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Americans Need Better Senior Housing Options

Wed, 03/08/2000 - 1:00am — Karen Stevenson
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Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies has published a new report, "Housing America's Seniors," based on a two year study. This report concludes that the housing industry will need to react to the growing need for home modifications and expanded housing choices as the population ages. The study found that about 10% of older Americans live in age-restricted communities, and only about 1/3 of that segment live in communities that provide some sort of care or assistance. Another 10% of older people either move in with someone else, or have someone else move in with them as a way of receiving care assistance. The report concluded that only about half of seniors with disabilities have the home modifications they need. Interestingly, the report also found that most seniors lock in housing decisions before they turn 65, so they will need good information to understand their options and plan accordingly.

Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies has published a new report, "Housing America's Seniors," based on a two year study. This report concludes that the housing industry will need to react to the growing need for home modifications and expanded housing choices as the population ages. The study found that about 10% of older Americans live in age-restricted communities, and only about 1/3 of that segment live in communities that provide some sort of care or assistance. Another 10% of older people either move in with someone else, or have someone else move in with them as a way of receiving care assistance. The report concluded that only about half of seniors with disabilities have the home modifications they need. Interestingly, the report also found that most seniors lock in housing decisions before they turn 65, so they will need good information to understand their options and plan accordingly.