Many seniors live independently, but eventually, they may need extra help. This is where senior living communities come in—they provide supportive care to help older adults thrive. Senior living is essential now and will be even more as time passes.
Americans are living longer than ever, leading to a greater need for senior living communities. Senior living will change as generations pass, and older adults have different wants, needs, values, and interests. No matter these changes, senior living communities will always work to provide supportive care.
Predicting the future is never certain, but senior living will change and adapt with time.
The Future of Aging in America
The population of older adults has been growing in America (and the rest of the world) for decades. According to the 2020 United States Census Bureau, 16.8% of the American population are 65 and older, a total of 55.8 million people.
These statistics have been growing for the past ten years—since 2010, the population experienced its largest increase in older adults since the 1800s. A total of 15.5 million people over 65, more than double the growth from the 1980s to the 1990s.
This number will likely rise with time, with even more older adults in their 60s and above from 2030 and beyond.
People Are Living Longer than Ever
In the 1920s, 1 in 20 Americans were 65 and older. As of 2020, 1 in 6 people are 65 and older. The baby boomer generation (1946 to 1964) began reaching their 60s in the early 2010s, which has mainly caused the rise in older adults. This rise should continue till 2030 when it will gradually slow down.
The 65–74 demographic counts for over 50% of the 65 and older population, 1 in 10 Americans.
As more Americans reach their 60s and above, there is an increased need for family caretakers. Many older adults are also hoping to age in place, staying in their long-term home. As more adults age, there will be a greater need for senior living options like assisted living and memory care.
What Does This Mean for Senior Living?
While the support provided in senior living communities is always beneficial, there will be changes in the industry. There will likely be more demand for older adults to join senior living communities as the population rises and demographics change with time.
The Population Reference Bureau has noted that older adults today are more racially and ethnically diverse. Communities need to account for future residents to have varied cultures.
While every person is unique, each generation has different qualities, values, and viewpoints. A senior living community’s current services and amenities may not be what future residents want or need.
Older Adults Will Always Need Support
Older adults will always need senior living, regardless of demographic changes. Senior living communities offer many services and amenities that make life easier, including transportation, meals, housekeeping, health and wellness programs, social activities, and more.
As our population ages, older adults can benefit from access to these supportive resources to maintain their quality of life. No matter what changes come, the specialized care offered by senior living communities can help older adults live safely and comfortably in their later years.
Older adults in a senior living community will always need support in the activities of daily living, including:
- Dressing
- Cooking
- Eating
- Using the washroom
- Bathing
- Brushing teeth
- Moving on their own
Find the Right Senior Living Lifestyle for Your Loved One
Everyone ages differently, meaning every resident in a senior living community has unique needs. Your loved one may be able to live independently but want more time to enjoy their hobbies and interests, or they may need more long-term care. There are many different senior living lifestyles.
These different lifestyles include:
- Independent living: Independent living is ideal for seniors looking to get the most out of life. Residents live independently and can enjoy their hobbies, interests, and activities while staff help with daily living.
- Assisted living: Assisted living helps older adults who need extra support live life to the fullest. Staff are available 24 hours to provide a helping hand, but residents live independently otherwise.
- Memory care: Memory care is for older adults with dementia or cognitive decline. These communities have unique designs to reduce confusion and trained staff to help residents live as independently as possible while meeting their daily needs.
- Long-term skilled care: Long-term skilled care is ideal for older adults who require daily support with an illness or chronic injury. Residents can access physical, occupational, and speech therapists to help support their needs.
Visit a Community Today
Senior living will continue to evolve just as people do, but it will always be available to enhance the quality of care for those in need. While some aspects of senior living may change, the overall goal will remain the same—to provide quality care to older adults so they can live comfortably and happily.
Contact Juniper Senior Living to visit one of our communities.