A University of Northern Iowa professor says the retirement of the “Baby Boom” generation will create new challenges for nursing homes and care facilities. Kyle Kostelecky, is the coordinator of the U-N-I undergraduate gerontology program.He says the “Boomers” are looking for extended care, continuing care, long-term care, so he says they have expectations to begin the process earlier. He says we’ve never had that many people at that age before, so he says it’ll be “an interesting new twist on our long-term care industry.” Kostelecky says the boomers will retire with different expectations than their parents. He says it’s a group of people who’ve generally led a pretty good life and for the most part are more economically well off. He says it will be a hard transition for them to go from their four-thousand square foot house to a small apartment. Kostelecky says they’ll have other wants beyond spacious housing. He says they’ll want more opportunities for recreation, on-site health care. He says their expectations will be higher, including a large meeting space to be able to host large family reunions. Kostelecky says the industry is probably split right now in recognizing and preparing for the boomer retirements.He says there are some that’re buying up more property and expanding and asking the right questions. He says though, there are some that’re saying this is the way it’s always been. He says the first of the Boomers will turn 65 in 2011, with some retiring around 2008, at age 62 or before. Kostelecky says many of them may be in the retirement center/nursing home environment for 30 to 40 years or more.
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