Aging Well: Housing Models

Family home to long term care home. We talk about this leap as if it’s a dreaded inevitable. But it doesn’t have to be, there ARE other options, we just don’t seem to talk about them.

I just finished another deep dive paper - central to aging well is the concept of home, which plays a critical role for autonomy, wellbeing, and social connection. Yet housing choice for aging populations has been minimal, particularly in non-metro communities, resulting in residential inertia, or the common but often imposed transition from family home to institutional long-term care home.

Here are 10 models that expand housing choice for aging populations, the fastest growing demographic:

Age Integrated / Aging in Community Models

1. 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲: ensure it's the right place, with potential modifications and design flexibility

2. 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀 (𝗔𝗗𝗨𝘀): granny flats, tiny homes, in-law suites; infill densification; ‘privacy with proximity’

3. 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲-𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲: communal co-living, multi-gen, inter-gen, or age restricted roommates

4. 𝗖𝗼𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴: intentionally designed for 4-30 clustered households; collaborative, socially supportive; new build, infill or retrofit

5. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀: age-friendly by design

6. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀

a. 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗢𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 (𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗖s): unintentional concentration of older adults in a vertical or horizontal geography; age in place with extra community building, social engagement, or service support; active participation

b. 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹: age in place with membership fees funding program and service coordination

Age Segregated / Restricted Models

7. 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: purposefully designed; single buildings to full complexes; wide range of services, supports, and amenities

8. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴: family style with private bedroom/bath and communal spaces; house coordinator and meals provided; foster support and friendship but no formal care

9. 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘂𝗺: purpose built complexes that provide a range of housing types and care options

10. 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀: 24/7 relational care; 2-6 people; flexible and empowered participation

I encourage municipal leaders, planners, developers, non-profits, and citizens to evaluate what exists in your community, and consider how you might enable, encourage, create, or advocate for more options. I have academic references and practical examples if you want to chat further.

We are all part of the aging club, so let’s plan for our future selves.