Trend: Age-Segregated “Senior Living” Will Increasingly Be Retired in Favor of New Intergenerational Models

Baby Boomers and Gen X refuse to be defined by age and socially segregated by it–so a wave of communities that intentionally mix up age groups are rising globally–whether new co-housing, university-based, “pocket neighborhood,” or urban wellness models

For years, it’s been said that 60 was the new 40. But now, according to aging experts, 90 will soon be the new 40. The exponential jump in longevity means that people are retiring later and focusing on being active and engaged with personal growth into old age. Healthier and more youthful than their cohorts in previous generations, this incoming senior class doesn’t “feel old” and refuses to be defined by age or socially segregated by it.

That’s why today’s age-segregated models of senior living are simply no longer cutting it with a new generation that doesn’t believe in the concept of being put out to pasture upon retirement…with a bunch of other old people. When a market causes such fear and loathing, there is an incredible opportunity for reinvention–and the future demand for more creative and healthier senior living options will be intense. The 60+ global population is expected to double by 2050. In the United States, where age-segregated senior communities are most entrenched, all Boomers will be at least age 65 by 2030.

Our 2022 trend, “Senior Living Disrupted”, argues that senior living will rapidly give way to communities focused on intentional intergenerationality. Multigenerational living was how people always lived until recently and such old-school intersectionality still exists in the world’s Blue Zones—places like Okinawa, Japan and Sardinia, Italy—which also happen to be among the places where people live the longest and age the healthiest. Multigenerational living is wellness.

The trend examines new global communities that work to mix ages up, build social connection and reduce loneliness, resulting in better wellbeing for residents both young and old. We look at the development of multigen pocket neighborhoods; innovative, mutually beneficial intergenerational co-living models; university-based retirement communities—and more. Read on for some cool, new examples and angles…

The Trend in the News

Don’t Mind the Gap in Intergenerational Housing
– The New York Times

An excellent overview of global senior living developments now making a point of mixing age groups, because who wants to enter the golden years surrounded by only old people? It looks at everything from the rise of the “university-based retirement community”—senior apartments that immerse residents in college campus learning and life—to Singapore’s government-developed Kampung Admiralty, whose goal is to make a housing complex for older people into a thriving intergenerational hub for the whole neighborhood.

As Baby Boomers Retire, Developers Bet Urban Senior Living Will Take Off–The Wall Street Journal

There’s a surge in development of luxury senior-living communities in dense urban settings, because Boomers are shunning traditional suburban retirement communities and demanding to live where there’s lots of connection to culture and family (and more diversity in age, race, and culture). This new plethora of projects (from developers such as Related Companies., Watermark, and the Inspīr brand) typically have a strong traditional wellness component, many with rooftop pools and spa-style wellness centers. With urban pandemic vacancies, many are converting unused office buildings and hotels.

‘Magic’ Multigenerational Housing Aims to Alleviate Social Isolation–The Wall Street Journal

Co-living communities breaking ground in the US in 2022 seek to address the crises of loneliness, and a dearth of caregivers and affordable housing. More experts think we need some MAGIC: multi-ability, multigenerational, inclusive co-living–communities where young and old, families and singles, live side by side, supported by inclusive design and technology. Magic is the invention of Dr. William Thomas, who has co-founded Kallimos Communities based on Magic principles. Kallimos employs staff called “weavers,” who introduce residents to each other and plan communal meals/activities and “keepers,” staff who help residents with transportation, cleaning and cooking. Magic communities are also aimed at younger people looking for less expensive housing.

Startups at CES Showed that Elder Tech Can Help Everyone–TechCrunch

Technology is allowing people to deal with a wider range of healthcare issues within the home, enabling adults to remain independent or stay with their family into older age. The 2022 Consumer Electronics Show revealed just how fast elder-tech is growing. Labrador Systems Retriever unveiled a voice-assisted robotic cart with a retractable tray system, shelves and refrigerator that can help people with limited mobility by delivering laundry, meals, etc. Sengled’s smart light bulb takes health readings, including heart rate, temperature and sleep tracking. IoT (Internet of Things) wearables/sensors collect important real-time data, such as Nodeus Solutions’ KoKoon’s wireless sensors that can monitor older people’s behavior, anticipate risks and keep caregivers updated. .