We’ve seen how senior living communities embrace change to meet modern-day seniors’ ever-evolving needs. In this blog, we share ten lesser-known facts about senior living and how these add to the changing landscape of today and tomorrow’s seniors.
Fact #1: Senior living communities are starting to feel like neighborhoods.
Starting a new chapter in a community can be daunting. We get it. However, to ease the transition, many senior communities have embraced a campus-style layout to create the feeling of a semi-enclosed neighborhood which goes a long way in making residents feel more at home. An example is
Beatitudes Campus, which offers a wide variety of residential choices for seniors and a holistic approach to wellness. Some of their activities and amenities include:
- Lifelong Learning Institute
- Art gallery showings
- Woodworking shop
- Beauty and barber shops
- Pet-friendly living options
- Themed dinners
- Exercise classes
Fact #2: Seniors, on average, live longer.
The most significant contributor to the increased life expectancy of seniors is healthcare innovations. According to
Genworth, every day until 2030, there will be 10,000 Baby Boomers that will turn 65. “In 2020, about 16.9 percent of the American population was 65 years old or over, which is expected to reach 22 percent by 2050. This is a significant increase from 1950 when only eight percent of the population was 65 or over. Additionally, it is projected that there will be over three million people worldwide
aged 100 years and over by 2050.” reports
Statista.
Fact #3: Social isolation is curbed in senior living communities.
Social isolation can be debilitating and cause a decline in health, regardless of age. Remember that this is one of the reasons that senior living communities are so beneficial. Their communal activities ensure that seniors remain stimulated and social with like-minded peers. Weekly activity boards of most senior communities offer things like:
- Holiday celebrations
- Art classes
- Fitness classes
- Interest groups and clubs that cater to these
Fact #4: Senior living is getting more personalized and specialized.
Religion and language-based communities are two examples of specialized senior living that have increased in recent years. Beatitudes Campus was an earlier example in this article, as they offer a more campus-like environment that feels like its own neighborhood and caters to religious seniors. Another example is
LEED-certified communities, which prioritize eco-friendly buildings and business practices. As we look to the future and overall sustainability, it makes sense to try and reduce unnecessary waste and mitigate the impact our daily habits have on the earth.
Fact #5: Memory care focuses on the individual, not just the diagnosis.
Memory care is senior living that caters to those with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Typically, you’ll find that staff is trained in the intricacies of the disease and how it progresses while taking into account the person’s interests, passions prior hobbies. Through music therapy, art and smell, seniors are stimulated and positively encouraged to enjoy each day as it comes.
Fact #6: More senior living communities are becoming pet-friendly.
The positive effect animals have on humans has been well documented over the decades. The loyalty, unconditional love, and companionship offered by a pet, whether this is a dog, cat, bird, or even a fish, is priceless. Gone are the days of strict communities with anti-pet rules. Instead, more and more communities are offering pet-friendly living options to ensure the improved happiness of residents.
Fact #7: Maintaining an active lifestyle is the best disease prevention.
Even if your senior never led an active life during their younger years, there is no reason not to start in retirement. This is another area where senior communities shine. They encourage group activities and offer fitness classes to all levels and interests, giving everyone an equal chance.
Fact #8: Being a homeowner doesn’t always make sense financially.
While a home’s security, memories, and familiarity are comforting to seniors, it may not always make sense from a financial perspective to try and keep up with the costs of maintaining a home. Downsizing can free up a large portion of any senior’s monthly budget and can go towards more specialized care to benefit their health or wellbeing. Senior living communities also offer security and can often shield seniors from unexpected expenses like maintenance.
Fact #9: Assisted living communities are becoming more affordable.
According to
2020 data from Genworth, the national median value for assisted living is $4,300 per month. This may seem steep, but this trend is declining as the average life expectancy of seniors are on the rise, while their average monthly disposable income will decrease. Living longer means being more conscious of how you spend as you may find yourself running out of a pension. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many seniors today.
Fact #10: Independence and privacy are maintained in senior living communities.
The beauty of life is that we are not all the same. The spectrum of human personalities and preferences is as vast as the milky way on a clear night. Senior living communities cater to introverts and extroverts alike with various layout options for private, semi-private, and shared rooms, depending on your preferences. Regarding independence, seniors can choose which activities, clubs, and events to attend in their community and freely practice their hobbies should they decide to do so.
If you have any questions or want more information, don’t hesitate to
contact us. We would be happy to help! Assisted living can be an excellent solution for those needing extra help taking care of themselves.
