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When considering senior housing options, it is important to look beyond the minimal provision of four walls and a roof. As we age, our home becomes our anchor, a place in which we receive the supportive services necessary to remain in a setting of our choice. Given the option, 78 percent of adults between 50 and 64 years of age would prefer to stay in their current residence (AARP/ Roper Public Affairs & Media Group, 2005). This number increases to 91 percent when asked of adults 65 to 74 years of age, and the preference is highest among those age 75 and older (95 percent).
Out of 112 million households in the United States, 23 percent have one or more people age 65-plus. However, if you add people ages 60 to 64, nearly one-third of American households (32 percent) house one or more residents age 60 or older (U.S. Census Bureau, 2007). It is widely accepted that the U.S. population is aging and that rates of disability increase with age. Conventional housing is not easily adaptable to meet the changing needs of individuals across a lifetime. At the very least, homes must be safe and secure. Yet, most falls occur in or near the home, and, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of injurious death among older adults (CDC, n.d.). Individuals should be able to navigate their dwelling with minimal risk of injury.
Existing physical barriers threaten to confine residents to smaller zones within their homes, effectively limiting function. The design and layout of a livable residence should allow for full use of spaces both indoors and out. "Supportive housing" refers to an environment that meets specific physical requirements and connects its residents with the services they need and also facilitates social engagement. Absent barriers, such as front steps, the home is a primary site for socialization with family, friends, and neighbors. As people age, their homes play an increasingly important role in their lives- as a setting for provision of supportive services, functional independence, and social activity.
And as we age, our dwellings age with us. In a 2004 report on the status of the nation's housing, Nelson predicted a demand for 60 million additional units...