What does this indicator measure?
This indicator provides information on the types of housing available to seniors in the Dallas area. Factors such as the current availability of each type of housing, the rate at which it is being constructed, the number or proportion of seniors choosing each type of housing, and the cost of such housing are provided to the extent possible.
Why is this indicator important?
In the next 25 years, the U.S. population aged 65 and over is expected to double, according to
65 in the United States: 2005, a special report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in collaboration with several other government agencies. As a result, almost 20% of Americans will be over the age of 65. Moreover, Americans are living longer past age 65. The population over the age of 85 is the fastest growing age bracket. A rapidly aging population creates many challenges, particularly in the areas of health care, income, and housing for seniors. In an age of uncertain social security benefits and rising health care costs over longer retirements, it becomes all the more important to focus on what types of housing our growing population of seniors need and prefer, and at what cost, quality, and rate that housing is being constructed.
How are we doing?
Texas has a very large population of seniors. As reported in
65 in the United States: 2005, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
- Texas had more than 2 million residents over age 65 in the year 2000, making it fourth in the nation for largest population of seniors.
- Seniors over the age of 65 accounted for 9.9% of Texas’ population, and seniors over the age of 85 accounted for 1.1% of the Texas population.
The U.S. Census Bureau's
2004 American Communities Survey provides additional data on the senior population in Dallas, Denton, and Collin Counties.
Senior Population in three counties, 2004 |
| number of seniors age 65 | % of total population | number of seniors age 85 | % of senior population |
Dallas County | 177,967 | 7.9% | 15,155 | 8.5% |
Collin County | 32,740 | 5.2% | 1,372 | 4.2% |
Denton County | 25,434 | 4.9% | 1,674 | 6.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
American Communities SurveyApproximately 10.8% of households in Collin County, 16.1% of households in Dallas County, and 10.2% of households in Denton County have at least one member that is over the age of 65.
Today, seniors can choose from a wide variety of housing options varying in cost and level of services provided. The housing options can be divided into general housing occupied by seniors and senior-specific housing.
GENERAL HOUSING OCCUPIED BY SENIORS
Homeownership
Homeownership is still the most common form of housing among seniors. Homeownership is typically higher among seniors than it is among householders of other age groups, despite the services offered by senior-specific rental housing. Seniors living in their own home may utilize such services as home health care and Meals on Wheels. Additionally, family members or neighbors of seniors may check on them from time to time, often bringing food.
Homeownership rates among senior-headed households |
| 2004 | | | |
Dallas County | 77.94% | | | |
Collin County | 81.50% | | | |
Denton County | 89.07% | | | |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
American Communities SurveyIt is important to note that the homeownership rates as calculated above include only those households headed by seniors. Excluded entirely from the data set are seniors who have moved in with children or other relatives (because the relative would be considered the householder), although seniors whose grown children have moved back into the parental home to care for their elderly parent or parents may be included, provided that the title, mortgage, or lease remains in the name of the elderly person. Also excluded from the data set are seniors living in nursing homes because, unlike those living in other types of senior housing, nursing home residents are not considered to constitute households, but are rather part of the institutionalized population.
Standard rental housing
This category includes general rental units in mixed-age complexes with no senior-specific accommodations. Many low-income seniors who do not own their home and are not able to secure a unit in a public housing development for the elderly may find themselves in the same type of rental housing they occupied in their 40s or 50s.
Living with grown children
Many grown children of elderly parents in need of daily care, when faced with the cost of an assisted living residence, find that the most workable choice is to bring the elderly parent to live in their home. This type of living arrangement is measured by the presence of people over the age of 65 in households headed by people under the age of 65. Although the majority of these instances will be seniors living in the homes of their grown children, the statistical measure could also include seniors living with a spouse under the age of 65 (if the spouse is declared as the householder), another relative, or a nonrelative.
Percentage of senior households (households with at least one member over age 65)
in which the household is headed by someone under age 65 |
| 2004 | | | |
Dallas County | 16.5% | | | |
Collin County | 21.7% | | | |
Denton County | 17.4% | | | |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau,
American Communities Survey- In Dallas, Denton, and Collin Counties, between 2 and 3% of households headed by someone under the age of 65 included a member of the household over the age of 65.
SENIOR-SPECIFIC HOUSING
Senior apartments
This category includes rental units in seniors-only complexes, which are usually for those aged 55 and older. These properties do not provide any services such as meals or housekeeping, but they do provide a community of neighbors of similar age, as well as design features popular with seniors. These properties typically include a community room and a schedule of group activities, although the activities are often planned by residents themselves instead of by paid staff. These apartments could be units available at the market rate, units in a public housing development, or units that are subsidized through other methods, including low-income tax credits.
- Nationwide, senior apartments account for 14.4% of seniors units built in since 1997 (excluding nursing homes), according to Senior Housing Construction Report, 2005, published by the American Seniors Housing Association.
- This report also states that nationwide, 82% of senior apartment properties under construction in 2005 were categorized as “affordable.” This does not include any HUD public housing developments for seniors, suggesting that developers of senior apartments are utilizing tax-credits and other development subsidies to keep rents lower.
Independent living communities
This category denotes seniors-only rental complexes geared towards seniors who can function independently but who prefer some assistance with daily chores. Services provided can include housekeeping, laundry, and a central dining room serving 3 meals a day. An activities calendar is more likely to be planned and facilitated by a staff member, and limited transportation services for medical appointments or shopping excursions may be provided, according to Senior Housing Construction Report, 2005.
- Nationwide, independent living communities account for 23.4% of seniors units built since 1997 (excluding nursing homes), as reported by Senior Housing Construction Report, 2005.
Assisted living residences
These housing units are state-regulated rental properties that provide the same services as independent living communities, but also provide trained on-site staff to assist residents no longer able to function independently on a daily basis. Although residents do not require the constant medical care and supervision of a nursing home, they require assistance with basic activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, and moving from bed to chair, as described by Senior Housing Construction Report, 2005. Assisted living residences can be further subdivided into Type A facilities and Type B facilities. Type A assisted living facilities are a small step up from independent living residences, and cater to seniors whose mobility is not severely impaired and need assistance with only one or two ADLs. Type A residents must be able to evacuate the facility unassisted in the event of an emergency. Type B assisted living facilities cater to seniors with more severe mobility impairments needing assistance with most ADLs, as described by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.
- Of American seniors aged 65 to 74, 12% require assistance with ADLs, according to 65 in the United States: 2005.
- Of those aged 75 to 84, 27% require assistance with ADLs.
- Of seniors aged 85 and older, 70% require assistance with ADLs.
- For seniors needing daily assistance with ADLs, the options include an Assisted Living Residence, or reliance on family members or home health care services.
- The typical cost of an assisted living facility ranges between $900 and $3,000 per month, according to the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.
- In Dallas County, there were 54 Type A and 72 Type B assisted living residences in operation as of April 6, 2006.
- Nationwide, assisted living residences account for 38.2% of seniors units built since 1997 (excluding nursing homes), according to Senior Housing Construction Report, 2005.
Nursing homes
Also known as skilled nursing facilities, these are licensed facilities providing 24-hour care and supervision for seniors with significant disabling conditions. For seniors who are confined to bed or who need daily medical care, the only option other than a nursing home is to live with a family member or other caretaker. Even with a dedicated caretaker, skilled home health services may be necessary. According to the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, which licenses and evaluates nursing homes:
- The average cost of a nursing home in Texas is $2,900 per month.
- In Dallas County, there were 58 nursing homes in operation as of April 6, 2006.
- 33 of the 58 nursing homes in Dallas County were rated as “less favorable” (2 on a scale of 1 to 5) or lower in at least one of the four evaluation categories.
- 20 of the 58 nursing homes were rated as “least favorable” (1 on a scale of 1 to 5) in at least one of the four evaluation categories.
- Medicare and/or Medicaid will pay for the cost of nursing home care under certain circumstances.
- Only one of Dallas County’s 58 nursing homes does not accept Medicaid/Medicare.
- Nationwide, more than half of nursing home residents are aged 85 and older, according to 65 in the United States: 2005.
Nationwide percentage of seniors living in nursing homes, by age group, 1999 |
| Men | | Women | |
Age 65-74 | 1.0% | | 1.1% | |
Age 75-84 | 3.1% | | 5.1% | |
Age 85 | 11.7% | | 21.1% | |
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, 2003, as cited in 65 in the United States: 2005, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesContinuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
Also known as “aging in place” communities, these properties include a range of care options, from independent living to a skilled nursing wing, within the same complex. Payment schemes vary, but typically include a base price for a unit with additional fees for assisted living services and skilled nursing care. Some properties offer a condo-style payment scheme in which residents purchase a unit and pay a monthly service fee that increases with the services utilized.
- Nationwide, CCRCs account for 24% of seniors units built since 1997 (excluding nursing homes), according to Senior Housing Construction Report, 2005.
Construction in senior-specific housing
According to Senior Housing Construction Report, 2005:
- In Dallas area cities, eight senior housing properties broke ground for construction in 2005, for a total of 819 new units.
- In Texas, 44 new senior housing properties broke ground for construction in 2005, for a total of 3,189 new seniors units. Both in number of properties and number of units, Texas ranked second in the amount of new senior housing construction in 2005.
- Since 1997, 374 properties containing 28,582 units of senior housing (excluding nursing homes) have been built in Texas.