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Retirement

2003-07-01 13:54:00

What is a 'retirement community?'

: My wife and I are retired. In our travels, we have visited several 'retirement communities' in Arizona and Florida. When we visit 'retirement communities' here in Kansas, they seem different than the others. What exactly is a "retirement unity?”

Bill Ward Question: My wife and I are retired. In our travels, we have visited several 'retirement communities' in Arizona and Florida. When we visit 'retirement communities' here in Kansas, they seem different than the others. What exactly is a "retirement unity?”Answer: You've rightly observed that in areas of the country where retirees, especially younger retirees tend to make their post-work home, a retirement community may look different than in Kansas. You'll be pleased to know that this is changing for the better in the Sunflower State. First, retirement community is a broad term that has come to mean "retirement housing." It is most often associated with a senior-oriented community providing apartments, duplexes, homes and other options for those who continue to live independently or with a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) which offers the full range of living options from independent through total care. About the only type of living accommodations the term doesn't apply to is those that only provide total care (most commonly known as skilled nursing care, health care or nursing home). As the available options continue to grow and change, the use of the term retirement community also continues to evolve.More and more, retirement housing providers are listening to what their future residents want. This is being driven largely by the first of the baby boomers reaching age 50. Since changes don't happen overnight, the industry as a whole is taking a serious look at what retirement living opportunities it will need to offer when this group is seeking independent retirement living and health care. In general, people over 50 account for 72% of RV trips, 70% of bus trips and 70% of cruise passengers. It is a lively group.Arizona and Florida draw retirees from all over the country for many reasons, including their progressive approach to retirement living. You've probably observed that many residents in these communities are "younger" and haven't slowed down much, if at all. The baby boomers anticipate a longer, more active life. For those who are looking forward to retirement, there are high expectations of the senior housing industry.At present, persons over 65 are 13.7% of Kansas' population. This is projected to grow to more than 19% by the year 2025. The average age of retirement community residents today is near 80. This is in part due to the independent spirit of the people of Kansas who wish to stay in their own homes as long as possible. It is also affected by the rural expanses where services are fewer and farther between. The group who sees the advantage of gaining more freedom by moving into a retirement community tend to be younger on average and make up a smaller part of the total population who have chosen retirement community living. You may have noticed, especially in and around larger cities such as Wichita and Kansas City, a greater array of housing choices. In most instances, they are developed with the realities of aging in mind to assure residents that as their physical needs change, there will be a place for them in the community. While the baby boomers think they won't have health problems (84%), the reality is that 25% of them will experience heart disease and 20% are likely to experience a chronic disability. However, the instances of chronic disabilities decreased significantly in the past 17 years from 25% to 20%. This is good news, and while a chronic disability may slow someone down, it doesn't mean the person will retire from life.If you are seeking a retirement community that offers you all the freedom you want with a hedge against what the future may bring, you're probably looking for a CCRC. They can be found in a variety of arrangements and prices. If you want to take tomorrow "as it comes," there are communities of apartments, duplexes or town homes for retirees, where you know everything is taken care of if you decide to pack up and go see the country for a month. People are living longer, healthier lives and it is a challenge to the retirement housing industry in Kansas to continue to grow and change to meet the demands of tomorrow's retirees. As you investigate retirement living options in our state, you'll find your choices are greater (some even rival the kinds of communities you see in Arizona and Florida), and that the future holds more growth for this type of community.