Two things are evolving at the same time for many: our homes and our health. As many of the Baby Boomers continue to age, we must consider what this will mean for how this generation will continue to live in the days to come. For many, this will mean aging in place—and for homebuilders this means taking technologies into consideration when building or remodeling these homes. Let’s take a closer look at the trends on the horizon.
At the very end of November, the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University released its 2023 report focused on housing America’s older adults. Looking at the numbers, I believe the results confirm and tell us a lot about a new generation of aging Americans and those seeking to perhaps live more comfortably in place. The U.S. population of older adults, defined as those at least 65 years old, is increasing at historic rates, up 34% from 43 million in 2012 to 58 million in 2022. This growth reaches all regions too: urban, suburban, and rural communities.
As a result, we are seeing greater demand for housing that is both affordable and able to accommodate older adults’ changing needs. There will also be greater demand for connected services and support as we move toward this future. This is where technology often enters the conversation.
A U.S. News and World Report from earlier this year dug into this trend and found that among 2,000 U.S. adults aged 55 and older, aging in place is an important goal for them. The survey also took an in-depth look at some of the biggest trends related to using assistive and health-related technologies.
For those who are already using technologies, two of the most common are medical or health-related mobile apps (25%) and wearable medical or health-related trackers (17%). Service-related apps like grocery and food delivery are also very popular.
The thing that matters most is that:
- It’s easy to use (75%),
- Easy to set up (50%),
- Accessible using a mobile app (38%),
- Wireless (37%).
Of those who use technology, many feel it makes them more independent (55%), safer (44%), healthier (33%), and offers greater mobility (20%).
Of those surveyed who say they don’t use assistive or health-related technologies, the overwhelming majority simply don’t feel that they need them yet. Some share that they can’t afford the technologies, and others reject the technologies because they don’t want to lose their independence. Another area of concern for aging Americans is centered around privacy. More than half of all respondents (53%) have privacy concerns over an increased dependence on assistive or health-related technologies.
Looking to the future, within the decade, the first baby boomers will turn age 80, accelerating the rate of growth among those in the oldest age groups, as the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University study suggests. We must prepare now if we want to address the evolving trends in the market, because the reality is we are all going to be leaning on assistive technologies more in the future than we are today.
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