A recent United States Census report says that at least 40 percent of Americans 65 or older have at least one disability, but only 9 percent of individuals in this category reside in assisted living or group housing.
“Point is, by 2030, about 20 percent of the U.S. population is projected to be aged 65 or older, which is up from 12 percent in the year 2000. If the 9 percent ratio of disabled seniors living in assisted living or group housing holds up, we’re looking at steadily climbing numbers that will be substantially higher 15 years from now,” Cambridge Realty Capital Companies Chairman Jeffrey A. Davis says.
A PulsePoints blog post on the Cambridge corporate website, www.cambridgecap.com, claims this alteration of the American landscape will no doubt have a major impact on assisted living communities, as well as on other businesses catering to seniors.
An increase in the disabled senior population will create greater demand for assisted living housing and physical accommodations for disabilities, such as ramps and motorized stair lifts. The Census study reports that the most common disability, walking or stair climbing, affects about two-thirds of seniors in this group, Mr. Davis said.
The Census study reports that difficulty with living independently was reported by almost half of seniors in this group, which is still another indication that there is growing demand for environments that can assist seniors with their daily activities and help them become more mobile.
The Cambridge Chairman cites a California study that showed approximately 66 percent of Americans aged 40 and older believe they will need care as they age. But a majority of this population has done little to no planning for their potential assisted living and elder care requirements, this study revealed.
