PPA 419 – Aging Services Administration Lecture 7b – Residential Settlement Patterns

Source Golant, S. M. (2002). Deciding where to live: The emerging residential settlement patterns of retired Americans. Generations, 26(2), Golant, S. M. (2002). Deciding where to live: The emerging residential settlement patterns of retired Americans. Generations, 26(2),

Introduction Retirement is a pivotal life event that causes millions of people in their early 60s to reassess whether their current residential situation will be consistent with new lifestyle, work, family, and housing realities. Retirement is a pivotal life event that causes millions of people in their early 60s to reassess whether their current residential situation will be consistent with new lifestyle, work, family, and housing realities. Life course theoretical models refer to these potential residential adjustments as “the first move.” Life course theoretical models refer to these potential residential adjustments as “the first move.”

Introduction First move characteristics. First move characteristics. Most stay at current address initially. Most stay at current address initially. A smaller percentage move into planned communities. A smaller percentage move into planned communities. Another group moves into unplanned communities predominantly occupied by their age group. Another group moves into unplanned communities predominantly occupied by their age group.

Introduction Driven by demographic changes. Driven by demographic changes. During the 1990s, greatest percentage growth occurred in mid 70s and mid 80s. During the 1990s, greatest percentage growth occurred in mid 70s and mid 80s. Focus of policy on vulnerable and frail elderly. Focus of policy on vulnerable and frail elderly. Decrements in health prompted second and third moves Decrements in health prompted second and third moves During the 2000s, greatest percentage growth in age group. During the 2000s, greatest percentage growth in age group. New focus on younger retirees. New focus on younger retirees.

The Emergence of DOUERs The next two decades will see an increasingly greater number and share of townhouses, apartment buildings, subdivisions, neighborhoods, towns, communities, and even small cities that are predominantly occupied by older Americans. The next two decades will see an increasingly greater number and share of townhouses, apartment buildings, subdivisions, neighborhoods, towns, communities, and even small cities that are predominantly occupied by older Americans. Called DOUERs (Deliberately Occupied but Unplanned Elder Residences). Called DOUERs (Deliberately Occupied but Unplanned Elder Residences).

The Emergence of DOUERs DOUERs will be created by two trends. DOUERs will be created by two trends. Aging in place Aging in place Older people deliberately selecting location because of its reputation as a highly desirable place for older adults to live. Older people deliberately selecting location because of its reputation as a highly desirable place for older adults to live. Diverse populations. Diverse populations. Movers more educated, higher-income, self-reliant, optimistic. Movers more educated, higher-income, self-reliant, optimistic. Agers in place lower-income habituated to poor physical conditions with no hope of change. Agers in place lower-income habituated to poor physical conditions with no hope of change.

The Emergence of DOUERs Used to be called naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs). Used to be called naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs). But not naturally occurring. The results of deliberate decisions. But not naturally occurring. The results of deliberate decisions. Not really communities defined as shared interests. Not really communities defined as shared interests. May not be retired. May not be retired.

Aging in Place Factors increasing likelihood of aging in place. Factors increasing likelihood of aging in place. Older homeowners have traditionally shown a reluctance to change residences and locations. Older homeowners have traditionally shown a reluctance to change residences and locations. Home equity only available for catastrophic circumstances. Home equity only available for catastrophic circumstances. Aging of older suburbs and their populations aided by more available transportation. Aging of older suburbs and their populations aided by more available transportation. Most own transportation. Most own transportation. More have learned to drive. More have learned to drive. Fewer with physical and mental disabilities. Fewer with physical and mental disabilities. More technological gadgetry. More technological gadgetry. Suburbia closer to services. Suburbia closer to services.

Aging in Place Factors increasing likelihood of aging in place. Factors increasing likelihood of aging in place. As the chronological eligibility for Social Security is raised, more seniors may opt to work longer. As the chronological eligibility for Social Security is raised, more seniors may opt to work longer. Desire to remain in labor market may keep seniors from moving. Desire to remain in labor market may keep seniors from moving.

Moving to Elder Enclaves When older people do change residences, most relocate to nearby communities, often in the same counties. When older people do change residences, most relocate to nearby communities, often in the same counties. Baby boomers may be even more inclined to stay close to friends and family. Baby boomers may be even more inclined to stay close to friends and family. Most of the growth in western and southern smaller and medium-sized cities. Most of the growth in western and southern smaller and medium-sized cities. When they do move they no longer move to the big four (Florida, California, Arizona, and Texas. When they do move they no longer move to the big four (Florida, California, Arizona, and Texas. By 1990, the states included New Jersey, Washington, Virginia, and Georgia. By 1990, the states included New Jersey, Washington, Virginia, and Georgia. Relocating to locations with universities and small communities offering conventional affordable housing and recreational opportunities. Lower crime and less pollution, lower cost of living. Relocating to locations with universities and small communities offering conventional affordable housing and recreational opportunities. Lower crime and less pollution, lower cost of living.

Elders in PERCs Planned elder residential complexes (PERCs). Planned elder residential complexes (PERCs). Congregate housing. Congregate housing. Assisted living. Assisted living. Continuing-care retirement communities. Continuing-care retirement communities. Planned communities range from the simple residential subdivision containing a few hundred homes and offering only a clubhouse and a swimming pool to the large, self-contained recreation-rich retirement towns. Planned communities range from the simple residential subdivision containing a few hundred homes and offering only a clubhouse and a swimming pool to the large, self-contained recreation-rich retirement towns.

Elders in PERCs Active-adult retirement communities are specifically built and marketed to older people seeking the features of a planned community. Active-adult retirement communities are specifically built and marketed to older people seeking the features of a planned community. Generalization is difficult, but: Generalization is difficult, but: PERCs found increasingly in locations other than the warm climates of Florida, Arizona, and California. PERCs found increasingly in locations other than the warm climates of Florida, Arizona, and California. Dwellings in the communities have become increasingly upscale. Dwellings in the communities have become increasingly upscale. The new occupants are demanding more services, amenities and programs. The new occupants are demanding more services, amenities and programs. Resident profile is also different. More affluent, single, younger Resident profile is also different. More affluent, single, younger As residents age, older communities have had to retrofit. As residents age, older communities have had to retrofit. Developers also changing with more financial institutions involved. Developers also changing with more financial institutions involved.

Elders in PERCs Future generations may be more inclined to move into PERCs Future generations may be more inclined to move into PERCs Higher self-esteem, higher status, Baby boomers. Less of a negative stigma to communities. Higher self-esteem, higher status, Baby boomers. Less of a negative stigma to communities. Familiar way of living with increasing frequency of gated communities. Familiar way of living with increasing frequency of gated communities. Marketing may also target alternative ethnicity and sexual orientation. Marketing may also target alternative ethnicity and sexual orientation.