compassion, and a willingness to individualize your program. Do your homework. Understand what your community needs and how you can contribute. And always build trust, respect, and genuine quality of care.

Melissa:
What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in this journey?

Chiriga:
The power of connection. People can tell when you’re genuine. Connecting with residents, staff, and community stakeholders makes all the difference. And if you can’t meet someone’s needs, be honest and connect them with someone who can.

Melissa:
That’s fantastic advice. Chiriga, thank you for sharing your story and your work at Kinbridge. It’s inspiring to see how you’re redefining assisted living.

Chiriga:
Thank you, Melissa. It was a pleasure.

Melissa:
And thank you to all our listeners for joining us. If you’d like to continue the conversation, you can find both Chiriga and me on LinkedIn. Don’t forget to subscribe to Gravity Healthcare Hacks. Remember — it’s not just what you know, but how you apply it that makes the difference. See you next time.