What Will Senior Housing Look Like in 2028?

The first of the boomers — the population born between 1946 and 1964 — turned 65 in 2011, and the last will turn 65 in 2029. By 2030, boomers over 65 will make up 20 percent of the U.S. population, numbering around 60 million people, according to a report from the U.S Census Bureau.

“Significant changes are coming as we move out of the World War II generation to the baby boomer generation,” says Steve Maag, director, residential communities, at LeadingAge, a national association dedicated to advocacy, education and research on aging. That’s because boomers have higher expectations as consumers and a history of having those expectations met, Maag says.

Senior Housing in 2028

With that in mind, what will senior housing look like in 10 years? A Place for Mom checked with experts on aging, senior living communities and technology to find out.

Here are some significant changes you’re likely to see by 2028 and beyond:

Boomer Consumers Transform Senior Housing

The baby boomer generation has never been one to accept the status quo, and that won’t change when it comes to senior living communities, says Maag.

“Historically, we’ve had a pretty trusted delivery system because customers of the past accepted it and weren’t as demanding,” says Maag. “Customers of the future are going to push to do things more the way they want to do it.”

According to Maag, retirement and senior living communities will have to respond to consumer demand by providing greater diversification of services that include:

• Dining options and restaurant-menu meal variety with more choices, including gluten-free, vegetarian and even Japanese, Thai and other culturally diverse foods
• Greater emphasis on lifestyle and wellness programs
• More choices in apartment fixtures, designs and furnishings
• More variety in payment structures

“Baby boomers want to have a voice in decisions in things like financial structure and payment systems and will push back and be assertive if they have questions and concerns,” says Maag. Click here to continue reading.