New Guide Supports Planning for an Aging Community
Posted February 24, 2022
Chester County's population of those aged 65 and older is anticipated to almost double between 2015 and 2045, from 74,587 to 145,040 residents. This is a good thing — as it indicates that people are living and staying active longer — however it will have significant impacts on housing across the county, affecting both private and senior living arrangements.
Because of the anticipated increase in the county's senior population (which stands true across the U.S.), the Chester County Planning Commission recently released the Aging-Friendly Planning Guide to help municipalities prepare for this upcoming shift. By adapting their existing housing stock, they can create housing to meet the needs of the aging population such as smaller, more affordably-priced, and senior living arrangement units.
The guide recommends that communities strive to achieve five main strategies in line with Landscapes3 and A+ Homes to address these demographic changes: help seniors age-in-place; develop housing options for seniors to age-in-community; facilitate multigenerational and shared housing; keep seniors physically and socially connected; and create a range of price options for housing. Every senior will have individual and evolving housing needs, so providing multiple housing options is the key to a successful senior housing approach.
View the guide to learn more about the need for increased housing, including approaches and strategies, context, and resources.