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Innovative ideas enter market for senior housing and care
Boulder County Business Report
OPINION
July 13, 2001
by Michael K. Schonbrun
Many of us are thinking about our parents and their ability to live independently. As our state "grays" and more of our parents move closer, medical, social and housing issues pertaining to seniors will become more prominent. Understanding what the market offers is important.
What's interesting is that adult children and their parents have widely ranging views on how often, if ever, they talk about their parents' housing, social and medical needs; what those needs might be; and what services and models of senior housing and care actually exist today.
Researchers recently found more than half of adult children believe their parents should be getting help with activities of daily living, but only a quarter of their parents agree. Eight of every 10 parents say it will be easy to talk with their kids about what they'd like for the future, but 70 percent haven't. On the other hand, more than one-half of adult children want to offer their parents information on aging services or housing, but only one-third have done so.
Maybe it's a fear of what many of us perceive as the only option for the elderly — nursing homes — that chills the conversation. Whatever the reason, these gaps in intergenerational communication lead to decisions being made in a pinch, when issues are highly charged and time to research options is limited.
The good news is that the marketplace — here in Boulder County in particular — has responded with new and innovative models for senior housing, social services and medical care that meet the needs of elders.
These new models are consumer-driven. That's a plus for families and friends who want options that offer a sense of belonging and control, personal space and privacy, while still providing for safety and security. Today's senior housing communities are fashioned for healthier, more educated seniors looking for access to dynamic urban centers and activities, and innovative wellness, learning and spiritual opportunities.
One look around Boulder County shows plenty of activity on the senior living front, and many educational opportunities for families to learn about the diverse and exciting options beyond the traditional nursing home, including:
- Adult day care centers involves seniors traveling from home to a location where they meet with peers for activities during the day while receiving some basic medical and social support services.
- Home care provides for seniors who wish to remain home and receive in-house visits for supplies, therapy or medication management. Typically, this is a medical not a social intervention.
- Independent living communities are for seniors who are able and willing to do as they please. The big draws here are leaving behind the stresses of maintaining a home, living among peers, where the emphasis is on social activity and a quality dining experience.
- Assisted living has grown rapidly over the last decade to include about 800,000 Americans. It offers private apartments for residents with staff for some assistance and medical care. Effort is directed at engaging seniors in various activities. Dining is also an important part of this experience.
- Continuing care retirement communities blends assisted living, independent living, skilled nursing and other health care options together on one campus. More than 600,0000 Americans live in such communities.
More good news — there are many resources to check out what's available to help plan for any number of scenarios. Locally, Boulder County Aging Services Division (303-441-3570) and the Colorado Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (303-837-8834) are two good resources for understanding the broad picture of housing and medical services available. Nationally, the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, a non-profit organization, lists its members across the country on its Web site (www.caremanager.org).
These resources can help explore the options, but most importantly, they offer adult children and their aging parents a beginning point for conversation. And that's the key — open discussion and planning. In business, if we don't know where we want to go, we will never get to a satisfactory place. The same is true when planning for our parents.
Michael K. Schonbrun is founder and CEO of Balfour Senior Care in Louisville and VP of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.