Current statistics across the United States have indicated that individuals continue to live longer primarily in response to improved healthcare, increased education, awareness regarding disease prevention and management, and the contribution of technological advancement.
Over the next 15 years, the nation’s 55 and older population is expected to significantly increase this group consisting of the “Baby Boomers”. As a result there will be a need to modify and increase housing to meet the need of this population who have impacted on a large scale our culture and society.
The “aging in place” phenomenon is the preferred choice of many but this requires stategic planning for the availability of housing with the appropriate safety and structural accommodations to facilitate mobility and health needs . There is much benefit to be derived from communal living at a level not only consistent with the admission to a typical nursing home, but options that provides accommodations based on levels of care and homelike environment at optimal levels.
Assisted living facilities were almost unheard of until appromimately 10 years ago when they dramatically evolved to accommodate the increase in the number of individuals who required care but not at the skilled nursing home level and again the numbers for those individuals is only expected to increase. Although, there has been growth in new construction and modification of existing buildings to meet regulatory codes and compliance to accommodate the need of the more higher functional level senior, there continues to be an ongoing need for such accommodations and projections for the number of seniors who will definitely choose this option for their accomodations will continue to be a demand.
Assisted living facilities range from much smaller single family dwellings to larger multi level units, therefore the customer can choose a setting along with the services provided that best meet their individual need.Senior Housing Master Plans have been developed by some counties and local communities in anticipation of this emerging need.
Chuck Bongiovanni,MSW,MBA says:
September 18th, 2008 at 10:34 am
So very true. I am excited about what the future holds and what new innovations can be created