A Study of Senior Housing Preferences

By Cory Daughton, The Ohio State University

Senior Housing PreferencesProblem Statement

By 2026, the population of Americans over 65 will have doubled to 71.5 million.

89% of seniors choose to “Stay at Home” as long as possible. How many will be able to do this safely?

We lack the housing resources to meet the rising need of this “Aging Crisis”

Senior Housing PreferencesResearch Question

At some point it could be unsafe or problematic for many older adults to stay at home—what housing options do seniors prefer if they are no longer able to remain at home?

Senior Housing PreferencesMethodology for Pilot StudyResearch on alternative housing

preferences is limited. What are seniors second choices?

Visited Edgewood Senior Center, Edgewood MD on November 29th and surveyed 10 seniors

Senior Housing Preferences: MethodologyAnonymous Survey included

Basic demographicsCurrent living situationLifestyle questionsPreference toward age segregationFactors most-or-least important if a housing

change was needed

Senior Housing Preferences: Methodology

Opinions and preferences toward 6 housing optionsStaying At Home/Aging in PlaceLiving Near or With FamilyCondo or Retirement CommunityContinuing Care CommunityTraditional Nursing HomeShared Living

Senior Housing Preferences: ResultsBasic Participant Statistics: 10 participants

interviewed2 Males, 8 FemalesAges ranged from 64-81Average age was 7370% still drive regularly

Senior Housing Preferences: Results

Senior Housing Preferences: Results

Senior Housing Preferences: Results

Senior Housing Preferences: ResultsOther key findings

If physical health changes 4 of 9 plan to move

If physical health changes 5 of 9 plan to make changes at home

4 out of 5 prefer to live with their own age (not all responded)

Senior Housing Preferences: Results

Least important factors to consider when changing housingPoolLibraryNot having to do yard work

Most important factors to consider when changing housingRetaining independenceStaying homeAccess to medical careGardening

Senior Housing Preferences: ResultsWhen given a choice between a newly

designed continuing care facility and shared housing, 5 out of 6 responders chose the newly designed continuing care facility

Senior Housing Preferences: Limitations

Survey could be improved by making it shorter and making layout clearer

Participants preferred to verbally share feelings verses writing down feelings

Open-ended questions less successfulOne-on-one interview style more successfulMultiple choice/limited option questions

preferredParticipants were familiar with most of the

housing options. Descriptions should be simplified to no more than three basic statements about each

Senior Housing Preferences: ImplicationsIt is clear that remaining at home is the most

preferred living option, but the need for quality medical care was a concern for participants

This research highlights the fact that nearly half of the participants do not expect to remain at home their entire life and nearly all are strongly opposed to traditional nursing homes

This research helps point to what options are most preferred and how future resources could be allocated

Senior Housing Preferences: ImplicationsBased on my findings, I believe there is

interest in Continuing Care Facilities that offer essential amenities but are more affordable than the spa-inspired facilities.