A life care retirement community for Dallas, Texas

It has been estimated that by the turn of the century the elderly population in the United States will increase by 59%. representing 18% of the total population. The demand for purpose built housing for the elderly already exceeds supply and solutions to the ever-growing elderly population require special attention. There are many options for retirement living that have been tested, some for centuries and others just recently. This decade is witnessing a boom in the provision of housing specifically for the elderly. The new generation of elderly is represented by more private owner occupiers than in the past and expectations for quality housing and services is on the rise. Evaluating past successes and failures gives opportunity to focus on how well user requirements and expectations have been met and reveal key information for designers and developers of the future. The new wnerging needs of the elderly are focused on security of place and having a well designed plan for life care. With the increasing number of the population becoming older, it is imperative that architecture respond to the demands of society to enhance the quality of life for all ages. This research is focused on seeking solutions to the contemporary needs of those who have a broad life experience and deserve quality and security in retirement. Most current facilities for retirement are focused on specific needs of an individual at a specific point in their life. The many stages of growing older need not have such specific solutions in different facilities. To meet needs along a continuum of a life span for this new generation of elderly, an entirely new concept has recently emerged. A home that is able to "grow" with the different stages of age from independence to frailty is indeed where the future of health care and retirement living is directed. A mutual blend of services and amenities to aid the life process is a primary goal of contemporary design for the aged.