• As the baby boomer generation becomes the next wave in the senior population, issues like housing, medical care and financial planning are becoming paramount in terms of planning. Senior housing developing in particular is a hot button topic, as this type of housing requires special construction and decor considerations to ensure the housing structure is elder-friendly. Moreover, as more communities make the move to become senior friendly, senior housing developments are gaining in demand.
  
  

Senior-Friendly Location

• When developing senior housing, one of the most important keys to a successful project is the location. Senior housing should be nearby vital services, such as shopping, public transportation and medical services. This allows those seniors who may no longer drive or need to visit the doctor frequently easy access to care. The more the housing development--be it a planning community or a group of apartments--has within walking distance, the easier it is for senior residents to both navigate and ingratiate themselves into the community around them.
  
  

Proper Financing Levels

• Developing senior-friendly housing comes at a much different cost than some of the more basic housing development costs. This is because senior housing extras can add up quickly, such as specialty fixtures and the purchase and installation of handlebars and other things to outfit the home for an aging individual. When you obtain financing, it is important to be up front about all that you plan to do to make the development elder-ready so that you get the proper amount of financial assistance.
  
  

Elder-Ready Construction

• Developing senior housing requires different considerations than developing the average home or apartment building. From installing handlebars in the bathroom along with a raised toilet, to eliminating stairs and making doorways wider for wheelchairs, considerations within the confines of senior developments are numerous. Homes should generally be on one level and as many of the development's components as possible should be within arm's reach, eliminating, for example, super high cabinets or alcove spaces. Developers must think as a senior would and gather careful research and input from senior housing experts to determine what is needed to make the home elder friendly.