There are many conferences dedicated to senior living. Many of them are held in the warm months of summer, and include: the Assisted Living Federation of America in Phoenix; the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging in Washington, DC; and the National Association of Home Builders/National Council on Senior Living Conference in Palm Springs, CA.
Active Adult Communities are emerging as the retirement lifestyle of choice for the Baby Boomer generation. This year also shows that the Assisted Living market has begun to stabilize, and that the Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) are thriving.
Many senior living centers are very well maintained and looked after nowadays. The design of Assisted Living and the more traditional Retirement Community continues to be developed and refined to the point that both models are reaching a very high degree of sophistication. They are being designed to appeal to the educated, and increasingly demanding, residents. Good planning and design affects the ultimate success of communities and senior living centers, and many of the lending institutions that provide funding for these places are recognizing this.
Senior living centers and communities are about to experience one of the biggest market fluctuations in history – the impact of the Baby Boomer. There are approximately 75 million American who are, and soon will be, aged 55 and older. Because these men and women were born in a period of great social ferment (including Civil Rights, Vietnam, and the Women's Movement), they were on the front lines as participants and protesters, and effected the changes embodied in these events and ideologies. This resulted in a generation of people who tend to be idealistic, think of themselves as different and unique, and feel entitled to the best life has to offer them.
In order to meet the demands and needs of this community, senior living centers and housing need to offer flexibility and choice. Residents need to be offered the same amenities their suburban, family homes provide them, without the hassle of yard work or home maintenance. They also need to be offered a good selection of one, two, and three bedroom homes, as well as townhouses and cottages. The best senior housing also includes the latest in high-speed communications and also feature home offices.
Very good senior living complexes have an underlying philosophy of health and wellness. Many of these places offer walking, biking, swimming, dance, fitness, and art activities, helping to promote healthy living, social interaction, and a feeling of community.
It is also very popular for these senior communities to be built near universities. This offers the opportunity for residents to attend classes, enjoy cultural activities, and even pursue a degree. Many senior residents are at the top of their fields, and can offer a wealth of experience and expertise to the university – both professionally and academically.
The Baby Boomers have grown up, finished university schooling, completed successful careers, and raised their own families. As they continue into their senior years, they can be expected to keep up the same drive and determination. The senior centers that accommodate this will be amongst the most successful ones.
By Fiona McLaren