Eric Skedel – Discovery Senior Living

The senior living industry is navigating a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by changing resident expectations, technological advancements and the increasing importance of personalized care and amenities. As the industry has grown, residents now seek much more than basic care and accommodations—they expect an enhanced quality of life with facilities that mirror the conveniences and luxuries they’re accustomed to. For today’s residents, especially baby boomers, senior living is no longer viewed as a mere necessity but as an opportunity for an enriched lifestyle. Consequently, providers are focused on creating vibrant, community-oriented environments with a suite of amenities designed to promote wellness, engagement and social interaction.

Discovery Senior Living, a well-regarded senior living owner/operator, is known for its comprehensive approach to senior care. The company offers various lifestyle options within its family of brands* including independent living, assisted living, and memory care in 38 states. Discovery Senior Living emphasizes a resident-centric model that aims to enrich the lives of seniors by providing a blend of personalized care, engaging lifestyle programs and upscale amenities in thoughtfully designed communities. It is also recognized for its innovative approach to senior living, incorporating technology and wellness-focused services to meet the evolving needs of older adults.

To accomplish those things, Discovery Senior Living relies on accomplished and dedicated leaders like Eric Skedel, vice president of facilities, who oversees an extensive portfolio of over 300 senior living facilities nationwide.

“Our team at Discovery lives by a simple philosophy that we inspect what we expect,” Skedel says.

Different expectations, same approach

Discovery caters to a diverse clientele and a collection of investments partners ranging from publicly traded healthcare REITs to smaller investors who own a single building. Skedel and his team tailor facilities to fit their needs and budgets which are typically dictated by the real estate markets in which they operate. These range from the most high-end properties in areas like Beverly Hills, California, and New York to smaller, more modest facilities in rural areas. Discovery owns brands that operate coast to coast and others that are hyper local offering choice, care, and services to a wide array of seniors. This flexibility is central to Skedel’s vision for the company’s facilities, acknowledging that what works in one market might not make sense in another. The “good, better, best” approach allows Discovery’s buildings to meet the unique demands of each community.

Some units feature basic amenities, such as new carpets, small kitchenettes and dorm-style refrigerators. In contrast, others are equipped with luxury finishes like high-end carpets, walk-in showers and more extensive floor plans for residents who seek and can afford a premium experience. This adaptability keeps Discovery’s properties competitive in a highly dynamic market where amenities like golf simulators, restaurants, and hair salons often serve as deciding factors for prospective residents.

Discovery Senior Living has grown from 80 facilities to over 300 in just a few years. Skedel and his team are focused on a major facilities realignment slated for the first quarter of 2025. This realignment will streamline operations and more cohesively integrate smaller brands into the larger Discovery family. Staying competitive and addressing resident needs are central to this restructuring, as Skedel and his team frequently interact with residents and adjust their approach based on direct feedback.

“Whether that means enhancing amenities, adopting new technologies, or reconfiguring spaces, we aim to elevate the resident experience continually,” Skedel says.

Being a servant leader

Skedel’s leadership responsibilities span multiple brands under the Discovery Senior Living umbrella, including brands that operate their communities with between 30 and 35 facilities each. With a dozen facilities leaders and various regional and divisional directors under his purview, Skedel emphasizes the importance of weekly calls and communication with stakeholders across the company.

His role also includes managing vendor relationships, where he has cultivated partnerships to ensure consistency and quality across all brands and facilities. Systems Technology, for example, is the company’s chosen provider for nurse-call systems, a relationship Skedel has maintained for over a decade. He values the ease and adaptability of wireless systems, which evolve in step with industry advancements. This allows Discovery Senior Living to upgrade as necessary and avoid the risk of outdated technology.

“We rely on our strategic vendor partnerships with national vendors such as Blue Team Restoration, Belfor and Venture GC to support our communities through weather disasters and more,” Skedel notes.

Under Skedel’s leadership, Discovery Senior Living is in a constant “arms race” with competitors. He tackles this challenge by working closely with the sales team to understand the market and explore what other senior living providers offer. Through “mystery shopping” techniques, the sales team collects feedback on amenities and common areas from other facilities, which Skedel uses to guide capital expenditures and make necessary improvements. He ensures that Discovery’s facilities reflect the latest trends while retaining their unique appeal, even if it means customizing different brands and locations to maintain a regional feel.

“This commitment to high standards and personalized service fosters a sense of family within Discovery’s communities, which we believe is crucial to our success,” Skedel says.

Skedel’s leadership style is rooted in servant leadership, a philosophy he applies across Discovery’s facilities. When needed, he and his team step into various roles to assist with tasks like housekeeping, maintenance, and even culinary services. This creates a culture where everyone pitches in to ensure that residents are well cared for. This hands-on approach helps address some of the industry’s labor challenges, particularly as fewer young people pursue trades and hands-on careers in facilities management. Skedel hopes to inspire a younger generation to consider these fields, drawing on his background to demonstrate that there is a rewarding, sustainable career path in facilities management. He believes this industry could see a resurgence of interest in the trades as more young people recognize the value and stability of these roles.

Throwing it all at construction

Skedel’s career journey has been anything but linear. After graduating from United High School, Located in Armagh, Pennsylvania, he worked in construction, which initially seemed like a temporary job but became a long-term path after he left college due to a sports injury (he was a javelin thrower for Indiana University of Pennsylvania, but a severe knee injury ended his career in 2009 year.) He eventually started his own construction business, but a chance opportunity in senior living maintenance introduced him to a new industry. When Skedel joined a small senior living facility in Indiana, he noticed inefficiencies and set out to improve conditions.

“My systematic approach led to a deficiency-free survey from the state within a month, an accomplishment that set me on a fast track toward more prominent roles in facilities management,” he explains.

Through self-directed learning, meticulous attention to regulatory standards and the support of a mentor, Daryl Elliott, Skedel advanced rapidly. He gained promotions and expanded his responsibilities from one building to a regional role covering multiple states.

Now, with years of experience, Skedel is dedicated to mentoring others, inspired by his journey and the mentors who helped shape his path.

“I was fortunate to learn from some of the very best in the industry not only from a facilities perspective but operationally as well,” Skedel says.

He often reflects on his early days, recalling the names of residents from his first facility and understanding his impact on the people he serves. This connection to residents makes site visits and team meetings deeply meaningful, although he admits it’s challenging when residents pass away.

Skedel’s work is a testament to his enduring commitment to quality, community, and care—a blend of blue-collar grit and executive vision he brings to Discovery Senior Living daily. As the senior living industry continues to evolve, Skedel’s leadership ensures that Discovery’s facilities will meet today’s standards and adapt and thrive amid the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

 

 

*Discovery’s family of companies includes such brands as the Discovery Management Group, Integral Senior Living (SL), Provincial SL, Morada SL, TerraBella SL, LakeHouse SL, Arvum SL, Discovery at Home, Discovery Design Concepts and more.