Q. Will shifting demographic traits affect future new senior housing?
A: Shifting older grownup demographic traits have been and can proceed to affect future senior housing traits and improvements in service supply techniques. The age 65+ phase of the inhabitants has been experiencing probably the most important progress seen in many years and, with the growing old of the child boomers, this pattern will proceed.
Boomers are turning 61 to 79 this 12 months. Adults aged 65 to 74 at present are the biggest cohort within the 65+ phase of the inhabitants, and adults aged 75 to 84 are the second largest phase and conventional goal marketplace for senior residing. Now, there may be one other rising phase of the older grownup inhabitants: individuals aged 100+, or centenarians, a gaggle that will face its personal distinctive set of wants and challenges that can should be addressed in senior residing.
Older adults in every of these age cohorts have lived by means of totally different social, cultural, financial and political environments, and their distinctive life experiences have influenced their views and outlook on life. Every of the above goal demographic teams could have differing opinions and expectations concerning the growing old course of and understanding of the choices obtainable to them. Understanding the preferences and motivations of every demographic group and the way its members entry data can be key to creating particular messaging to successfully talk the advantages of senior residing and the way it enhances their particular person circumstances.
Senior residing suppliers have been adapting to shifting demographic traits by providing extra versatile, numerous and supportive residing preparations that cater to the spectrum of preferences and wishes of older adults. They’re designing extra customizable housing choices that can enable older adults to take care of their independence and autonomy whereas enabling them to age in place with dignity and entry providers when wanted or wished. There additionally ought to be a plan to assist them transition to a extra supportive care and healthcare surroundings when acceptable.
Youthful seniors and generations are usually not but embracing senior housing in massive numbers but, however they’re changing into extra engaged in understanding the house by serving to their growing old mother and father perceive and navigate their choices. Maybe, with extra data, their attitudes will shift and they’ll see senior residing as a versatile and fascinating way of life for themselves sooner or later.
Lynne Moore is president of MDS Analysis Firm Inc., a nationwide senior residing and healthcare consulting agency primarily based in Fort Value, TX, that has been serving shoppers for greater than 50 years. MDS is a two-generation firm – she is following in Jim Moore’s footsteps. Ms. Moore is accountable for all MDS market research-related tasks involving all elements of senior housing and well being are. Lynne Moore could be reached at (817) 731-4266 or lynnemoore@m-d-s.com.
The opinions expressed in every McKnight’s Senior Dwelling visitor column are these of the creator and are usually not essentially these of McKnight’s Senior Dwelling.
An abridged model of this column appeared within the February 2025 print subject of McKnight’s Senior Dwelling.
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