Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers and University-Affiliated Retirement Communities

By: Colleen O’Malley

        As I have begun researching more of my thesis topic, I have been able to narrow down my topic of interest and focus in a more particular topic. To do this, I started looking at why we should care about these baby boomers. Several factors that make the influx of boomers into their senior years significant for architects and designers are:

-                      There are SO many aging boomers. If more than 65 million boomers in the United States will be moving through their sixties and above over the next couple of decades, and even 1 in 10 decides to move, that leaves 650,000 boomers prospects alone!

-                       As boomers begin to age, they are not going to settle for the same housing style that previous generations had. They will be pushing for more innovative designs, more flexibility to adapt to their individual lifestyles, and more technology-friendly homes. They will create change for themselves and for all Americans, as they have done throughout their lives.

-                      The opportunity has never been greater to be a part of an exciting, vibrant housing innovation boom.

Baby boomers are the most powerful demographic group our country has ever seen and comprise nearly one quarter of the total U.S. population. With about 10,000 boomers turning 60 every day, this provides an excellent opportunity for architects, designers, builders, and suppliers who wish to serve this new generation.        Looking at the past, it is clear that baby boomers will change housing for the future generations. However, nobody knows how it will change.

       Even though the future cannot be predicted in what will happen with housing for baby boomers, I believe that university affiliated retirement communities is an accurate solution.  Retirement communities of which are affiliated with a nearby college or university are ripe for development for boomers, who pride themselves on being lifelong learners, staying young, keeping active, and getting involved in athletic and cultural activities. What better place is there to mix all of these characteristics than I a university atmosphere? Some case studies that have already begun this type of retirement are developers near Notre Dame University, the University of Flordia, Cornell, Purdue University, Penn State, Stanford University, the University of Arizona, Lasell College, and Nova Southeastern University.

        However, with the surge of learning-hungry boomers, the numbers of these developments will be increasing, repositioning, and morphing to meet their needs. It is predicted that the current existing there dozen or so communities in the 20 years will grow of upward of 400, or 10 percent of the 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States. The main reason for the increase is that the arrangement benefits both the retirees and the universities. The benefits for 55+ Residents include, continuing education, available teaching or assistant positions, volunteering opportunities, cultural events, fitness centers, walking environment, library access, sporting events, diversity of people and ideas, etc. Some benefits for the university or college include, fees paid for continuing education classes, source of talent and experience to serve as teachers or assistants, fee or low-cost assistance by residents, audience for special events, source of income for use of shared facilities, stable population on campus in off-season, experiences brought by the +55 residents. 

        Although education as a part of retirement may not be for everyone, a 2006 National Association of Realtors survey of nearly 2,000 boomers found that 40 percent of boomers had a degree form a college or university. Of the remaining 60 percent, over 56 percent had graduated high school and 17 percent of those had some college experience.