Retirement Living News

May 2006

HEADLINES  (Click on headline to read story)

• New Census Bureau Report Suggests How Baby boomers
  Will Further Redefine Aging in the Future
• New Migration Report from Census bureau Shows
  Nevada is Fastest Growing State
• New Book: Worry-Free Retirement Living: Choosing a
  Full Service Retirement Community
• Finding an Accredited Continuing Care Retirement Community
• Senior Discounts on Airfares: Are There Any?
• Publishing Venture Formed to Market Georgia as a Retirement Destination
  

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NEWS STORIES

New Census Bureau Report Suggests How Baby Boomers
Will Further Redefine Aging in the Future 

The face of aging in the United States is changing dramatically - and rapidly, according to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau. Today's older Americans are very different from their predecessors, living longer, having lower rates of disability, achieving higher levels of education and less often living in poverty. And the baby boomers, the first of whom will celebrate their 60th birthdays in 2006, promise to redefine further what it means to grow older in America. 

"The social and economic implications of an aging population - and of the baby boom in particular - are likely to be profound for both individuals and society," says Census Bureau Director Louis Kincannon. 

A report titled 65+ in the United States: 2005 , commissioned by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), a component of the National Institutes of Health, provides a picture of the health and socioeconomic status of the aging population. It highlights striking shifts in aging on a population scale and also describes changes at the local and even family level. NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, M.D., says the report tells us that we have made a lot of progress in improving the health and well-being of older Americans, but there is much left to do. 

Among the trends: 

• The U.S. population age 65 and over is expected to double in size within the next 25 years. By 2030, almost 1-out-of-5 Americans - some 72 million people - will be 65 years or older. The age group of 85 and older is now the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population.
  
• The health of older Americans is improving. Still, many are disabled and suffer from chronic conditions. The proportion with a disability fell significantly from 26.2 percent in 1982 to 19.7 percent in 1999. But 14 million people age 65 and older reported some level of disability in Census 2000, mostly linked to a high prevalence of chronic conditions such as heart disease or arthritis. 
  
• The financial circumstances of older people have improved dramatically, although there are wide variations in income and wealth. The proportion of people aged 65 and older in poverty decreased from 35 percent in 1959 to 10 percent in 2003, mostly attributed to the support of Social Security. In 2000, the poorest fifth of senior households had a net worth of $3,500 ($44,346 including home equity) and the wealthiest had $328,432 ($449,800 including home equity). 
  
• The "oldest" states -- those with the highest percentages of people age 65 and older -- are Florida (17.6 percent), Pennsylvania (15.6 percent) and West Virginia (15.3 percent). Charlotte County, Fla. (34.7 percent) has the highest concentration of older residents and McIntosh County, N.D., (34.2 percent) ranks second. These two are followed by Highlands, Fla. (33 percent), Citrus, Fla. (32.2 percent), Kalawao, Hawaii (32 percent), Sarasota, Fla. (31.5 percent), Hernando, Fla. (30.9 percent), Llano, Texas (30.7 percent), McPherson, S.D. (29.6 percent), and Divide, N.D. 29.5 percent) 
  
• Higher levels of education, which are linked to better health, higher income, more wealth and a higher standard of living in retirement, will continue to increase among people 65 and older. The proportion of Americans with at least a bachelor's degree grew five-fold from 1950 to 2003, from 3.4 percent to 17.4 percent; and by 2030, more than one-fourth of the older population is expected to have an undergraduate degree. The percentage completing high school quadrupled from 1950 to 2003, from 17 percent to 71.5 percent. 
  
• As the United States grows more diverse, so does the population age 65 and older. In 2003, older Americans were 83 percent non-Hispanic white, 8 percent black, 6 percent Hispanic and 3 percent Asian. By 2030, an estimated 72 percent of older Americans will be non-Hispanic white, 11 percent Hispanic, 10 percent black and 5 percent Asian. 
  
• Changes in the American family have significant implications for future aging. Divorce, for example, is on the rise, and some researchers suggest that fewer children and more stepchildren may change the availability of family support in the future for people at older ages. In 1960, only 1.6 percent of older men and 1.5 percent of women age 65 and older were divorced; but by 2003, 7 percent of older men and 8.6 percent of older women were divorced and had not remarried. The trend may be continuing. In 2003, among people in their early 60s, 12.2 percent of men and 15.9 percent of women were divorced. 

The 243-page report is a project of the NIA's Behavioral and Social Research Program. The program's director, Richard M. Suzman, Ph.D., says that with five years to go before the first baby boomers turn 65, "Many people have an image of aging that may be 20 years out of date. The very current portrait presented in the report shows how much has changed and where trends may be headed in the future."
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New Migration Report from Census Bureau Shows
Nevada is Fastest Growing State

The U.S. Census Bureau has released a report that shows Nevada had the highest annualized net migration rate of any state, 23.3 per 1,000 average population in the period 2000 to 2004. Its net migration rate dropped from 29.8 in the 1990 to 2000 period. Arizona was a distant second with 12.2 per 1,000 average population in the latest report, a drop from 14.5 in the 1990 to 2000 period. 

The data is part of a new Census Bureau report -- Domestic Net Migration in the United States: 2000 to 2004. It should be noted that the report covers all ages and not just retirees. 

In terms of the average population increase per year, Florida led the 2000-2004 period with 191,000 followed by Arizona (66,000) and Nevada (51,000). In the 1990 to 2000 period, Florida had an annual average increase of 112,000, while Arizona experienced an average increase of 62,000, and Nevada, 46,000. 

Listed below are the states with the highest and lowest average annual rates of domestic migration per 1,000 people.

A table showing a state-by-state comparison of the average annual number of people migrating to a state or leaving a state for the two time periods, and the average annual rate, can be view at: http://www.census.gov/prod/2006pubs/p25-1135.pdf.
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New Book: Worry-Free Retirement Living: 
Choosing a Full Service Retirement Community

If you are thinking about a continuing care retirement community for your parents or yourself, Worry-Free Retirement Living: Choosing a Full Service Retirement Community by Ralph and Loni Smith will help you make that decision. It is loaded with tips and guidance, and talks about the pros and cons of a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) which they call a full service retirement community. These communities have independent living, assisted living (personal care), skilled nursing (medical care), and Alzheimer's/dementia care. 

In the course of writing this book, the authors studied and visited hundreds of full service retirement communities, and interviewed more than a thousand current residents. The result is a compendium of details you need to know and questions you need to ask. 

You can order the book from Amazon ($19.95) by clicking here. 
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Finding an Accredited Continuing Care Retirement Community

In recent years, many attractive options for retirement living have emerged. One popular option is the continuing care retirement community, or CCRC. This type of community is different from other housing and care options for older people because it offers a long-term contract that provides for housing, services and nursing care, usually all in one location. 

At the same time, CCRCs offer some distinct advantages, including physical and financial security, independence and access to health care, companionship of friends and neighbors of similar age and access to community facilities and privacy. The CCRC's emphasis on the individual, coupled with a supportive environment, allows residents to continue to pursue their lifelong interests. 

When searching for a CCRC, you may want to look for one that has been reviewed by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC). The commission was established in 1985 to help ensure that the nation's retirement communities fulfill their promise of quality lifetime care to older persons. In 2003 it was acquired by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) but it remains the nation's only accrediting body for continuing care retirement communities and other types of continuums of care referred to as aging services networks. http://www.carf.org/Providers.aspx?content=content/Accreditation/
Opportunities/AS/CCAC.htm

There are many different options in the CCRC industry. Consider the community size when making your decision; do you prefer a large community with many options and services, or something smaller and more individualized? Would you prefer a more "formal" environment, or are you a casual person at heart? There are CCRCs of all types and sizes and you should find one where you will feel most at home. 

It is important to note that there are many fine CCRCs that are not accredited. This does not mean that they are poor performers. It simply means that the organization has not been reviewed by an independent third-party accreditation system. Accreditation is a voluntary process, so organizations can decide whether or not they want to pursue it. 

An easy-to-use database of accredited CCRCs is available on the CARF Web site at: http://www.carf.org/Consumer.aspx?Content=CCACSearch. Just select a state and all of the accredited facilities will be displayed.
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Senior Discounts on Airfares: Are There Any?

Fewer airlines are offering discounted fares for seniors, particularly with the increasing cost of fuel. AARP offers its Passport program which helps travelers find lower fares. Operated in conjunction with Travelocity, the online travel agency, AARP members can achieve some savings on their travel plans. For details, call 1-888-291-1757. 

Many airlines offer senior discount booklets that are sold as four one-way tickets; others offer a fixed percentage off the fare (usually 10 percent). However, many of the airlines' regular discount fares are cheaper than senior fares. Due to the competitive nature of the aviation industry, a number of airlines are apparently selling many tickets below cost. You may find that senior fares are not cheaper than the already low fares out there. 

There's one thing to remember, though. While senior fares may sometimes cost more than the airline's web-based specials, the cost is rarely more than a few dollars and there are advantages. Senior fares may not be as restrictive as other fares, can be used for last-minute travel, and are refundable if you have to cancel your flight. If you are flexible about when you fly or you have missed out on the Internet special fares, senior fares may be your best option. 

Delta Airlines offers reduced senior fares (age 62 and older) for its East Coast shuttle services between Boston and New York (LGA) and New York and Washington National. Seniors can fly for $75 one-way or $150 round trip. To book senior fares you must call Delta reservations at 1-800-221-1212. 

For years, Southwest Airlines has offered one of the best senior airfare discount programs in the U.S., giving travelers age 65 and up exclusive access to affordable fares for last-minute travel. Now, Southwest is making it even easier for mature travelers to buy and compare fares by making senior tickets available for online booking. Senior fares range from $49 one-way for the shortest flights to $129 one-way for the longest cross-country flights. There is no advance-purchase requirement for senior fares, so you can use them for last-minute travel. Tickets are also refundable. Visit the Southwest Web site or call (1-800-435-9792). 

American Airlines, American Eagle and American Connection may offer senior fares in some domestic markets for those age 65 or older. For further information, call American Airlines reservations at 1-800-433-7300. 

Northwest offers senior discount fares in select markets. Identify yourself as a senior when proceeding through the booking process on http://www.nwa.com/

US Airways does not offer any senior fares, but the airline has a variety of other discount fares in most markets. 

Continental offers senior fares to select travel destinations for passengers who are 65 and older. Ask for more details on these fares when you make your reservation, or when you make your booking, select the seniors (age 65 and older) category. Call 1-800-523-3273 for travel within the U.S. and 1-800-231-0856 for international reservations. 

United Airlines has its Silver Wings Plus program ($25/year) that offers unlimited access to zone fares along with access to special offers and discounts from the airline and its Silver Wings Plus travel partners. It also offers a Silver Wings Plus "Preferred" membership category ($20/month) where members receive $300 in travel credits each year, unlimited double miles on Mileage Plus partners, and customer service from the Silver Wings Plus Travel Center. To make travel plans or redeem credits, call 1-800-720-1765.
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Publishing Venture Formed to Market Georgia as a Retirement Destination

Georgia Lifestyles Publishing, Inc. has launched a new Web site and magazine to help retirement community developers attract retirees to Georgia. According to Dr. Charles Longino, Wake Forest University's noted sociologist and gerontologist, from 1995 to 2000 more than 64,000 retirees or near retirees moved into Georgia from another state. Of those 64,000 persons, over one third came from just two states -- Florida and New York. 

"Retirees migrating to Georgia plus in-state retirees relocating to another part of the state create enhanced economic opportunities for virtually all Georgia communities," said Patricia Duke, president of Georgia Lifestyles Publishing, Inc. The company's new Web site, RetireInGeorgia.com is aimed at providing timely information to potential retires and to share the people, places and pleasures that make Georgia unique. 

Since August 2005, Pulte Homes/Del Webb and Levitt & Sons have begun work on five active adult communities. Del Webb plans two and Levitt plans three - all in the Atlanta area. Georgia is one of the top 10 states in the country attracting in-migrating persons aged 60 and older. People are drawn to the state for its moderate climate, including four seasons, lack of weather extremes, lower taxes and overall cost-of-living, friendly people and its Southern lifestyle, according to Duke. 

The Web site went live at the end of April. The new Retire in Georgia magazine will be published bi-annually starting in the first quarter of 2007. The cost will be $20 for four issues. 
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