By Jami Gibson

Each day, more and more baby boomers age and retire. Many communities are focused on developing and recruiting the necessary workforce to replace these retirees, but what about attracting and retaining the retirees themselves? This is an entire sector of the population that has retirement income, pension funds, and skills to further your community’s prosperity. How can your area become a sought after destination for this age bracket?

Aging care is a big key to attracting and retaining retirees. According to Hoovers First Research, from 2015 to 2050, the global population over age 60 is expected to grow from 900 million to 2 billion! Does your community have the necessary support to care for an aging population? Here are a few opportunities we’ll see in the next several decades as demand for aging care grows:

Home Health Care Services
Seniors that require some assistance but do not need to be supervised may opt for home health care services that allow them to stay in the comfort of their home while receiving medical care.

Assisted-Living Communities
These facilities offer rehab, social, and other services to residents who do not require extensive medical care. With continued advancements in medicine, the elderly may choose to continue living a mostly independent lifestyle.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities
CCRCs consist of facilities that offer varying levels of care. A resident can continue to age within the complex, moving to a new area when the need arises. CCRCs offer independent living, assisted living, nursing homes, and perhaps, hospice.

Specialized Care
Alzheimer’s becomes more prevalent as people age, and it’s a disease that requires much supervision and resources. Facilities that offer secure units for Alzheimer’s patients will be in high demand.

Amenities
The elderly are still young at heart and enjoy the same luxuries they once had while living independently. We will see an increase in the amenities offered by aging care facilities such as spa services, cafes, fitness centers, and libraries.

Source: Hoovers First Research