Brighton, MA— In a move aimed at transforming how middle-income older adults age in community, 2Life Communities has appointed Denise McQuaide as its first-ever Chief of Middle Market Innovation.
The newly created role positions McQuaide at the helm of a strategic effort to expand affordable, community-based housing and care solutions for the “forgotten middle” — older adults who fall between low-income assistance and high-end senior living options.
With a four-decade track record in healthcare, senior living, and community health, McQuaide brings deep clinical and operational experience to this groundbreaking initiative. She has served as a strategic advisor to 2Life since 2021, guiding the organization’s integration of healthcare and housing.
“Denise has been the architect behind 2Life’s expanded care and wellness offerings,” said Amy Schectman, CEO of 2Life Communities. “Her clinical and leadership background, combined with her innovative spirit, make her the ideal person to lead this critical expansion into the middle-income market.”
The announcement comes at a pivotal time for the senior housing industry. By 2033, experts project more than 16 million seniors will fall into the middle-income bracket — too affluent to qualify for subsidized housing, but unable to afford traditional continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs).
2Life is stepping into this gap with Opus from 2Life Communities, a first-of-its-kind model tailored to middle-income seniors. The first Opus community, Opus Newton, will welcome its initial residents this fall, with McQuaide overseeing the opening and future operations.
Unlike traditional CCRCs, which often come with steep entry fees and monthly costs, Opus Newton introduces a lower-cost, integrated model with several unique features:
- Aging in Place: Health and wellness services are delivered directly to residents’ apartments, minimizing the need for disruptive moves.
- On-Site Care and Navigation: A dedicated health center, care navigators, and access to specialists support residents through changing health needs.
- Community Contribution: Residents commit to giving 10 hours per month of volunteer time, contributing to the community’s culture and operations.
- Affordable Fees: A one-time, below-market “Community Share” reduces ongoing monthly costs. Up to 80% is returned to residents upon departure.
“It can be heart-wrenching to tell someone they need to leave their home to get care,” said McQuaide. “What we’re doing with Opus Newton proves that nearly any kind of support can be provided in the comfort of someone’s own home — and at a price point that works for the middle market.”
Prior to joining 2Life full-time, McQuaide held executive roles at Benchmark Senior Living, Mount Auburn Hospital, and Hebrew Senior Life, where she oversaw operations across affordable housing, long-term care, and medical services. Her background as a nurse practitioner grounds her approach in both empathy and clinical expertise.
She holds a BS and MS in nursing from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and serves on its Advisory Board. Among her many accolades, McQuaide has received the Shackleton Leadership Award from Genesis ElderCare and UMass’s Francis Cabot Lowell Award for Health Professionals.
For 2Life, this new leadership appointment marks a significant step in redefining what aging can look like for millions of Americans. The organization, long known for its affordable senior housing communities across Greater Boston, is now working to bring its “aging in community” model to a broader, underserved population.
“Very few housing options exist for middle-income seniors who want to age affordably, with dignity and purpose,” said Schectman. “Denise is the leader who will bring our vision of inclusive, community-based aging to life — not just for Opus Newton, but for generations to come.”
