A huge flood of Americans are entering the ranks of ‘senior citizens’. This generation has different needs, likings and desires. A white paper by The Society of Certified Senior Advisors has revealed interesting findings, which indicate that the attitude of Baby Boomers’ towards retirement and aging is changing. This is in turn, has influenced the way the senior housing industry is catering to the needs of Americans aged 55 and above.
Expanding on a survey of senior home builders by the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) and MetLife Mature Market, The Society of Certified Senior Advisers surmises the following:
A greater number of senior citizens desire a maintenance-free lifestyle and prefer to get by with lower living costs. Senior living communities match these needs by providing round-the-clock staff and top-of-the-line amenities to residents. The question of maintenance and costs associated with the same, doesn’t arise at all, as pretty much everything is taken care of by the provider.
There is a desire for higher personal security. With 24-hour security and emergency services, senior housing communities are veritable safe havens that offer residents peace of mind and assurance.
Seniors desire a more active and independent lifestyle. The USP of independent living is that it affords seniors control over how they want to live every single day of their lives, whilst providing them a range of personal care services and leisure activities.
It was also seen that seniors are looking for more options when it comes to social interactions and lifestyle enhancements.
On a different note
New experiences: There is much you can learn from sharing space with elder residents in senior communities. In fact, one of the USPs of such communities is that you can interact with Americans from all walks of life. They present opportunities to understand new perspectives, learn new things and enjoy a well-rounded, wholesome experience.
Staying active: Studies have shown that adult learning in the later stages of life has positive implications on the brain. While it may not influence concentration or mental speed, it offers benefits as far as verbal ability, verbal fluency and verbal memory are concerned. With this in mind, our Northern California senior communities offer a good mix of professional entertainment and activity-based programs that keep residents’ minds active and occupied.
Still, for many seniors, basic community features take precedence over everything else. For instance, the survey also found that residents gave a high satisfaction rating to senior communities that offered organized transportation. Good security, top-notch facilities, and importantly reliable care should top the priority list of aged Americans exploring senior living solutions. Modern day communities provide the A-Z of care, and also ensure that entertainment needs are taken care of; so seniors don’t have much to worry about!
