Multi-use developments are a popular concept in commercial real-estate. But the incorporation of senior housing into a multi-use development is a relatively new concept.
A multi-use senior citizen housing refers to a senior living community that includes offerings open to both the residents and people who reside in the surrounding community. They can take the form of a single building, a group of buildings, or a whole neighborhood and can be classified into:
- Horizontal Multi-Use Developments: These constitute single-use buildings that are close to one another or even connected
- Vertical Multi-Use Developments: These housing types integrate various uses within the same building with public uses like restaurants, retail, or commercial businesses on the lower floors and private uses like residential units, office spaces, or hotel rooms on the upper floors.
- Master Plan Developments: These typically cover a large area and contain multiple buildings and public places that serve both residents and the neighboring communities at large in different ways.
Why Multi-Use Senior Citizen Housing is on the Rise
There are several reasons why multi-use senior citizen housing is becoming more prevalent. Here’s a look at some key reasons.
Vibrance and Convenience of Urban Living
One of the key reasons more seniors are embracing multi-use senior citizen housing is the desire to live in a more urban setting. They are eager to be closer to the action, where they have more opportunities to experience more social and cultural engagements.
Today’s senior citizens also prefer being integrated into a community of people of all ages rather than being isolated in a suburban environment or nursing home. They desire to live in a community that offers an active lifestyle with more options and a deeper connection to the larger community through intergenerational interactions.
These desires can be met by incorporating senior housing into multi-use developments that provide all the options, services, and amenities that seniors want.
The healthcare component of urban living also plays a significant role in the booming of multi-use senior citizen housing. While some of these developments are built near healthcare institutions, some include medical centers in their blueprints. Small nurse stations, exam rooms, and buildings to perform on-site medical services are becoming prominent features in multi-use senior citizen housing developments. Residents can, therefore, conveniently receive medical services on-site.
Senior citizens are also embracing multi-use developments because of their convenience in terms of proximity to ATMs and postal services. Most multi-use housing developments have a one-stop center where residents can access various amenities such as shopping centers, postal services, and ATMs. They, therefore, have the independence to conveniently obtain various items and enjoy various services on their own time.
Imaginative Environments Rich in Hospitality and Conveniences
Many multi-use senior citizen housing developments are designed so that seniors can easily access all the amenities they need. This may include modifying existing layouts, strategically placing countertops and cabinets, and adding upgraded appliances.
Another trend that makes these residences more hospitable for seniors is the presence of cyber cafes with internet access, urban grills, resort-style pool decks, coffee bistros, on-site dining, and English pubs.
Living in a multi-use development gives seniors more options to choose from. For instance, they don’t have to go through the monotony of dining in a single place every other day—multi-use developments offer several choices in terms of venues.
Some multi-use developments even offer transportation to off-site venues. Seniors there don’t need to worry about driving every time they need to go off-site.
The shift in Focus to Entertainment, Social Events, and Recreational Facilities
Socialization has become a big part of senior living. Senior citizens no longer want to be confined in suburban areas, senior nursing homes, or rural environments. They want to live in an environment that allows them to grow and offers them several opportunities to socialize and get entertained.
Multi-use housing for senior citizens ensures seniors can realize these desires in a number of ways. They add cultural centers with an art collection and educational institutions where seniors can reignite their artistic talent. These residences are also being built with better exercise and activity rooms. Saunas, aquatic therapy pools, and whirlpools have become the standard. Gyms, therapy fitness centers, weight rooms, walking trails, and meditation gardens are also becoming common features in these facilities.
Outlook of the Multi-Use Senior Citizen Housing Market
The US population is aging. The large baby boomer generation began turning 65 in 2011, and this age cohort is expected to be over 65 by 2030. This generation is sometimes referred to as “the wave” since it makes up a large percentage of the population. It’s expected that the baby boomer generation will require significant healthcare support and housing services.
There’s also a rise in life expectancy in the US, which calls for increased investment in infrastructure to support the longer-living population. According to the CDC, the average life expectancy in the US will increase to 85.6 by 2060 due to prevention programs, medical inventions, and support and medication for chronic diseases.
As the aging population gradually grows, multi-use housing for senior citizens will continue to boom. Meeting the housing demands of senior citizens will require reevaluating the existing housing models. This means building houses that serve the resident’s and the community’s needs and offering them new possibilities.
Understanding senior citizens’ housing and infrastructural needs and building houses that meet their needs will go a long way in ensuring that real-estate investors thrive in the soon-to-be more cut-throat industry.
Ted Trout Architects & Associates Can Help You with Your Multi-Use Senior Citizen Housing Project
The growing trend of multi-use housing for seniors reflects how most seniors who reside in urban settings already live. It makes seniors feel more integrated, stimulated, useful, and authentic.
As more seniors warm up to the idea of living in multi-use senior citizen housing rather than being isolated in suburban and rural settlements, the demand for this housing will continue to rise, and so will competition.
We at Ted Trout Architects & Associates work closely with state agencies to provide licensed facilities ranging from multi-use senior housing, independent senior living, skilled nursing facilities to assisted living & memory facilities. We understand the unique design challenges necessary for successful project performance. Contact us for detailed information on our services and projects.
