Senior Spotlight: Baby Boomers Seek Custom Over Cookie-Cutter Living

The Power of Choice

A recent read from CNBC reveals that the power of choice is important to Baby Boomers now more than ever. While the oldest boomers are already retired, the youngest boomers are now entering their retirement years. The former formula for one-size-fits-all retirement living is being challenged by “the rise of customizable living arrangements,” according to trends in retirement destinations such as Florida.

According to the article The New Retirement Living: More Baby Boomers Shun Housing Mega-Developments, “Sprawling housing developments in retirement havens like Florida are becoming less desirable and, as people live longer, they want their retirement to reflect their lifestyle choices.” Production builds are out, while specific requests in the areas of outdoor living, sustainability and technology are in! Specifically, builders and developers are focused on meeting retiree wants and needs in the areas of:

1.Universal Design: The hallmarks of older adult living are still in play, such as no thresholds, widened doorways, lever handles, ample task lighting, ramps and even automatic doors.

2.Nature-Inspired, Eco-Friendly Focus: Senior living is moving towards embracing a reduced carbon footprint, the use of sustainable materials (such as bamboo flooring), solar panels, natural materials and biophilic design (stone, natural woods).

3.Technology-Based Amenities: The pandemic has only increased the use of technology in the older generations, translating to embracing tech at home too. Voice activated consoles for lights and thermostats as well as countless smart-home features are now making the baseline list of senior housing amenities.

4.Leadership Within An Active Lifestyle: We all know that isolation and low activity levels are a recipe for poor retiree health and happiness. President and CEO of 2Life Communities, Amy Schectman, states that “Loneliness is the biggest threat to our resident’s health. It’s a bigger threat than smoking and obesity. It can also increase the rate of dementia. Our answer to isolation is community.” As such, active adult living trends incorporate lifelong learning opportunities, retiree-led clubs and activities and intergenerational opportunities.

How does this version of future retirement life sound to you? Would you like to live in a smart-home, filled with eco-friendly features indoors, natural landscaping outdoors and community at your doorstep?

Resource Used: The new retirement living: More baby boomers shun housing mega-developments