10 Elements of High Demand Housing For an Aging Population
Retirement and Assisted Living Alternatives For our Aging Population
As the baby boom generation continues to age, so to does the demand for assisted living alternatives and the need for housing to accommodate the needs of our aging population. John Lennon once asked a generation to “Imagine living life in peace,” now those same baby boomers must imagine living life in old age; as nearly one in five Americans will be over sixty-five in 2030 (U.S. Census Bureau). An even more staggering statistic will be the increase in the amount of people living in the US over the age of 80. Today there's roughly four million over the age of 80. By the year 2030, its estimated that there will be 20 million over the age of 80....
Now imagine yourself at eighty years of age; where do you see yourself living? Have you thought about it? I mean really imagined what it will be like? If your like most Americans your not alone in saying, "I want to stay right here, and "age in place" in my home, where I have lived for may years and I'm not going anywhere...." See Article "Most Boomers want To Age In Place- Few Have Plan
Aging baby boomers, some seventy-six million, will be living longer than previous generations and many with chronic conditions. They will also be more spread-out in suburban areas. This should get you thinking about the relationship between aging and geography.
“Peter Pan Housing”
Peter Pan is a character who never grows up. This dream of eternal youth is used by some
urban planners to describe the Never-Never Land of the nation’s endless sprawl of suburbs designed for people who never grow old.
After WWII young families flocked to the suburbs to live the American dream of a home with living areas and kitchen on first floor, bed and bath on second floor, and laundry in the basement. This set up was designed to fit the military’s ideal subject of the six-foot, 190-pound, healthy, strong, 20-year old male.
Today that same end-user is a senior citizen with aging adult children soon to face many of the same issues they are living with now. And the challenge with the new developments is much like the ones facing the old developments; miles from any commerce, expansive lawns with steep yards, gates for privacy, hill-top settings with lots of stairs, wide cult-de-sacs, limited sidewalks and no bus stops.
These “amenities” may be selling points for young families but for older adults the auto-oriented living areas which require commuter trips due to the geographic isolation can be barriers to aging in place.
New Urbanism-
“New urbanism” is a reaction to this suburban sprawl; creating human-scale, walkable communities, transit-oriented, with mixed use, much along the lines of old European cities.
Also known as traditional neighborhood developments (TNDs), these communities are showing up all around the country. For example the new Blue Back Square in West Hartford, Harbor Point in Stamford and the Stoors Center project in Mansfield CT. These TND communities boast community living that is multi- generational, pedestrian oriented, near bus/light-rail, with shops and a cultural activities just minutes away.
Many of the homes, townhouses and condo's within these neighborhoods are of traditional craftsmanship and have Universal Design elements, along with porches and sidewalks for neighbors to keep in touch with each other—like they once did.
If you are living in Peter Pan Housing and it’s not working for you, consider looking into one of these TNDs or exploring the many alternatives to independent and assisted living facilities like remodeling or adding on a Universally designed In-Law style apartment.
Practical Assisted Living Structures-(PALS)
A new twist on an age old solution. Practical Assisted Living Structures (PALS) are pre-fab built, Universally designed In-Law style apartments that can be bolted onto an existing home or structure as an alternative to a complete remodel or forced move into a skilled nursing facility. Floor plans can be customized to accommodate specific needs and generally include universally designed features such as "Zero-Step" entry ways into the home, 36 inch wide doorways and wider hall ways along with larger bathrooms and the ability to choose from either a barrier free showering system to an extremely safe, walk-in bathtub.
Whether you are planning on buying, selling, staying put, or looking for other types of housing such as rental, vacation or investment property, here are 10 elements to consider:
1. One level housing with Zero Step entry ways and thresholds
2. Near a bus stop or light-rail station
3. Markets within walking distance
4. Mixed-use housing- perhaps an In-Law style apartment addition
5. Sidewalks & nearby park
6. Homes with a porch
7. Universal design in the home
8. Civic center/entertainment outlets minutes away
9. In-law apartment or suite
10.Close to family friends and familiar surroundings
These 10 elements will be in high demand as the population ages and looks to "Age in Place" with a high quality-of-life in safe comfortable surrounding with plenty of friends and family around.
To ensure the overall safety of your home click below to download the ultimate in home safety checklist.
