A Study of Senior Housing Preferences By Cory Daughton, The Ohio State University

Senior Housing Preferences Problem Statement By 2026, the population of Americans over 65 will have doubled to 71.5 million. 89% of seniors choose to “Stay at Home” as long as possible. How many will be able to do this safely? We lack the housing resources to meet the rising need of this “Aging Crisis”

Senior Housing Preferences Research Question At some point it could be unsafe or problematic for many older adults to stay at home—what housing options do seniors prefer if they are no longer able to remain at home?

Senior Housing Preferences Methodology for Pilot Study Research on alternative housing preferences is limited. What are seniors second choices? Visited Edgewood Senior Center, Edgewood MD on November 29th and surveyed 10 seniors

Senior Housing Preferences: Methodology Anonymous Survey included Basic demographics Current living situation Lifestyle questions Preference toward age segregation Factors most-or-least important if a housing change was needed

Senior Housing Preferences: Methodology Opinions and preferences toward 6 housing options Staying At Home/Aging in Place Living Near or With Family Condo or Retirement Community Continuing Care Community Traditional Nursing Home Shared Living

Senior Housing Preferences: Results Basic Participant Statistics: 10 participants interviewed 2 Males, 8 Females Ages ranged from Average age was 73 70% still drive regularly

Senior Housing Preferences: Results

Other key findings If physical health changes 4 of 9 plan to move If physical health changes 5 of 9 plan to make changes at home 4 out of 5 prefer to live with their own age (not all responded)

Senior Housing Preferences: Results Least important factors to consider when changing housing Pool Library Not having to do yard work Most important factors to consider when changing housing Retaining independence Staying home Access to medical care Gardening

Senior Housing Preferences: Results When given a choice between a newly designed continuing care facility and shared housing, 5 out of 6 responders chose the newly designed continuing care facility

Senior Housing Preferences: Limitations Survey could be improved by making it shorter and making layout clearer Participants preferred to verbally share feelings verses writing down feelings Open-ended questions less successful One-on-one interview style more successful Multiple choice/limited option questions preferred Participants were familiar with most of the housing options. Descriptions should be simplified to no more than three basic statements about each

Senior Housing Preferences: Implications It is clear that remaining at home is the most preferred living option, but the need for quality medical care was a concern for participants This research highlights the fact that nearly half of the participants do not expect to remain at home their entire life and nearly all are strongly opposed to traditional nursing homes This research helps point to what options are most preferred and how future resources could be allocated

Senior Housing Preferences: Implications Based on my findings, I believe there is interest in Continuing Care Facilities that offer essential amenities but are more affordable than the spa- inspired facilities.