6 trends to watch in senior housing market
LONDON: The current issues and successes within the senior housing sector are already paving the way for new trends.
1. Transitioning Home
More and more, seniors are choosing to stay at home for as long as possible. Advancements in modern medicine are turning this into a reality.
Many of the diseases that may have once limited the activities of the senior population have been largely destroyed. Today’s seniors are among the first in history that have grown up in a world without polio, which was cured in 1953.
Measles was cured in 2000, and a vaccine for mumps was created in 1967. The widespread use of vaccinations created a revolution in heath in the 20th century.
The growing trend towards marijuana legalization may also be promising. Studies have shown that certain symptoms of dementia may now get treated with cannabis.
2. Greener Living Options
The green movement has been growing exponentially since the threat of global warming was discovered in the 1980s. However, it’s not fear of global warming that’s pushing the aging populations, and the places that care for them, to go green.
Another type of green is driving this change–money. As time goes on, it’s becoming cheaper to be environmentally-friendly.
The use of solar panels is cutting down on the need for city power, and lowering the amount of energy used will also lower the bills.
This trend is only expected to continue, and perhaps grow, in the coming years as necessity drives greener technologies and political decisions.
3. Memory Care
Memory care is a new idea in medicine, but it looks promising so far. It is believed that creating environments that are more familiar to people with dementia can reduce certain symptoms and increase awareness in patients.
To this end, some facilities are putting patients in rooms decorated in the styles of decades past. There have been some positive responses to this so far, and if the therapy continues to show promise, it may become more widespread.
Are memory care rooms the way of the future? Only time will tell.
4. The Decline of Nursing Homes
Nursing home abuse is horrifying, and it seems to be rampant. Many seniors, especially those with mental impairments such as dementia, are prone to victimization by both staff and other patients.
Part of this issue is the use of unskilled labor. While those from unskilled backgrounds may have issues that make them more likely to abuse, the bigger issue is that they’re not trained.
Senior Housing News believes this is a major issue, and it’s difficult to disagree.
It is believed that roughly half of all dementia patients are neglected or abused. While there could be any number of reasons for this, hiring people from more professional backgrounds may help. This guarantees that employees have more experience treating dementia and are more compassionate towards those with it.
5. Senior Co-Housing
Co-housing or community housing has been compared to living in a college dorm. Residents have their own rooms and perhaps other spaces, but certain areas will be shared with other residents.
Often, these shared spaces will be kitchens or living rooms. This creates a space for privacy while also encouraging socializing with neighbors.
This type of housing often comes with a chore rotation, so your loved ones will have less responsibility while still retaining some independence.
However, co-housing is not the only option with a social emphasis. Many other senior housing facilities are trying to create a greater range of social activities to keep seniors happy and engaged with one another.
Options vary from place to place, but they may include anything from game nights to exercise classes. Some may even be allowed to go on field trips and experience the outside world.
As social connection becomes a major feature of senior housing, many may turn to a Senior Living Management Company to help create more social senior communities.
6. Technological Advancement
It’s not just the younger generation that’s embracing the 21st century. Seniors are doing so as well.
You may have seen a few of the innovations that are starting to revolutionize senior care, like buttons on phones or necklaces that automatically call 911. However, that’s only the beginning.
Apps and programs have been created to deal with many aspects of senior life. Some programs help to remind seniors when medication needs to be taken. This will help the seniors deal with their medical needs while keeping them somewhat independent.
There are also tools to help track the overall health and medical history of seniors so that doctors can more easily treat them and those around them can stay updated on their health and well-being.
Some of the more extravagant experiments are in the field of robotics. Many are attempting to create robotic caregivers to help treat seniors.
