Unique Niches in Long-Term Care Living
I recently read an article on unique living environments entitled “Finding the Perfect Niche” by Maureen Hrehocik. This article discusses the more recent popularity of niche housing for older adults needing long-term care.
One of the fastest growing senior housing niche markets are for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals (GLBT). A member of the new GLBT community points out that she feels “more at home with people who share her (my) values.” This is especially so for those abandoned or disowned by family due to their sexuality. With the rising popularity of these communities, individuals who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender now have somewhere to live and grow old with their peers.
Another area on the move is university-based retirement communities (UBRC). While living in Austin, the University of Texas was making plans to open one of these facilities on campus. Currently, there are about three dozen university based retirement communities (UBRC) open in the United States. Most of the UBRCs meet the following criteria:
- The community must be located within a mile of the main campus.
- At least 10% of residents are expected to have affiliation with the University, whether as alumni or retired faculty.
- The community should be a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) providing all types of care, whether it’s independent, assisted, Alzheimer’s and/or skilled nursing.
Various cultures have also created niches for themselves. For instance, one Asian American nursing facility in California has two stone lions marking their entrance. No where in this facility will you find the number “4″, which signifies death to some Asian Americans. Also, the color blue is absent from the decor, because it is considered “undesirable.” These facilities have gained popularity because some prefer to be among those that have similar beliefs or customs.
Some seniors choose more non-traditional methods of retirement living. Since the year 2000, Bea Muller has been living on the Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship. Her “assisted living” choice runs about $100,000 dollars per year. This cruise ship visits twenty-five countries per year. A study done
by the American Geriatric Society (2003) discovered that the average cruise ship only costs around $11 dollars more per month than an a assisted living facility.
These days it’s not uncommon for cruise ships to have a “Bea Muller” type staying long-term. A cruise line called Residen Sea, has introduced “The World,” a ship that allows retirees to buy high-end apartments. Since cruise lines already have nurses and physicians on staff, it makes sense why some consider this type of retirement living.
With the large number of Americans retiring, it’s no wonder the options continue to grow. There is no doubt that Baby Boomers will reinvent the previously generic term “retirement.”
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niche housing, older adults, long-term care, University of Texas, university based retirement communities, Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), American Geriatric Society, retirement living, Baby Boomers
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