01-22-08 1B Market Study - Laserfiche WebLink

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SENIOR HOUSING ANALYSIS Introduction This section examines senior demographic trends in an area defined as the primary draw area for senior housing in Arden Hills and assesses the current supply and market conditions for senior housing in the Market Area. Senior Housing Defined The term "senior housing" refers to any housing development that is restricted to people age 55+. Today, senior housing includes an entire spectrum of housing alternatives, which occasionally overlap, thus making the differences somewhat ambiguous. However, the level of support ser- vices offered best distinguishes them. Maxfield Research 1nc. classifies senior housing projects into five categories based on the level of support services offered: Adult/Few Services - where few, if any, support services are provided (includes owner and ren- ter products); Congregate/Optional-Services - where support services such as meals and light housekeeping are available for an additional fee; Congregate/Service-Intensive - where support services such as meals and light housekeeping are included in the monthly rents; Assisted Living - where two or three daily meals as well as basic support services such as trans- portation, housekeeping and/or linen changes are included in the fees. Personal care services such as assistance with bathing, grooming and dressing are included in the fees or are available either for an additional fee or included in the rents. Memory Care - where more rigorous and service-intensive personal care is required for people with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Typically, support services and meal plans are similar to those found at assisted living facilities, but the heightened levels of personalized care demand more staffing and higher rental fees. These five senior housing products tend to share several characteristics. First, they usually offer individual living apartments with living areas, bathrooms, and kitchens or kitchenettes. Second, they generally have an emergency response system with pull-cords or pendants to promote secu- rity. Third, they often have a community room and other common space to encourage socializa- tion. Finally, they are age-restricted and offer conveniences desired by seniors, although assisted living projects may serve non-elderly people with special health considerations. The five senior housing products offered today form a continuum of care (see chart on the fol- lowing page), from a low level to a fairly intensive one; often the service offerings at one type overlap with those at another. In general, however, adult/few services projects tend to attract younger, more independent seniors, while assisted living and memory care projects tend to draw older, frailer seniors. MAXFIELD RESEARCH INC. 61