The Times they are A-Changing!
Innovation today is key to housing seniors tomorrow
Within 20 years, 25% of our population will be over 65. The boomers of yesterday – who are the seniors of tomorrow – will control the way things are done and the options available to them. Tech savvy, educated and demanding, these seniors of the future are already inspiring the housing industry to be more innovative.
By Esther Goldstein, B.Sc, B.S.W., RSW
We are entering a time of change and challenge. With the number of seniors growing to previously unseen proportions, we need to develop many different kinds of housing solutions to accommodate varying budgets and care needs, while at the same time allowing people to remain active and independent for as long as possible.
Twenty years ago, options were limited to retirement homes and nursing homes which were clearly defined by care provision. Retirement homes were for the independent and nursing homes were for those who needed care.
Today, the lines between the levels are ‘fuzzier’. We now have assisted living, dementia care, independent living, life lease structures, condos for seniors and other types of residences that fall somewhere in between. Many retirement settings provide care similar to that of nursing homes. People are staying in their own homes longer and are more likely to ‘downsize’ before moving to a place with ‘care’. The age at which people go into care settings is older than in the past, and in the future the age at which we decide to relocate due to care needs may be even older.
Many of the new structures being built are luxury hotel-style accommodation. Some offer ownership options and most are moving toward an ‘active living’ model. There is a major focus on health, wellness and active aging. There is also a move toward separating ‘care’ from ‘accommodation’ by allowing for amenities with flexibility. A significant number of places offer ‘memory care’ to ensure that those with forms of dementia are not limited to nursing homes when considering care options.
In addition, other trends in senior housing choices are emerging in North America and around the world, and these may indeed impact us in the future as we too look toward innovative options.
Congregate housing – a bit like co-op housing communities for seniors – is common in parts of the USA where virtual ‘villages’ of seniors exist. In Campuses of Care or Continuous Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), people can ‘stay for life’, as all levels of care are housed under one roof in one community. People can move between levels as their needs change, while couples at different levels can stay under one roof or within the same complex.
College Campus Housing is housing for seniors (either rental or condo-style) built right on university or college property. This concept feeds the desire for some seniors who love to learn and who enjoy access to an educational atmosphere where they can take courses should they wish to do so.
Senior Co-Housing, a relatively new concept in Ontario, is common in parts of the USA. This is co-op housing with a twist. Usually, there is an ownership component which can be costly and time-consuming to set up. Essentially, this type of housing allows for privacy with shared decision-making and activities. Some communities are inter-generational as well.
In addition to the innovative types of communities being developed, there are also advances in technology that allow people with limited care needs to remain in their own homes while being monitored by devices that assist in keeping them safe. While these advances are highly beneficial for long-distance caregivers, they have their limitations. Other examples of retirement living options include Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) which are becoming quite prevalent in parts of the USA: the government provides services to seniors in a defined area, thus allowing them to stay in their own homes with support.
Some parts of the world are also seeing the development of small-scale retirement communities in home-like environments. In other areas, there is a move towards apartment-style dwellings in large urban centres, as well as the concept of ‘apartments for life’ where mixed levels of care are available.
As the population demographic changes, communities will also have to look at infra-structure changes to accommodate issues and gaps in service for seniors. These might range from more benches in public areas and safer sidewalks to extended crosswalk signals and ‘senior-friendly’ public transit systems. All of these services will need to be assessed as the requirements of communities change.
While the options of today seem copious compared to those of 20 years ago, it is clear that what we have now is only the beginning. With technology and innovative thought – and the goal of maximizing independence in a cost-effective way – there is unlimited potential for different in-home ‘aging in place’ options and for the future development of retirement communities.
Esther Goldstein, B.Sc., B.S.W., RSW, is a former acute care hospital social worker and the author of the Comprehensive Guide to Retirement Living®, now in its 14th edition. She also administers the affiliated national website www.senioropolis.com and lectures on eldercare issues in various venues. For further information on this and other topics related to seniors and relocation, visit www.senioropolis.com
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