Rural Development News-February 1995
Senior Housing Decisions Studied
Older adults face many difficult decisions regarding housing. Nearly everyone wants to age in place, according
to Mary Yearns, associate professor and extension housing specialist from Iowa State University. This means that
they wish to continue living where they have lived for many years. However, many homes are not built or equipped
for people with special needs brought on by age or declining health.
Yearns and Betty Jo White, professor of housing at Kansas State University, conducted a workshop at the 4-State
Senior Housing Options and Strategies Conference, held in Clarinda, Iowa, on September 22, 1994. They used
skits and a case study to show changing housing needs as people age. They pointed out the decisions faced by older
people and their families as their needs change, and some of the options and alternatives.
Yearns and White described a living arrangements continuum, ranging from living in ones own home to continuous
care. Often people can continue to live where they are with small changes in housing arrangement or addition of
assistive equipment or devices. Decisions become difficult when such small changes are not available, and the only
alternatives seem to be independent living or nursing home care.
Examples of alternative housing were provided, including remodeling or adapting an existing home, second units,
congregate housing, and continuing care retirement communities. On display was the Home For All Ages, a full-sized
three-room traveling exhibit demonstrating features, equipment and assistive devices designed to make living more
convenient, comfortable, and safe for people of all ages.
The social and economic issues affecting community development as a result of the increasing percentage of the
population over 65 years of age were discussed by Wayne Kobberdahl, Iowa State University extension field specialist
for communities, and Barb Blocker, director of Southwest 8 Senior Services for Southwest Iowa.
The aging population should be considered in new construction, renovation and remodeling, and services provided
in communities, according to Kobberdahl and Blocker. They pointed out that older Americans control much of the
property and disposable income, and have a great effect on the economic health of an area.
Leo Cram, senior research specialist in Columbia, Missouri, and Lou Gray, community development specialist at the
University of Missouri-Maryville, then outlined community decisions which affect older people. Cram described the
continuum of senior adult life stages, and discussed how communities can consider the services people require as
they move from maximum independency to maximum dependency. These services translate to jobs and economic
revitalization.
The Senior Housing Conference was sponsored by the Page County Senior Housing Task Force organized under
the Page County Extension Council, and the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development. For more information
contact Ron Sanson at the Page County Extension Office, 311 E. Washington, Clarinda, IA 51536-1723; (712) 542-5171.
This article was prepared by Don Baker, media relations field specialist, Southwest Iowa, Iowa State University
Extension.
