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Sunday, October 19, 2025 | Special Advertising Section 16memory care designed for those with dementia or Alzheimer%u2019s disease. %u201cCosts can be unpredictable and difficult to plan for because care needscan vary so much. Some individuals experience years of higher-level care,while others never need the care at all,%u201d Cook says.A proactive approachSome older adults are taking aproactive approach, choosing senior housing that accommodates the entireaging spectrum with predictablecosts. Families model several different scenarios, such as two to four yearsof assisted living and annual costincreases. They also review ways to help pay for housing care, includinginsurance or community contracts. One increasingly popular modelchosen is the Type A (Life Care) model.This model charges a predictablemonthly fee for an independent living residence. If you later needassisted living, memory care or skillednursing, the monthly payment remainscomparatively predictable. Although terms can vary, thisapproach offers more cost protection over time, versus paying full marketrates, Cook says. On a Type A campus, residentsbenefit throughout the aging spectrum,due to intentional design with agefriendly aspects such as safe paths,lighting and accessible amenities.%u201cResearch links walkable, age-friendlydesign to greater mobility, activity andengagement, which in turn lowerschronic-disease risk and isolation,%u201d sheSPONSORED CONTENTPROVIDED BY EMERALD COMMUNITIES | EMERALD HEIGHTSWell outside most public awareness, a tsunami %u2014 an enormous wave ofdramatic social importance, causedby an underwater event %u2014 is quietlybuilding beneath the nation%u2019s surface. The coming %u201csilver tsunami%u201d refers to a growing population of baby boomersaging into retirement. The U.S. Census shows the second-largest generationwill be 65 or older by 2030, and livingeven longer, thanks to advances in health care.The population 65 and older grewnearly five times faster than the totalpopulation between 1920 and 2020, according to the 2020 Census.Simultaneously, the senior-housingdevelopment pipeline has slowed to itslowest levels in more than a decade.More than 564,000 new seniorhousing units will be needed by 2030, according to the National InvestmentCenter for Seniors Housing & Care.But based on current trends, only about 191,000 beds will be addedto the supply. Shortages stem fromfactors including facility closures,workforce shortages, limited capitalinvestment and rising construction and financing costs.This tsunami may sweep manyAmerican families off their feet,logistically and financially. %u201cFamilies often budget for short-term help but underestimate multi-yearscenarios or progressive conditions,%u201d says Sandra Cook, vice-president ofmarketing and public relations forEmerald Communities. For example, if a parent needs more intensive future The silver tsunami: Preparing for the future of aging in AmericaEmerald Heights in Redmond ofers vibrant senior living on a scenic 38-acre campus. With Life Care, financial predictability and a close-knit community,residents enjoy wellness, lifelong learning and peace of mind %u2014 knowingfuture care needs are met in one place. Learn more at emeraldheights.com. Purposeful %u201cthird places%u201d (caf%u00e9s, libraries, fitness centers, art studios) have beenshown to support mental well-being, as does being in nature.The coming %u201csilver tsunami%u201d refers to a growing population of baby boomers aginginto retirement. (Emerald Heights)says. Social isolation can be a seriousconcern, particularly for those whoage in place without nearby family orsupport networks. %u201cIsolation is linked to poorer healthoutcomes, yet it often goes unnoticed until it becomes critical,%u201d Cook says.At campuses like Emerald Communities%u2019 Emerald Heights in Redmond, for example, purposeful%u201cthird places%u201d (caf%u00e9s, libraries, fitness,art studios) support mental well-being. So does the one-mile nature trail andother biophilic design features that connect people to nature, includingnatural light, water elements, andlocally sourced materials.Dozens of resident-led clubs/committees create meaningful responsibilities and reduce barriers tosocial engagement. Critical, as socialisolation and loneliness are associatedwith higher risks of prematuredeath, heart disease, stroke, anxiety,depression and dementia, Cook notes.Securing a spot Getting your name on a community%u2019s waiting list is a conversation and adecision. But it%u2019s often one that should be engaged with sooner rather thanlater. Despite completing a majorindependent living expansion projectin 2024, Emerald Heights hit 100%occupancy by year-end.%u201cAcross the industry, crediblesources recommend joining waitlistsearly %u2014 even one to three or moreyears ahead,%u201d Cook says. %u201cAt EmeraldHeights, demand is strong, and we usea priority list. Historically, many peoplejoin months to years in advance, withwait times ranging from a few monthsto several years,%u201d she says.As you or a loved one consider postretirement options, Cook suggestssteering clear of ultimatums, insteadusing curious, values-based promptsand an invitation to plan together.