A Study of Senior Housing Preferences

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

2. Senior Housing PreferencesProblem 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”

3. Senior Housing PreferencesResearch 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?

4. Senior Housing PreferencesMethodology 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Senior Housing Preferences: Results • Basic Participant Statistics: 10 participants interviewed • 2 Males, 8 Females • Ages ranged from 64-81 • Average age was 73 • 70% still drive regularly

8. Senior Housing Preferences: Results

9. Senior Housing Preferences: Results

10. Senior Housing Preferences: Results

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.