CLIENT LOG IN

Margo Borkin

Persistent Perserverance, Consistent Results

248-419-3160
Cell: 248-318-4776
Fax: 248-419-0930
margo@movewithmargo.com
  • Menu
  • Home
  • About
    • About Margo Borkin
    • Client Reviews
    • Margo Vs The Market
    • Professional Resume
  • Communities
    • Berkley
    • Beverly Hills
    • Bingham Farms
    • Birmingham
    • Bloomfield Hills
    • Bloomfield Township
    • Commerce Township
    • Farmigton
    • Farmington Hills
    • Ferndale
    • Franklin
    • Huntington Woods
    • Keego Harbor
    • Novi
    • Oak Park
    • Orchard Lake
    • Royal Oak
    • Southfield
    • Sylvan Lake
    • Walled Lake
    • Waterford
    • West Bloomfield
    • White Lake
    • Wixom
    • Wolverine Lake
  • Property Search
    • Address Search
    • Basic Search
    • Advanced Search
    • Map Search
  • Home Buyers
  • Home Sellers
  • Blog
  • Contact

The Many Benefits of Aging in a Community

The Many Benefits of Aging in a Community | Simplifying The Market

There’s comfort in being around people who share common interests, goals, and challenges. That comfort in a community doesn’t wane with age – it actually deepens. Whether it’s proudly talking about grandchildren or lamenting the fact that our eyes aren’t as good as they used to be, it helps to be around people who not only understand what we’re saying but actually feel the same joys and concerns as well.

That’s why many boomers are deciding to move into an active adult community. In the latest 55places National Housing Survey, they were described by one out of three seniors as an “outgoing, social community of likeminded people.”

Bill Ness, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of 55places.com, explains:

“Baby boomers are now reaching the age when moving to an active adult community is the ideal opportunity for them…Many boomers now want to downsize, experience a maintenance-free lifestyle, and pursue more social opportunities. It’s exciting that there are so many choices for baby boomers.”

There’s still a desire, however, among many seniors to “age-in-place.” According to the Senior Resource Guide, aging-in-place means:

“…that you will be remaining in your own home for the later years of your life; not moving into a smaller home, assisted living, or a retirement community etcetera.”

The challenge is, many seniors live in suburban or rural areas, and that often necessitates driving significant distances to see friends or attend other social engagements. A recent report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS) titled Housing America’s Older Adults addressed this exact concern:

“The growing concentration of older households in outlying communities presents major challenges for residents and service providers alike. Single-family homes make up most of the housing stock in low-density areas, and residents typically need to be able to drive to do errands, see doctors, and socialize.”

The Kiplinger report also chimed in on this subject:

“While most seniors say they want to age in place, a much smaller percentage of them actually manage to accomplish it, studies show. Transportation is often a problem; when you can no longer drive, you can’t get to medical appointments or to other outings.”

Driving may not be a challenge right now, but think about what it may be like to drive 10, 20, or 30 years down the road.

There are also health challenges brought on by a possible lack of socialization when living at home versus a community of seniors. Sarah J. Stevenson is an author who writes about seniors. In a recent blog post for A Place for Mom, she explains:

“Social contacts tend to decrease as we age for reasons such as retirement, the death of friends and family, or lack of mobility.”

Thankfully, research from the same article suggests if you’re spending time with others in a community, thus reducing the impact of loneliness and isolation, there’s less of a risk of developing high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, a weakened immune system, depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and early death.

Though the familiarity of our current home may bring a feeling of warmth, comfort, and convenience, it’s important to understand that staying there may mean missing out on crucial socialization opportunities. Living with adult children, joining a retirement community, or moving to an assisted living facility can help us continue to be with people we enjoy every day.

Bottom Line

“Aging-in-place” definitely has its advantages, but it could mean getting “stuck-in-place” too. There are many health benefits derived from socialization with a community of people that shares common interests. It’s important to take the need for human interaction into consideration when making a decision about where to spend the later years in life.


Source: KMC

Posted in: Baby Boomers, Demographics, For Sellers, Senior Market Tagged: Real Estate

© Margo Borkin Real Estate 2010

Post navigation

« How Trusted Professionals Make Homebuying Easier to Understand
The #1 Misconception in the Homebuying Process »

Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
Margo Borkin Real Estate
3 weeks ago
Margo Borkin Real Estate

8740 Wise Rd Commerce Twp.
4 Bedrooms
2 Baths
1682 SqFt
.61 Acres
Stop by and see for yourself!
... See MoreSee Less

Message Page

8740 Wise Rd Commerce Twp.
4 Bedrooms
2 Baths
1682 SqFt
.61 Acres
Stop by and see for yourself!
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Margo Borkin Real Estate
1 month ago
Margo Borkin Real Estate

Join me this Sunday from 2-4pm at 6135 Anne in West Bloomfield for an open house tour! ... See MoreSee Less

Message Page

Join me this Sunday from 2-4pm at 6135 Anne in West Bloomfield for an open house tour!
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 9
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Margo Borkin Real Estate
2 months ago
Margo Borkin Real Estate

... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 1
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Margo Borkin Real Estate
2 months ago
Margo Borkin Real Estate

... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Margo Borkin Real Estate
3 months ago
Margo Borkin Real Estate

Ahhh, spring is here, and with it longer days, warmer temps, and a return to outdoor living. Yesss! Spring also means it’s also time to give that home sweet home a serious once over. To help, here’s an April home maintenance checklist to get you started:⁣
⁣
Declutter, declutter, declutter. Yep, I’m beating that drum…again. You didn't think I’d have a home maintenance checklist without decluttering as numero uno, did you?⁣

Replace air filters and schedule a maintenance check of your cooling system to ensure it’s ready for the steamy months ahead.⁣

Wash windows and doors, and don’t forget your porches. Clean out corner cobwebs and spruce up your front porch or stoop with a colorful wreath, a cutesy welcome mat, and stately planters.⁣

Clean and organize your garage; while you're at it, go on and rinse out your trash cans and recycling bins.⁣

Rent or borrow a pressure washer to give your siding, sidewalk, and driveway a fresh look. Check for widening cracks and chipped paint as you go, making a note to come back and address them later.⁣

Clean and repair your gutters and downspouts to ensure they’re in prime condition for spring downpours.⁣

Test your sprinkler or irrigation system and give that lawnmower a good ole crank. (Trust me, your grass will thank you later!)⁣

Clear brush and fallen limbs away from the house and clean out your beds to make room for spring color.⁣
⁣
Join me in rolling out the welcome mat for the easy, breezy season ahead!⁣
... See MoreSee Less

Ahhh, spring is here, and with it longer days, warmer temps, and a return to outdoor living. Yesss! Spring also means it’s also time to give that home sweet home a serious once over. To help, here’s an April home maintenance checklist to get you started:⁣
⁣
Declutter, declutter, declutter. Yep, I’m beating that drum…again. You didnt think I’d have a home maintenance checklist without decluttering as numero uno, did you?⁣

Replace air filters and schedule a maintenance check of your cooling system to ensure it’s ready for the steamy months ahead.⁣

Wash windows and doors, and don’t forget your porches. Clean out corner cobwebs and spruce up your front porch or stoop with a colorful wreath, a cutesy welcome mat, and stately planters.⁣

Clean and organize your garage; while youre at it, go on and rinse out your trash cans and recycling bins.⁣

Rent or borrow a pressure washer to give your siding, sidewalk, and driveway a fresh look. Check for widening cracks and chipped paint as you go, making a note to come back and address them later.⁣

Clean and repair your gutters and downspouts to ensure they’re in prime condition for spring downpours.⁣

Test your sprinkler or irrigation system and give that lawnmower a good ole crank. (Trust me, your grass will thank you later!)⁣

Clear brush and fallen limbs away from the house and clean out your beds to make room for spring color.⁣
⁣
Join me in rolling out the welcome mat for the easy, breezy season ahead!⁣
View on Facebook
· Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
View Comments
  • Likes: 0
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Load more

Blog by Category

  • Baby Boomers (25)
  • Buying Myths (108)
  • Demographics (38)
  • Distressed Properties (15)
  • Down Payments (58)
  • First Time Home Buyers (574)
  • For Agents (1)
  • For Buyers (838)
  • For Sellers (672)
  • Foreclosures (17)
  • FSBOs (30)
  • Gen Z (6)
  • Generation X (16)
  • Holidays (3)
  • Home Decor (1)
  • Home Maintenance (2)
  • Housing Market Updates (448)
  • Infographics (183)
  • Interest Rates (145)
  • Investment (1)
  • Local Market Updates (3)
  • Luxury Market (13)
  • Millennials (75)
  • Move-Up Buyers (629)
  • New Construction (30)
  • Pricing (207)
  • Rent vs. Buy (96)
  • Selling Myths (50)
  • Senior Market (15)
  • Short Sales (1)
  • Time-sensitive (6)
  • Uncategorized (14)
  • Weekend Wanderings (1)

Recent Posts

  • Ready to Buy in 2022?
  • What you can expect from me as a buyer
  • Is your home ready to sell? Answer these quick questions to find out!
  • What do I offer for free? Glad you asked!
  • Preparing Your Home for Winter