Pubspeaks

Writing About Aging Baby Boomers – It's Not Just About Lifestyle

By Victoria L. Rayner, WIW Member
 
Judy Schriener is a former long-time editor for McGraw-Hill Construction and most recently an editor of their online publications site, www.construction.com, which includes Architectural Record, Engineering News-Record and other well-known trade publications.  Schriener, who not too long ago became a member of WIW, has been writing since childhood when she discovered she just couldn’t resist writing her own endings to the Nancy Drew mysteries.

Schriener is currently working on an upcoming book to be published by McGraw-Hill focusing on the phenomenon of aging Baby Boomers, and how Boomers will forever change how homes are designed and built.  The social demographics of aging Boomers are entirely different from the generation that preceded them.  According to Schriener, Baby Boomers are more inclined to change their home environment upon becoming empty-nesters. Many are electing to move to urban/collegiate environments that offer a broad array of cultural amenities over the sunbelt retirement communities of the past.

As a group, said Schriener, Boomers are more physically active, more likely to travel independently than in organized group tours and more likely to choose active/adventures over stationary "leisure" resort travel. Boomers are continuing to work well past retirement, and, in fact, many will never “retire” as such. Many are changing careers, starting new businesses or engaging in volunteer activities. Unlike their parents’ generation, those who decide to become involved in volunteer/charitable activities want a say in strategic decision-making instead of merely engaging in envelope-stuffing or other less stimulating activities.

As one of the 78.2 million Baby Boomers in America, Schriener, who seeks to make a difference, is passionate about Boomers and aging. Writing this book is nothing less than a life’s mission, admits Schriener.  Her intention is not to just write a book but to inspire the creativity of architects and construction professionals everywhere who will be the developers of homes, communities and retirement villages of the future for Boomers. 

Baby Boomers want to live in their dream house, says Schriener, and many can afford to.  The Baby Boomers are a growing generation that have inherited or made a huge amount of money; but this doesn’t reflect every Boomer’s situation, which is why builders need to make their environment not only efficient but affordable. Schriener reminded us that a good deal of standard family homes in this country were built for six foot two, World War II veterans. Boomers want to take part in redesigning these out-of-date living structures, according to Schriener. Independence is key, and they are demanding design features for those of all ages and capabilities, including individuals with disabilities.  At the recent National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) [link to: http://www.nahb.org] International Builders Shows, she has talked with several manufacturers that are coming up with their own ideas in line with universal design, such as residential elevators and dishwashers and dryers built on higher platforms so these and other appliances are more readily accessible to older occupants.

Schriener says that while the housing market in general is suffering, designers and builders who focus on the over-50 set tend to be doing much better financially.  Some are also seeing their business shift to more remodeling. Boomers want designers and builders to come up with better solutions for remodeling bathrooms – including innovative breakthroughs such as heated floors and extra wide toilet seats to accommodate obesity. For builders, this means high-performance innovation. 

Baby Boomers want living spaces that will think, listen and deliver. They expect to do nothing less than what they have always done — connect, collaborate and control. In her talk, Schriener identified several types of active adult communities that will be centered around themes of great interest and concern to Baby Boomers, such as sailing, traveling, music, etc.  She forecasts the emergence of many new concepts like university-affiliated housing for persons who choose to be part of an active learning community and other housing trends that up until now have been unheard of.

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