WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA) has released a new report detailing the senior living priorities of the baby boomer generation, members of which will largely be the industry’s residents for the next 25 years.
“In the years to come, many of the nation’s 76 million baby boomers will transition into seniors housing,” says David Schless, ASHA president and CEO. “It’s imperative that industry leaders understand the baby boomers’ expectations so they can meet their needs and position themselves for success.”
The report — “Boomers and the Future of Senior Living” — is based on surveys of more than 7,000 people, of which roughly 80 percent were baby boomers, conducted between December 2021 and March 2022.
The report includes information on participants’ demographics, family and household characteristics, current living accommodations, and location preferences. Among the topline findings:
- Nearly 60 percent of respondents were considering a move, including to a retirement community, within the next four years.
- Respondents ranked full kitchen, laundry room with washer/dryer, living room, windows with natural light, and additional storage as their top five in-unit amenities.
- Up to 83 percent of respondents rated exterior home maintenance, lawn and landscaping, 24-hour security, and maintenance of appliances in residence as essential or desirable.
- At least half of those likely to or unsure if they would move to a senior living community rated walking trails, on-site storage, indoor fitness centers, activity rooms, convenience stores, family-friendly lounges and ATMs as essential or desirable.
“These data points provide insight into how baby boomers will transform the seniors housing industry,” says Kristen Paris, vice president of market research at ProMatura Group and lead researcher of the report. “Seniors housing leaders need to begin planning now to prepare for the millions of baby boomers who will soon call their properties home.”