Retirees don't want senior communities
Baby boomers and older Americans are looking, by choice and by necessity, at different retirement-housing options.
Baby boomers and seniors are looking at a number of options for places to live in retirement, but they rank traditional senior-living communities toward the bottom of the list.
According to Housing in America – The Baby Boomers Turn 65, a new report from the Urban Land Institute, more older Americans prefer to age in place or are stuck with homes they can’t get rid of, forcing them to stay put in retirement.
More than half of U.S. residents over 65 already live in the suburbs, which is likely to create some naturally occurring senior communities in those suburbs, as well as demands on municipalities to provide support services such as transportation for older residents.
Seniors who move are drawn not to the exurban retirement communities of the past but to cities and suburban "town centers," near their grown children, friends, work and services.
"Leading-edge boomers will not settle gracefully into quiet retirement and move into traditional seniors housing communities for years, if they ever do," John K. McIlwain, senior resident fellow for housing and the author of the report, said in a news release.
His report divided older Americans into three categories: Leading-Edge boomers (those born between 1946 and 1956), the Silent Generation (ages 67 to 85) and the Greatest Generation (85 and older).
"The combination of the Leading Edge boomers reaching 65 with expectations of a longer life than ever before, and the fact that many of the Silent and Greatest generations are running through their limited retirement savings — combined with a continuing reduction in federal and state resources for housing subsidies — is leading to a coming crisis in U.S. housing for those over 65," McIlwain said in the news release.
In addition to staying in their suburban homes or moving to downtown cores, retirees also are exploring other types of living arrangements, the report says. Those include:
- Living in college towns, near children and grandchildren, and participating in activities on campus.
- Mobile homes.
- Co-housing and communal living.
- Multigenerational housing.
- Retirement communities for people with shared interests.
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I retired a couple years ago and am exploring options for where/how I want to live. I'm blessed with wonderful health. Some of my friends, who are slightly older, have mild to sever health issues so community services is important.
Here's my initial thoughts:
1] If I want to stay in this community, this is a great time for me to involve myself with groups that are developing options for seniors to remain in their homes.
2] If I decide to move, it should be soon so I can develop a support system while I'm healthy and have a flexible schedule.
3] It's important for me to examine my goals & values then move toward them. It's not fair to expect someone else to make the decision where I should live based on their concepts.
4] Even if I move to be near family or a college environment, it's important to remember that things change so both may be gone in 30 years when I'm old & I may be healthier than anyone would guess. Change should be part of the plan too - at least being flexible as it happens.
Yes, I'll move because there'll come a time when ranch living isn't ideal. I don't know yet when or where I'll move [maybe 10 miles into town].
I DO intend to be in control so know it's time for me to start researching and making decisions. This will give me a chance to do it MY WAY.
Why would anyone pay $2000.00 or more per month to stay in a retirement home as Gale mentioned above! Living in your own home as we age is what most want, but can become much harder when health and medical issues start to affect us.The biggest concern for Aging in Place seniors is your safety!!A bad injury or fall can be life changing and leave you in a bad way permantly! I run a company that specializes in elderly /handicapped friendly bathroom remodels that have curbless showers, grab bars, elevated toilets and such to help make your bathroom much safer and easier to use!You will also save a lot of money spending 6000.00 to 8000.00(on average) for the remodel than paying the rest home 2000.00 and up per month!! For people that need special care an in home nurse or helper can come when needed (daily/biweekly) to help bathe/dress.There are grants to for seniors and Vets to help for those on low incomes as well.
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Good...then the waiting list won't be so long when I'm ready. I personally know fellow seniors who do NOT want to "live around a bunch of OLD people". Look in the mirror and get over yourselves, people. It is what it is. Youngsters may be nice to you but they certainly don't want to "hang out" with you, and rightfully so. It is wonderful the bonds you can have with your peers talking about the past, your aches and pain (things the youngsters canNOT relate to, yet)and lots of other things. If you don't want to live around other people your age, what does that make you, younger? I don't think so.
I have heard nightmares about these places. I am retired and 70 years old. I am staying in my home till I no longer can. I try and take care of myself and my health is good. People must decide what is best for themselves. My husband and I do not have a lot of money but so far we are able to survive. We did a reverse mortgage to pay off our home and have a little extra from that.
We just take it one day at a time and we both know whatever will happen will happen. But one thing I know I am not leavig our home till we need to.
About Teresa Mears
Teresa Mears is a veteran journalist who has been interested in houses since her father took her to tax auctions to carry the cash at age 10. A former editor of The Miami Herald's Home & Design section, she lives in South Florida where, in addition to writing about real estate, she publishes Miami on the Cheap to help her neighbors adjust to the loss of 60% of their property value.
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