| Marketing, Customer Satisfaction, Design to Be Featured at Senior Housing Symposium The NAHB Seniors Housing Council recently announced the featured speakers at Building for Boomers & Beyond: Seniors Housing Symposium 2005 from May 16-18 at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Va. The two featured speakers will be Paula Sonkin, who has launched J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction surveys for airlines, rental car companies and hotels; and David B. Wolfe, of The Center for Ageless Marketing and an expert on marketing to seniors. Sonkin will discuss findings from the recent J.D. Power Home Builder Survey pertaining to seniors housing, share J.D. Power methodology used to rate customer satisfaction, and shatter myths associated with developing a customer satisfaction initiative. Wolfe, the author of "Ageless Marketing: Strategies for Reaching the Hearts and Minds of the New Customer Majority" and "Serving the Ageless Market," will discuss how aging boomers are more like their parents at comparable ages than commonly believed, and how companies that understand this will be poised for greater success in the seniors market. Additionally, new programs at the symposium will include a "How to Get Started in Active Adult Housing" course for industry newcomers and "Designing for the Active Adult," a new NAHB designation course. The symposium will also feature more than 20 education sessions covering such topics as amenities, design, multifamily, marketing and sales and the latest research and trends. There will also be a bus tour or several active adult communities in the Washington, D.C. area. To learn more about the Building for Boomers & Beyond symposium or to register, visit the NAHB website. back to top '2020' Vision Needed to Prepare for Baby Boomer Retirement Explosion According to a recent article in Nation's Building News (February 21, 2005), Stephen Wattenbarger, AIA with Wattenbarger Architects, believes that those in the active adult housing industry need to begin thinking about what the year 2020 will be like for baby boomers. Futurists say we need to consider a broader vision when designing communities for 2020. According to Wattenbarger, this means that those in the industry should look beyond being just developers and builders and become part social psychologist, gerontologist, outdoor enthusiast and operator to increase their market reach and appeal. Wattenbarger emphasizes the need to anticipate and think creatively about the future needs of boomers. For example, creative activities should be added to the more traditional ones currently offered in active adult communities. Wattenbarger points out that, in addition to becoming healthier, boomers are also continuing their education and reinventing their careers. Communities that are linked to a university or college are a growing trend, as is university-linked senior living. Additionally, of the 75% of boomers who intend to keep working past traditional retirement age, many want to pursue new careers, perhaps dream careers they never had the opportunity to explore. The resulting trend is a growing demand for home office space rather than an extra bedroom, or the desire to transform the traditional living room into a "work" space. Home office space is also being designed into independent and assisted living apartments. To learn more, read the complete article. back to top CPSC Releases "Special Report" on Older Consumer Injuries The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently released a special report on older consumer injuries. According to the study, more than 1.45 million Americans 65 years and older went to hospital emergency rooms with consumer product-related injuries in 2002. The report, titled "Special Report: Emergency Room Injuries Adults 65 and Older," found that consumers in that age group are increasingly at risk for product-related injuries in or around the home, especially falls. Those 75 years and older are particularly vulnerable. From 1991 to 2002, the number of people 75 and older treated in a U.S. hospital emergency room for a product-related injury jumped 73 percent, even though the population grew just 27 percent. In 2003, more than 15,000 Americans 65 and older died as a result of unintentional injuries in the home, according to National Safety Council (NSC) President and CEO Alan C. McMillan. Injuries include falling and tripping on stairs, in bathtubs, off ladders and step stools, over garden hoses, dog leashes, and household appliance cords. The CPSC has published safety tips to help reduce deaths and injuries to older consumers from falls. Tips include installing grab bars and slip-resistant surfaces in bathrooms, using stable step stools with a top handrail, gripping handrails on stairs and keeping stairs well lighted, and keeping floors clear and slip resistant. In conjunction with the report's release, the CPSC and the NSC have kicked off a major education campaign to warn older Americans of their risks. To learn more about the report or the education campaign, read the complete press release. back to top Survey Reveals Changes in 50-Plus Consumers' Attitudes toward Real Estate ERA Real Estate recently released the results of its annual survey of mature consumers on their opinions toward real estate and the home buying and selling process. According to the study, which surveyed more than 1,500 people age 50 and older, older buyers' attitudes about real estate may be changing, in contrast to some long-held assumptions. For example, although it is commonly believed that typical aging homeowners are looking to move to an active adult community and downsize, the survey results show that only eight percent of those considering a move in the next five years indicated that they might consider purchasing a home in an active adult community. Additionally, more than 61 percent are considering buying a single family home, and although only 11 percent felt that their current home was too big, 25 percent thought their home was too small. Seniors also proved to be more savvy and demanding when it comes to technology. In fact, those considering moving in the next five years chose the Internet as the most popular home buying research method, up from the second most common choice mentioned in study the previous year. For more information and other survey findings, read the complete press release. back to top Boomers, Seniors Drive Surge in Vacation Home Buying According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), people aged 55 or older and earning an average of $71,000 per year were the driving force in a surge of vacation home buying in 2004 - up 16.3 percent from 2003, and equaling 13 percent of all homes bought in 2004. This surge, however, was topped by investment home purchases, which were 23 percent of all sales and up 14.4 percent, according to a new study. Because the typical second-home buyer is a baby boomer, it's likely over the next decade that second-home sales will remain historically high, according to David Lereah, NAR's chief economist. "The boomers are still in their peak earning years and have both the wherewithal and the desire to purchase vacation homes and investment properties," he said. The 2004 National Association of Realtors® of Profile of Second-Home Buyers can be ordered by calling (800) 874-6500. The cost is $35 for NAR members and $50 for non-members. For more information, including other findings of the study, read the complete press release. back to top An Elder Cohousing "Getting Started" Workshop Elder Cohousing is offering workshops for those interested in learning more about creating and living in a resident-planned and resident-managed, new style of an "old-fashioned" community where neighborliness, friendship, an active lifestyle and support are foremost. The workshops will introduce the Elder Cohousing development process and is applicable for builders and developers, architects, aging and healthcare specialists and elders who want to learn how to create these innovative, environmentally and socially sustainable neighborhoods. Upcoming workshops will be offered on March 18 - 20, 2005, June 24 - 26, 2005 and September 23 - 25, 2005. The workshops will be held at the "green built" St. Julian Hotel in Boulder, Colo., and cost $250 for individuals, $225 for Elder Cohousing Members, $200 for additional group members, and $495 for professionals in the elder care or building industries. To learn more or to view a daily schedule of the workshops, visit the Elder Cohousing website. back to top Models of Livable Communities Competition Now Open The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Center for Home Care Policy and Research recently announced that applications are now being accepted for the Models of Livable Communities Competition. The purpose of the competition is to identify and showcase cities and counties that exemplify a livable community and to highlight promising practices that can be used by local governments throughout the country in preparing for the aging of the baby boom population. Through the development and national dissemination of case studies that highlight leading practices, AoA aims to inspire other communities to also become Livable Communities for All Ages, including older adults. For purposes of the competition, livable communities are defined as cities and counties that have successfully taken specific actions in response to changing demographics to make significant improvements in affordable and accessible housing and transportation; accessible-built work environments; work, education and volunteer opportunities; access to health and supportive services; and citizen participation in civic affairs and cultural events. Livable communities strive to provide choice, maximize independence, assure safety and security, promote inclusiveness and provide readily available, culturally appropriate information. Applications are due on May 2, 2005. For more information, including Competition guidelines and a complete entry form, visit the AoA's Visiting Nurse Service of New York website. back to top Caring for Seniors Living Across the Country According to a recent article in the Lincoln Journal (February 24, 2005), caring for older family members living far away is a growing concern for many Americans. Current estimates show that up to seven million Americans are currently providing long-distance care to an elderly loved one, which can often be a frustrating experience. Ted Bernhardt, owner of the Boston North West office of Right at Home, a national organization that offers in-home supportive care to seniors and other adults to help them continue living independently, has several tips for family members who are caring for a senior remotely. According to Bernhardt, talking to seniors about their needs is often the first step. Keeping seniors involved in determining the level of care they need can ease some of their anxiety. Once a need for care is established, families should research services, local agencies, in-home supportive care providers and senior centers. Bernhardt also suggests being prepared by having specific medical, legal and other personal details that pertain to the senior close at hand, such as doctors' names, medications, insurance information and legal council. With the senior's permission, remote family members can stay involved by asking for e-mail updates from doctors or caregivers, or by being teleconferenced for medical appointments. For more information on caring for a senior across long distances, read the complete article. back to top NCOA Study Shows Reverse Mortgages Can Help Seniors Pay for Long Term Care at Home The National Council on the Aging (NCOA) recently released a study that shows that reverse mortgages can be used by over 13 million Americans to pay for long-term care expenses at home, allowing many to remain independent and in their homes longer. Reverse mortgages are loans that allow homeowners aged 62 and over to convert home equity into cash while living at home for as long as they want. Borrowers continue to own their homes, and do not need to make any monthly payments. Instead, they can choose to receive the funds as a lump sum, line of credit, or as monthly payments (for up to life). The loan comes due only when the last borrower moves out, dies or sells the home. According to the study, 9.8 million elder households (aged 62 and older) are dealing with impairments that complicate living at home. These households could potentially access as much as $695 billion through reverse mortgages. For individuals, this money could help with family caregiving and other long-term care expenses. For example, a borrower aged 75 with a home worth $100,000 could receive a reverse mortgage loan that could pay them $500 a month for almost 12 years. The "Use Your Home to Stay at Home: Expanding the Use of Reverse Mortgages to Pay for Long Term Care" report, funded by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, also shows how reverse mortgages can alleviate financial pressure not only for individuals and families, but also for state Medicaid programs and the federal government. Increasing the market for reverse mortgages could save Medicaid $3.3 billion (with a four percent take up rate) annually by 2010. However, many older homeowners worry that they risk impoverishment, or won't be able to leave a legacy to their children if they tap home equity. The cost of these loans, and current Medicaid policies on how reverse mortgages affect eligibility for long-term care benefits, also appear to be barriers. For more information, read the complete press release. The full report and a PowerPoint presentation detailing the findings from the report are also available online. back to top Universal Village: Livable Communities in the 21st Century The AARP Global Aging Program has announced that it will host "Universal Village: Livable Communities in the 21st Century" on June 15, 2005. The international conference will highlight progress made in housing, mobility, and technology and aims to initiate a dialogue and exchange of ideas and best practices on a number of important common issues and challenges in livable communities. The conference will be held from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. For more information or to register, visit the conference website. back to top | 
