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Senior Housing: The Commune Of The Older Generation
By Jeanette Pearlman

Within the broad niche of senior housing exists two types of housing -- assisted living and independent living.

Assisted living is a medical or health model with some modifications in facility design, levels of care, and degrees of control.

Independent living is a social model. One type of independent living is the pure housing model, which is simply housing that is designated for seniors above a certain age. It has restrictions with respect to children or younger people.

Another social model incorporates the independence of individual apartments with hotel amenities. These amenities usually include dining, housekeeping, transportation, entertainment, and hair salons. They may include medical practices on the premises as well as a home health agency. They may also include shopping and health clubs with spas and pools, as well as saunas and locker rooms. Some even have banking services and postal services on the grounds.

This has been identified as the niche for the baby boomers; and also those who have crossed the threshold of at least 55 (most places require a minimum of 62). These folks are healthy and wealthy or have access to means for rents or purchases and want to live independent of any controls.

It seems to be like the "commune of the older generation." Yet, since not all older individuals are the same, not all senior living complexes should be the same.

First of all, who has determined the market cluster and established the profile characteristics? Who has defined the parameters of older? How is it that all the properties end up looking similar and have the same basic activities?

Furthermore, since our society has placed such an emphasis on cultural and ethnic specificity, shouldn’t we be just as concerned with the changes among the citizens who are applying for the transition to a communal housing complex?

And, since the market has been identified as "active seniors," then we should continue to recognize the fact that these people’s brains are not all on the decline? (In fact, studies indicate the opposite.)

Older adults need continued education. Keeping up with the technology and work is still very much an important part of the routine for many individuals, regardless of how old they may be.

Shifting to the extreme where declinations of age have set in, the housing must likewise offer amenities, as well as an environment that is accommodating. This is a lot to ask for any one community, but it can be accomplished with some sensitivity, understanding, and competency.

The design of the properties can establish the physical conditions for the total garden variety of people who will live there. The adjustment that appears to be more difficult falls in the area of people who are the property owners, developers, administrators, and staff.

The owners and developers seek out what has been tried and true - that which is expeditious and brings the best return on the investment.

There is nothing wrong with the fundamentals of business. There is something inherently wrong with establishing a cookie cutter image of people and then quickly designing the environment to push them into the design. Does creative design cost more?

Speaking apolitically, probably yes. However, the question comes in deciding whether one can hold out for a longer turn return on the investment and therefore doing it right the first time.

The second issue is more difficult - the people part. The profile characteristics of the older citizen appear to dominate the determination of how people will be treated and what the provider should expect. Too quickly the inevitable happens - a turn to the medical/health model, where the providers control the environment, time, activities and in effect the lives of the individuals who have come to inhabit the new place.

What we really need is a total paradigm shift - places, things, and most important of all, people. There must be a shift in the thinking from control to accommodation and customer service. The complexes have both common areas - hotel like - and private apartments.

The operant term is private. As we are living longer with the reigns of decision making in our respective hands, what do we want? How do we want to be treated? This defined type of housing shouldn't become a new type of institution; it should remain a continuum of living in a society which must adjust to changes that occur within it.

Senior housing is another step in the process of adjusting to changes. Technology has created the opportunity for increasing the years of our lives.

Each of us has the responsibility for determining how we want to take advantage of the opportunity. This includes the risks as well as the restraints that individuals choose for themselves.

Housing is designed by architects and built by builders. Homes are created by the people who live there. There is no age criteria in this phenomena.

Jeanette Perlman, MS, is an administrator, educator, and consultant in the health, housing, and hospitality industry. She is also a member of The Center for Health Design's Environmental Standards Committee. Jeanette can be reached at JPSEDAL1@aol.com.