Senior-friendly housing is in high demand right now in Canada and as the Baby Boomer generation ages the need is rising. Experts are saying that more housing options will be needed for the future and in a CTV Edmonton Newscast, Josh Crabb reports that seniors presently make up about 15% of the population. The CMHC, in their “2011 Canadian Housing Observer”, reports that by 2036 the percentage of seniors will have risen to approximately 24% of the population. They also note that condos are a popular option in housing but as seniors consider selling their family homes and relocating to a condo, they are carefully assessing pros and cons and whether the benefits of condo living are worth the trade-off from their larger family homes.
Seniors weigh pros and cons of Condo Living
Condo living is attractive to seniors and one such 34-apartment Independent Living complex is under construction in Brandon Manitoba. Brandon resident, Harvey Douglas says that he and his wife don’t want to wait until age 75 to sell their home but would rather relocate while they are still healthy. They comment that the move won’t be easy but the upkeep on an aging dwelling was also a consideration.
Explore retirement homes in Manitoba
The CMHC report says that condominium projects accounted for one third of housing start-ups in Canadian cities in 2010 and that’s up from 29 percent in 2009. They predict that the demand for smaller homes will continue to grow as the population ages.
Smaller Communities perfect for Seniors’ Centres
In the report by CMHC, based on housing trends across the country, they point out that as the population ages, our needs will change. Disabilities and medical conditions will become realities that need to be accommodated within the household and the community.
Urban planners will need to respond to seniors’ needs with the goal of enhancing their quality of life in the community. Both large and smaller urban centers hold unique appeal, for example, seniors presently make up 16% of the population of towns across the country and this number is expected to rise as smaller urban centers become more senior friendly. Support services like health facilities, shopping, and social amenities are more convenient and accessible in smaller towns.
On the other side of the coin, larger cities with lower costs of construction mean condos and retirement centres are more affordable. In larger cities there is a wider range of social activities, community organizations and seniors groups to choose from.
Renovations are making Homes More Accessible
The CMHC also projects that there will likely be a lot of activity in the home renovations market. Seniors tend to remain in their family homes for as long as possible and are renovating to make their living space more accessible.
Ramps and elevators are being added, doors are adjusted to fit wheelchairs and bathrooms are upgraded with grab bars and user-friendly bathtubs and showers. Extensions are being added to homes with suites to accommodate seniors living with their adult children.
The bottom line is that there is an increasing need in the areas of housing and urban planning to accommodate the needs of the growing senior population across Canada.
By Alice Lucette
Image by jmatzick on Stock.xchng
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