Global populations are aging – according to the UN, by 2030, the number of people aged 60 years or over is projected to grow by 56%, and by 2050 is expected to double again, to a total of 2.1 billion seniors worldwide.
Where and how will our seniors live in the future? Is it possible to move beyond stereotypes to create functional, healthy and beneficial living spaces for the older generation?
There are three stages of retirement – the ‘go-go’ years, the ‘slow-go’ years and the ‘no-go’ years. Each stage poses its own challenges. With the go-go years and slow-go years, seniors can now expect to enjoy 20-30 years of good health prior to entering the no-go when they require special care and support.
The world’s first documented age-segregated retirement community, Sun City Arizona, built in 1954 was the first to explore accommodation options for the emerging go-go/slow-go demographic. Sun City promised year-long sunshine, leisure-based social activities, companionship and fun – a far cry from the dreaded nursing home.
Since Sun City, there have been attempts to create retirement communities which emphasize personal fulfillment, independence, education and socialization. Here are several:
A. The Retirement Village
Alcabideche Social Complex near Lisbon, Portugal. The community consists of 52 cube-like dwellings including a support building together with public terraces and pools which connect the dwellings. In recognition of the realities of aging, when a resident sounds an alarm within their home, the entire roof of the building lights up red, a distress signal to the entire community.
B. High-End Apartment
In London, England, the Housing for Older Residents project in Hampstead, north London, consists of 29 individual apartments with shared facilities, such as social spaces, spa and a communal garden. The community is supported by an in-house caretaker whose role is to facilitate both daily activities and care for resident’s needs.Each apartment is designed to allow long views towards the garden while linking to a ‘middle room’. The design offers visual interest to residents spending significant time in-doors.
C. The Cruise Ship
The Florida-based shipping company Residences at Sea was one of the first to provide an exclusive long-term rental offering. Customized apartments, some as large as 4000 square feet, are available. Though an appeal to many cruise enthusiasts, residents may find difficulty securing affordable insurance and lack of access to specialist care onboard may well outweigh the glamour of continuous sailing. Then there are the questions of storing possessions and arrangements while the ship is in port?
D. Aging in Place
In the 2007 study ‘Aging in Place in America’ commissioned by the Clarity and the EAR Foundation, it was found elderly people fear moving away, losing their independence and exile from their communities, more than they fear death.
Prior to the 2008 financial crisis, it was expected those seniors in the go-go and slow-go years would retire to warmer climes. Now, up to 60% of Americans over 60 now say they will look for a new job after retiring. Many people in this age group are also taking on additional childcare responsibilities as their children often have a two working parent household and living on modest earnings.
With seniors there is a ‘push-pull’ occurring – the ‘push’ factors of the inability to maintain a household, inadequate neighborhood leisure amenities, proximity to healthcare, high living costs, adverse climate aggravating health conditions such as arthritis, fear of crime, or the death of a spouse/partner. The ‘pull’ factors of remaining in place include familiarity of one’s home and community and living near family and friends makes aging in place attractive.
The challenge is how to make an age-friendly community which supports aging in place. The American Architectural Foundation cites a lack of diversity, lack of access to continuous and accessible walking routes, few intentional social spaces and restricted access to both healthcare and crisis assistance as key areas for improvement.
Our societal challenge is to continue to study the experiments in senior living around the world and to learn from each one, keeping in mind the diversity needs of today’s seniors. How best do we create living space which engages residents, promotes a sense of community and reduces the effects of loneliness and self-imposed isolation?
In an effort to share your thoughts with others, I encourage you to drop me a note with your ideas and suggestions on how future senior living space should be constructed. Your ideas will be made available to others.
Rick Atkinson
RA Retirement Advisors
Ramgt75@rogers.com
www.whencaniretire.ca
Reference: Hannah Wood.
Dwelling in the Golden Years: Experiments in Senior Living.
Archinect. Dec. 8 ‘17