Aging & Social Change: Ninth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

Programs, policies, and research in the senior housing demographic focus on the social, medical and economic area of aging. Housing for mobile seniors is an area that is neglected in research. While development of nursing/care homes and social housing units is important, the senior demographic is mobility diverse. Needs of mobile seniors are not being met in many international markets. Briefly reviewing historical and current real estate activity in housing development and surveying active seniors through original research are the basis of this paper that promotes more diverse housing choices and development for mobile seniors. This study focuses on Poland because it is the largest country in Central and Eastern Europe and there are similar real estate and senior housing issues across this region. It is hoped that as a result of this research, Poland could be used as a model to diversify and improve housing conditions for seniors at all levels of mobility not only in Poland, but across Central and Eastern Europe.