Retirement community
Encyclopedia
A retirement community, or active adult community, is a very broad, generic term that covers many varieties of housing for retirees and seniors - especially designed or geared for people who no longer work, or restricted to those over a certain age . It differs from a retirement home
which is a single building or small complex where no "common areas" for socializing exist. Many retirement communities are planned for that purpose, and have special facilities catering to the needs and wants of retirees, including extensive amenities like clubhouses
, swimming pools, arts and crafts, boating, trails, golf course
s, active adult retail
and on-site medical facilities. Other facilities have no or very few common amenities. An Age-restricted community
generally requires at least one household resident to be 55 plus years of age or older (occasionally 50+ or 60+ years of age).
Retirement communities are often built in warm climates, and are common in Arizona
, California
, Florida
and Texas
but are increasingly being built in and around major cities throughout the United States
. Youngtown, Arizona
, established in 1954, was the first age-restricted community. Del Webb
opened Sun City, Arizona
, with the active adult concept, in 1960. In 2011, The Villages, Florida
is the largest of these communities.
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities
(NORCs) can involve low-income residents receiving a richer mix of public services through a NORC model. They might serve people of all income levels who got together to furnish cost-effective transportation services. And there are NORCs for relatively affluent households that may charge $1,000 or even more in annual dues, and support paid and volunteer staffers who provide a rich variety of support services and cultural enrichment activities. NORCs can be very effective mechanisms to identify populations of people who need government-provided services and then provide those services in cost-effective ways. An example would be Beacon Hill Village in Boston provide support and resources for those who do not want to leave their current neighborhoods. Another term may be used for a predominantly senior citizen
community, in which residence is unrestricted by age and job affiliation.
One categorization of retirement communities:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/facilities/long_term_care/retirement_communities/continuing_care is "Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and fee-for-service continuing care retirement communities (FFSCCRCs) are residential alternatives for adults that offer, under one contract, an independent living unit (an apartment or cottage), residential amenities and access to a continuum of long term care services, as residents' health and social needs change over time." The accrediting agency CCRC/CARF http://www.carf.org/aging uses the term CCRC with the same meaning. So do texts that include Senior Living Communities: Operations Management and Marketing for Assisted Living, Congregate, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities by Benjamin W. Pearce. (For a perspective on this paragraph in relation to the overall article see Discussion.)
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business. States seek to encourage retirement in their states; keeping existing residents and encouraging out of state residents to move to a new state. Bill Haas of the University of North Carolina's Institute for the Future of Retirement estimates that the economic impact of a retiree household moving to a state is the equivalent of 1.4 factory jobs.
The six states that have publicized their certification programs are:
associated with IT Industry, the traditional family system in which elders would be cared for by their children has been collapsing in recent years. This has necessitated the development of retirement homes and communities in India. Ashiana Housing Ltd. and Serene Retirement Communities by Covai Property Centre (I) Pvt Ltd. are foremost names in retirement communities in India.
Once recent trend to emerge in the Indian retirement industry is the "retirement resort": a long-term rental unit within a resort-like community, with many of the amenities of a traditional vacation resort
. This trend is just starting, and there is no evidence that it will take hold. Although no official statistics exist, HelpAge India, an organization servicing the senior community in India, estimates that of the 80 million senior citizens in India, perhaps only 1 million would accept the notion of a retirement resort, and of that number, perhaps only 50% (500,000) are even aware of the idea.
Villamartin Hills is a totally new concept in Retirement Accommodation and Retirement Living for the Over 55's. The complex consists of 68 luxury apartments arranged on two levels. The apartments are set in beautifully landscaped gardens and a gardener will ensure that they remain that way. There are a wealth of other facilities on site as well, such as a covered, climate controlled swimming pool, a Wellness Centre, a library and a cinema.
prevalent. According to a recent BBC report (Aug 2009) there are
approximately 25,000 people across the UK now living within a retirement
village model.
Models do vary - from local authority funded and charitable schemes such as
Hartrigg Oaks in York led by the Joseph Rowntree Trust through to
privately-funded projects such as Roseland Parc in Cornwall by Retirement Villages Ltd
,, Fleet house retirement village in Devon, and Boughton Hall in Chester.
Retirement Villages Ltd opened their first scheme in the UK over 25 years
ago so the model is not so new to the UK as people think. There is
now an umbrella organisation called the Association of Retirement Village
Operators UK (ARVOUK) working to collaborate thinking and best practice in
this popular retirement homes market.
Retirement home
A retirement home is a multi-residence housing facility intended for senior citizens. Typically each person or couple in the home has an apartment-style room or suite of rooms. Additional facilities are provided within the building, including facilities for meals, gathering, recreation, and some...
which is a single building or small complex where no "common areas" for socializing exist. Many retirement communities are planned for that purpose, and have special facilities catering to the needs and wants of retirees, including extensive amenities like clubhouses
Community centre
Community centres or community centers or jumping recreation centers are public locations where members of a community tend to gather for group activities, social support, public information, and other purposes. They may sometimes be open for the whole community or for a specialised group within...
, swimming pools, arts and crafts, boating, trails, golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
s, active adult retail
Active adult retail
Active adult retail is a specific category of age-targeted specialty shops and professional services strategically catering to the daily needs of active adults....
and on-site medical facilities. Other facilities have no or very few common amenities. An Age-restricted community
Age-restricted community
An age-restricted community or age-segregated community is a housing area, often gated, that restricts ownership to individuals who are over a set age. Often the minimum age is 50 years, but it could be 55 or even 60....
generally requires at least one household resident to be 55 plus years of age or older (occasionally 50+ or 60+ years of age).
Retirement communities are often built in warm climates, and are common in Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
but are increasingly being built in and around major cities throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Youngtown, Arizona
Youngtown, Arizona
Youngtown is a town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to 2008 Census Bureau and Arizona Department of Commerce estimates, the population of the town is 6,522.Youngtown is the nation's oldest retirement community...
, established in 1954, was the first age-restricted community. Del Webb
Del Webb
Delbert Eugene Webb was an American construction magnate, real estate developer and sports-team owner, who is most significant for founding and developing the retirement community of Sun City, Arizona.-Early life:...
opened Sun City, Arizona
Sun City, Arizona
Sun City is a census-designated place and unincorporated town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The population was 38,309 at the 2000 census...
, with the active adult concept, in 1960. In 2011, The Villages, Florida
The Villages, Florida
The Villages is a master-planned age-restricted retirement community located mainly in Sumter County, Florida, United States, but also includes portions of Lake and Marion counties. The community is controlled by several Community Development Districts , most of which are controlled by H. Gary...
is the largest of these communities.
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities
Naturally occurring retirement community
A Naturally occurring retirement community—or a NORC —is a community that was not originally designed for seniors, but that has a large proportion of residents who are older adults...
(NORCs) can involve low-income residents receiving a richer mix of public services through a NORC model. They might serve people of all income levels who got together to furnish cost-effective transportation services. And there are NORCs for relatively affluent households that may charge $1,000 or even more in annual dues, and support paid and volunteer staffers who provide a rich variety of support services and cultural enrichment activities. NORCs can be very effective mechanisms to identify populations of people who need government-provided services and then provide those services in cost-effective ways. An example would be Beacon Hill Village in Boston provide support and resources for those who do not want to leave their current neighborhoods. Another term may be used for a predominantly senior citizen
Senior citizen
Senior citizen is a common polite designation for an elderly person in both UK and US English, and it implies or means that the person is retired. This in turn implies or in fact means that the person is over the retirement age, which varies according to country. Synonyms include pensioner in UK...
community, in which residence is unrestricted by age and job affiliation.
One categorization of retirement communities:
- ACTIVE communities (all residential units, no long-term healthcare facilities - also known as "independent living communities" such as Holiday Retirement which has over three hundred communities across the US.
- ACTIVE/SUPPORTIVE communities (a combination of residential and healthcare facilities - also known as "continuing care retirement communities" - CCRC)
- SUPPORTIVE communities (all longterm healthcare units, like assisted livingAssisted livingAssisted living residences or assisted living facilities provide supervision or assistance with activities of daily living ; coordination of services by outside health care providers; and monitoring of resident activities to help to ensure their health, safety, and well-being.Assistance may...
facilities or nursing homes)
Continuing care retirement communities
At the time of writing (late 2010), the term Continuing Care Retirement Community is the primary term for a major part of the retirement scene, in books, magazines, accreditation and legislation, in parallel with the categorization just presented. A typical definition, from a New York Department of Health websitehttp://www.health.state.ny.us/facilities/long_term_care/retirement_communities/continuing_care is "Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) and fee-for-service continuing care retirement communities (FFSCCRCs) are residential alternatives for adults that offer, under one contract, an independent living unit (an apartment or cottage), residential amenities and access to a continuum of long term care services, as residents' health and social needs change over time." The accrediting agency CCRC/CARF http://www.carf.org/aging uses the term CCRC with the same meaning. So do texts that include Senior Living Communities: Operations Management and Marketing for Assisted Living, Congregate, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities by Benjamin W. Pearce. (For a perspective on this paragraph in relation to the overall article see Discussion.)
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Other information
A number of publishers have created lists of the 100 best retirement communities or "100 best places (or towns) to retire". For the most part these lists are helpful in terms of finding desirable communities to live in. The extent to which desirable amenities are "priced" in labor markets (lower wages in nice places) or housing markets (higher housing prices in nice places) will have a large impact on their appeal elderly retirees who no longer have to pay in the labor market. One drawback to these lists is that these communities often become more expensive as a result of their popularity.Retirement communities in the United States
So far 6 U.S. states have created Certified Retirement Community programs with approximately 70 towns and communities included (see list). The obvious purpose of these programs is to encourage economic development - retirement, particularly baby boomer retirement - is very bigbusiness. States seek to encourage retirement in their states; keeping existing residents and encouraging out of state residents to move to a new state. Bill Haas of the University of North Carolina's Institute for the Future of Retirement estimates that the economic impact of a retiree household moving to a state is the equivalent of 1.4 factory jobs.
The six states that have publicized their certification programs are:
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Tennessee has a program that promotes retirement in select communities in that state; the program is called "Retire Tennessee".
- Texas
- West Virginia(West Virginia calls its program a "Designated Retirement Community".
Arizona
- Circle CityCircle City, ArizonaCircle City is an unincorporated community in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. 14 miles northwest of Surprise, Arizona, on U.S. Route 60...
- Green ValleyGreen Valley, ArizonaGreen Valley is a census-designated place in Pima County, Arizona, United States. The population was 17,283 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Green Valley is located at ....
- Rio VerdeRio Verde, ArizonaRio Verde is a census-designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is a gated, master planned community. The population was 1,811 at the 2010 census.-History:...
- Sun CitySun City, ArizonaSun City is a census-designated place and unincorporated town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The population was 38,309 at the 2000 census...
- Sun City WestSun City West, ArizonaSun City West is a census-designated place in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The population was 26,344 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sun City West is located at ....
California
- Leisure World in Seal Beach, CaliforniaSeal Beach, California-Neighborhoods:Seal Beach encompasses the Leisure World retirement gated community with roughly 9,000 residents. This was the first major planned retirement community of its type in the U.S...
- RossmoorRossmoor, Walnut Creek, CaliforniaRossmoor is a gated community in Walnut Creek, California, with a population of about 9200. It was one of the first "active adult" communities for residents 55 years or older in the San Francisco Bay Area.- History :...
, Walnut Creek, CaliforniaWalnut Creek, CaliforniaWalnut Creek is an incorporated city located east of the city of Oakland. It lies in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. While not as large as neighboring Concord, Walnut Creek serves as the business and entertainment hub for the neighboring cities within central Contra Costa...
Florida
- Century VillageCentury Village, FloridaCentury Village is a census-designated place in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States and is best known as a retirement community....
- Lehigh AcresLehigh Acres, FloridaLehigh Acres is a census-designated place in Lee County, Florida, United States. The US Census Bureau estimates the CDP's population at 67,867 as of 2006...
- Penney FarmsPenney Farms, FloridaPenney Farms is a town in Clay County, Florida, United States. The population was 580 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 617.- History :...
- Sun City CenterGreater Sun Center, FloridaGreater Sun Center, known more commonly as Sun City Center, is an unincorporated census-designated place located in southern Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. It is located south of Tampa and north of Sarasota on I-75. As of the 2000 census, the population was 16,321...
- The VillagesThe Villages, FloridaThe Villages is a master-planned age-restricted retirement community located mainly in Sumter County, Florida, United States, but also includes portions of Lake and Marion counties. The community is controlled by several Community Development Districts , most of which are controlled by H. Gary...
- Lanark VillageLanark Village, FloridaLanark Village is an unincorporated community in Franklin County, Florida, United States. It is located along US 98, on the Gulf of Mexico.-Geography:Lanark Village is located at ....
New Jersey
- Cedar GlenCedar Glen Lakes, New JerseyCedar Glen Lakes is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Manchester Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 1,617.-Geography:Cedar Glen Lakes is located at ....
in Manchester TownshipManchester Township, New JerseyManchester Township is a Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. The township is noted for containing the Lakehurst Naval Air Station, the site of the infamous Hindenburg disaster of May 6, 1937... - Crestwood VillageCrestwood Village, New JerseyCrestwood Village is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Manchester Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 8,392.-Geography:Crestwood Village is located at ....
in Manchester TownshipManchester Township, New JerseyManchester Township is a Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. The township is noted for containing the Lakehurst Naval Air Station, the site of the infamous Hindenburg disaster of May 6, 1937... - Holiday CityHoliday City-Berkeley, New JerseyHoliday City-Berkeley is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Berkeley Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 13,884....
in Berkeley TownshipBerkeley Township, New JerseyBerkeley Township is a Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population had increased to a record high of 41,255.... - Leisure VillageLeisure Village, New JerseyLeisure Village is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Lakewood Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 4,443. The sprawling active adult community is also locally known as "Original" Leisure Village because it...
in Lakewood TownshipLakewood Township, New Jersey-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 60,352 people, 19,876 households, and 13,356 families residing in the township. The population density was 2,431.8 people per square mile . There were 21,214 housing units at an average density of 854.8 per square mile... - LeisuretowneLeisuretowne, New JerseyLeisuretowne is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Southampton Township, in Burlington County, New Jersey. As of the 2000 United States Census, the CDP population was 2,535...
in Southampton TownshipSouthampton Township, New JerseySouthampton Township is a Township in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 10,388.... - Pine RidgePine Ridge at Crestwood, New JerseyAs of the census of 2000, there were 2,025 people, 1,367 households, and 567 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 457.2/km2 . There were 1,514 housing units at an average density of 341.8/km2 . The racial makeup of the CDP was 98.77% White, 0.49% African American, 0.05% Native...
in Manchester TownshipManchester Township, New JerseyManchester Township is a Township in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. The township is noted for containing the Lakehurst Naval Air Station, the site of the infamous Hindenburg disaster of May 6, 1937... - RossmoorRossmoor, New JerseyRossmoor is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Monroe Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 3,129....
, ClearbrookClearbrook Park, New JerseyClearbrook Park is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Monroe Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, with the age restricted gated community of Clearbrook as its center...
, ConcordiaConcordia, New JerseyConcordia is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Monroe Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, oriented around the age restricted gated community of Concordia...
, and WhittinghamWhittingham, New JerseyWhittingham, also known as Greenbriar at Whittingham, is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Monroe Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 2,483...
in Monroe TownshipMonroe Township, Middlesex County, New JerseyMonroe Township is a Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the township population was 27,999. Monroe was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 9, 1838, from portions of South Amboy Township, based on the...
Australia
Golf Shore By Sarian is unusual as an active adult village, because the community includes continuing care residences with the full range of services you may need later on. That means you’ll be able to remain in the community you’ve come to call home, among friends you care for and enjoy the comfort of knowing you have the freedom to choose your level of care as your needs increase.India
In India too, due to the diasporaDiaspora
A diaspora is "the movement, migration, or scattering of people away from an established or ancestral homeland" or "people dispersed by whatever cause to more than one location", or "people settled far from their ancestral homelands".The word has come to refer to historical mass-dispersions of...
associated with IT Industry, the traditional family system in which elders would be cared for by their children has been collapsing in recent years. This has necessitated the development of retirement homes and communities in India. Ashiana Housing Ltd. and Serene Retirement Communities by Covai Property Centre (I) Pvt Ltd. are foremost names in retirement communities in India.
Once recent trend to emerge in the Indian retirement industry is the "retirement resort": a long-term rental unit within a resort-like community, with many of the amenities of a traditional vacation resort
Resort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
. This trend is just starting, and there is no evidence that it will take hold. Although no official statistics exist, HelpAge India, an organization servicing the senior community in India, estimates that of the 80 million senior citizens in India, perhaps only 1 million would accept the notion of a retirement resort, and of that number, perhaps only 50% (500,000) are even aware of the idea.
New Zealand
- Selwyn Village, Auckland, is run by an Anglican church Trust. It includes self-contained houses and apartments, bed-sits, and a hospital.
- Lauriston Park, Cambridge, Waikato is owned and operated by the Neil Group. It specialises in high quality independent living villas.
Spain
- Villamartin Hills - Retirement Accommodation and Retirement Living for the Over 55’s in the Spanish Retirement community.
Villamartin Hills is a totally new concept in Retirement Accommodation and Retirement Living for the Over 55's. The complex consists of 68 luxury apartments arranged on two levels. The apartments are set in beautifully landscaped gardens and a gardener will ensure that they remain that way. There are a wealth of other facilities on site as well, such as a covered, climate controlled swimming pool, a Wellness Centre, a library and a cinema.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom retirement villages are becoming more and moreprevalent. According to a recent BBC report (Aug 2009) there are
approximately 25,000 people across the UK now living within a retirement
village model.
Models do vary - from local authority funded and charitable schemes such as
Hartrigg Oaks in York led by the Joseph Rowntree Trust through to
privately-funded projects such as Roseland Parc in Cornwall by Retirement Villages Ltd
Retirement villages
Retirement Villages Ltd is a British residential property developer based in Surrey, England. Residents have to be 55 or over to live in their developments.- History :...
,, Fleet house retirement village in Devon, and Boughton Hall in Chester.
Retirement Villages Ltd opened their first scheme in the UK over 25 years
ago so the model is not so new to the UK as people think. There is
now an umbrella organisation called the Association of Retirement Village
Operators UK (ARVOUK) working to collaborate thinking and best practice in
this popular retirement homes market.
See also
- Age-restricted communityAge-restricted communityAn age-restricted community or age-segregated community is a housing area, often gated, that restricts ownership to individuals who are over a set age. Often the minimum age is 50 years, but it could be 55 or even 60....
- Eldercare
- Nursing homeNursing homeA nursing home, convalescent home, skilled nursing unit , care home, rest home, or old people's home provides a type of care of residents: it is a place of residence for people who require constant nursing care and have significant deficiencies with activities of daily living...
- Veterans Health AdministrationVeterans Health AdministrationThe Veterans Health Administration is the component of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs led by the Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health that implements the medical assistance program of the VA through the administration and operation of numerous VA outpatient clinics,...
External links
- Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities
- Free Retirement Living Directory
- NORC Blueprint - A Guide to Community Action and resource for developing effective NORC programs
- US News and World Report - Is a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community Right for you?
- Carolina Aging - A comprehensive directory of North Carolina retirement communities