Builders and housing developers are having difficulty finding the correct terminology to market communities designed for older adults.

A recent survey suggests that 59 percent of baby boomers plan to relocate for retirement, creating a potentially lucrative market that builders want to target. However, marketing aimed towards the 55 and older population has proved challenging due to varying definitions about what constitutes "active-adult". Terms such as "intergenerational" and "carefree living" are being used interchangeably to describe 'active adult' communities, creating confusion among potential buyers and making it difficult for professionals to capture the baby boomer market.

Many buyers are also planning for the future and are looking for homes that will allow them to "age in place" and that can be adapted to fit their changing needs as they grow older. Features such as grass-cutting, yard maintenance, and community social activities make these communities especially attractive to those who are willing to pay for these types of services. According to a study by the National Association of Home Builders and Countrywide Home Loans, one-fourth of home buyers 50 and older are paying more for the home they plan to retire in than they did for previous homes.

As increasing numbers of baby boomers begin retire, builders are preparing themselves by studying the market carefully and making available the features and services that will enable people to remain in their homes for as long as possible.

Source: Charlotte Business Journal, "Adult tag confuses marketing." (08/28/03); Sidden, Jennifer B.

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October 1st : International Day of Older Persons

Communities around the world will participate to observe this day with programs developed to raise awareness about the challenges to older persons and highlight important global aging events.

History:

In 1990, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared October 1st of each year as the International Day of Older Persons (the “International Day”). This worldwide celebration recognizes the dramatic increases in the numbers of people living to an advanced old age and the direct bearing on relationships within families, equity across generations, lifestyles, and effects on society.

Each community is encouraged to create its own programs and activities that will promote this international day dedicated to honoring older people.

For additional information on how you or your agency can participate, click here or visit www.aoa.gov.

National "Aging in Place" Week to Take Place November 9-15

The Resource Center is pleased to participate in organizing the first National Aging in Place Week. Its purpose is to bring attention to the role that home modifications play in independent living for older persons by making homes safer, more comfortable, and supportive. It is intended to educate older persons and their relatives, concerned professionals, and policy makers about home modification measures that promote aging in place. The week has been initiated by the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association with the assistance of an Advisory Council including the Resource Center, the Center for Universal Design at the North Carolina State University, and the IDEA Center of the State University of New York at Buffalo.

In southern California, we are considering the following events: organized tours of homes that have successfully undergone home modifications; educational forums to inform the public about the benefits of home modifications; and, professional workshops for practitioners from various professions to discuss home modifications and other issues related to aging in place. If you would like to participate in the southern California events, please contact Maria Henke at (213) 740-1364 or email mhenke@usc.edu.

Click here to visit the National Advisory Council on Aging In Place website, www.seniorsafehome.com for information on design ideas, useful products and how to find them, and professionals who can help plan and implement home modifications.

Number of Sibling Caregivers Expected to Grow

Reductions in supportive housing, government funding, and social in-home support will require siblings to take on additional caregiving responsibilities for disabled brothers and sisters. Current reductions in federal and state funding threaten many of the services families need to take care of their relatives.

With an estimated 6.5 million disabled Americans requiring the need of a caregiver, an increased number of siblings are expected to help fulfill those needs. Parents are usually the lead caregivers of disabled children and as they begin to age and experience physical and health challenges of their own, they will no longer be able to provide the same level of caregiving duties. The most likely to be affected by the parent-to-sibling transfer is the baby boomer generation. Parent-to-sibling transfer occurs when siblings are left to take over caregiving responsibilities after the death of the last parent.

As more people with disabilities continue to live longer due to advances in medical care, the number of sibling caregivers is expected to grow. Without supportive and supervised housing available, the only ones left to care for this vulnerable population are relatives. Families should begin planning for this type of scenario as early as possible, in order to anticipate problems and help protect disabled family members.

Source: Richmond Times, "What About Me? More Aging Siblings Left to Care for Disabled Brothers, Sisters." (9/15/03).

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California City to Begin Construction of Independent-Living Complex

Construction of the Burbank's first independent living complex for the severely disabled could begin as early as February 2004. The 18-unit project will feature universal design features such as lowered light switches, tilted mirrors and ramps, and wheelchair-accessible showers with wider doorways. For added tenant safety, each unit will also include an emergency call system.

The organization responsible for the 18-unit, $3.5 million dollar project is the United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. According to the organization's chief executive Ron Cohen, all but $250,000 of the total amount needed has been raised with construction planned to begin in the next six months.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "Housing planned for severely disabled." (9/13/03); Bell, Jackson.

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High-Tech Devices Make Life Easier for AD Patients

As the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive impairment among the elderly continues to increase, an array of technologies are being developed to assist people compensate for their memory deficits, combat social isolation, and maintain their independence for as long as possible.

These devices are expected to help slow the course of symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of cognitive decline by assisting patients with memory prompts, enabling them to remain active physically and mentally, longer. Several systems have been developed by scientists at the Intel's People and Practices Research Lab that include an electronic "cheat sheet" that helps dementia patients remember names and faces for events such as weddings or business meetings. Another device made up of several thousand sensors, is implanted in the person's shoes and house and is designed to monitor movements and relay the information to desktop PCs, televisions, or radios, which will offer visual or verbal prompts to the patient to get up, drink, or eat something.

Caregivers can also expect to benefit from these new devices. Electronic safety devices can enable them to run errands and keep track of the Alzheimer's patient who is in need of constant monitoring, thus helping reduce caregiver burnout. With an estimated 4.5 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer's, high-tech devices such as these can help make life easier for both patients and their caregivers.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "Furnishing a house with memory cues." (9/15/03);
Author: Marsa, Linda.

To view the full-length article, Click Here, or visit www.latimes.com.