Aging baby boomers have a different mind-set than their parents, note experts. Today’s young retiree is looking for a place to live that includes little maintenance and lots of opportunity for enjoying time with their spouse or other like-minded individuals. Security is important as well.
"The building for independent living is just booming," says Valerie McGhee, president of Larksfield Place, an independent community in Wichita, KS.
"We're seeing far more independent living and less nursing home care -- about a 4-to-1 ratio. A few years ago, it was neck and neck."
Many seniors are also looking for a facility that allows them to “age in place”, so to speak. This means that when they’re no longer able to live independently, they can move to assisted-living or nursing care within the same complex, eliminating the need to search for a new place to live. When the need arises to progress to a more hands-on care facility, such continuous care communities usually offer priority to those who already live in their independent housing.
About 2,240 continuous care retirement communities are now licensed nationwide, said Sarah Mashburn of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging in an article published by the Wichita Eagle.
While people will always need medical care, she noted, many are living longer, healthier lives. "Nursing homes will still have a place as some people are too ill to take care of themselves, but a lot of technology is allowing people to stay independent longer," Mashburn said.
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