They’re Moving On Up
Victor Hugo (1802-1885) observed that 40 is the old age of youth; 50 the youth of old age.
Today’s baby boomers can attest to that. Age 50 isn’t seen as a time to settle down and rest, but, rather, to get up and play sports, take classes and work part-time. Even AARP has changed its magazine, Modern Maturity, to a slicker format.
Born from 1946 to 1964, boomers are around 76 million strong, make up 28% of the population and one turns 50 every nine seconds. With numbers like that, it isn’t surprising that housing after 55 years of age is changing. As AARP Executive Director Horace Deets says, “We now find ourselves in the midst of a demographic revolution that’s changing what it means to grow older.”
For the vast majority of seniors who remain in their own homes, modifications may be necessary as they age. Among them are skid-proof tile, adjustable closet rods and “universal” features like door levers rather than knobs, roll-out shelves and direct 911 wiring. For the nearly 2 million boomers who move each year, senior housing is being developed throughout the country.
Since a house bought after age 55 will probably be the buyer’s last home purchase, it should be adaptable to accommodate changing needs as its owners age. “The design of the bathroom and kitchen in a new house is vital,” says Victor Regnier, professor of architecture and gerontology at USC. “There should be wide doors, a large turning radius to accommodate a wheelchair and places where grab rails can be attached. Buying two-story houses or houses with stairs leading to the front door are bad ideas since falls on stairs are very serious after age 65.”
There are stages of retirement, with the 55-plus stage the active one, 65-plus independent, but with some care needs, and ages 70 to 100-plus semi-independent, but with more health care and service needs. Often these seniors are in continuing care or assisted-living communities.
A pioneer in housing for active 55-plus seniors is the Del Webb Corporation, developers of Sun City master plans. They began building retirement homes in the early 1960s with simple, affordable houses, and have evolved through the years into building homes bordering on the palatial, with some surpassing 3,000 square feet.
Del Webb’s research of boomer habits has found that while many relocate near their home, half of the ones who move change states for either full or part-time living during retirement, with Florida, Arizona and Texas being the most popular choices.
Design elements have been geared specifically for them. And these are people who know what they want, with 75% of them believing they are better prepared for retirement than their parents were.
*
Since half of all baby boomers say their retirement lifestyle will include working part time, they want home offices. Debbie Truso, manager of Design Studio for Sun City Anthem, Las Vegas, says that within the last six months Del Webb has put an electronics specialist on staff. “You’d be surprised how many run networks in their own homes,” she says. “People are asking for cutting-edge technology with audio throughout the house, sophisticated security cameras and other electronics. There are lots of home theaters and satellite TVs, as well.” They also have specific needs for their office space: They want to telecommute, consult, freelance or even start a new career.
The great room is another necessity. “They absolutely want a casual living area so they can utilize all the space in the house. Gone is the roped-off living room and seldom-used dining room. Our designs have kitchens leading straight into the great room, which opens onto the patio. This outdoor-indoor feature is very popular,” Truso says. “In the actual kitchen, they go two ways. There are those who want a minimal one with small appliances so they can eat out every night, and those who demand commercial, heavy-duty kitchens for entertaining.”
Unlike traditional homes with bedrooms clustered together, these homes have bedrooms and baths at both ends of the house for privacy. “With seniors, one-and two-bedroom places are selling. Very few studios are being built,” says Regnier.
One of the most popular options at Sun City right now is the house with a casita. “These are detached rooms with baths and wet bars that have separate entrances. People love them because they can be turned into offices, workout rooms, extra bedrooms, wine cellars or relative’s quarters. Plus, aesthetically they create a courtyard,” says Truso.
Truso also says that seniors are asking for hard surfaces on the floors, like tile, wood and stone. “The carpeting is only in the bedroom, and there it’s sculpted or tone-on-tone. Hard surfaces are easy maintenance, allergy-free.” Sun City Anthem plans to build 10,000 retirement homes outside Las Vegas, with prices ranging from $140,000 to more than $500,000.
Since many boomers are aging without necessarily retiring, another choice is what Regnier calls “non-r” communities. “Many 55-year-olds consider retirement a profane word, so these nonretirement villages are popular. They feature two and three bedroom units, with an emphasis on a community, but with no age requirements,” Regnier says. “This way people can appreciate and enjoy the amenities of retirement villages without what some perceive as a stigma.”
One relatively new option is university-based housing, where older people can live on or near a campus, attend classes and also act as research subjects. “Stanford is working with Hyatt on one project,” Regnier says, pointing out that there are anywhere from 60 to 100 collaborations between schools and senior housing projects, but because they are so varied in form, it’s hard to get an exact count. These communities are also lucrative for the colleges.
Regnier cites a “co-housing” concept developed in Denmark as an option for lower-to middle-income seniors. “This may feature separate apartments or condos around a fixed area for communal potluck dinners. Included is a place to facilitate needs, like ride sharing and loans like wheelchairs. This is a less expensive way to go, and with the cost of care-giving growing, community support is becoming more important.” He said the idea has not caught on yet in the U.S. but may in the future because it makes sense financially. More common here are complexes where communal meals are supplied and residents can choose whether to eat there or use their own kitchens.
“What’s in common with all these concepts is the need for intellectual stimulation, social events and supportive people,” Regnier says. “You don’t move in to any of these places unless you want to be part of the community.”
