Grandpa And Granddaughter

Looking Ahead: How Do We Meet The Demand?

LeadingAge Minnesota recently released a list of important trends for older adult service providers. These trends, ranging from Medicaid spending to integrated technology, will be highlighted in future issues of NRC Insights in an effort to further discuss how they will impact our community. We begin with the first topic in the series – meeting the demands of a doubling aging population.

LeadingAge Minnesota, the largest association of organizations serving Minnesota seniors, reports that the number of people age 85 and older will nearly double over the next 20 years. With numbers on the rise, creative housing solutions and service options for aging adults are more important than ever. From multigenerational living to in-home assistance, alternative care trends are emerging, and with a shortage of vacancies in retirement communities, they show no signs of slowing down.

Together Again

Some caregivers are taking matters into their own hands – and homes. One way to battle the rising costs of care for seniors is through multigenerational living arrangements. Pew Research Center defines a multigenerational household as one that includes two or more adult generations. A practice common in other parts of the world, multigenerational living is growing in popularity here in the United States. According to Pew, in 2012, 27.4 million Americans were living in multigenerational homes. By 2016, that number raised to 32.3 million, an increase of 4.9 million in just 4 years.Living under one roof can be greatly beneficial to a family. With more women in the workforce today and many families feeling financially strapped, the thought of sharing household responsibilities and costs can be appealing. Multigenerational living, however, is not for everyone. It is important to sit down as a family and carefully weigh all benefits and consequences before agreeing to this arrangement.

Aging in Place

In-home support systems provide the option for seniors to stay safely in their current residence longer, something that 80% of Minnesota seniors plan to do. With a variety of available services ranging from grocery shopping to hygiene assistance, aging adults are able to enjoy independence and comfort remaining in their own home.

Technology is Our Friend

Technological advances have made it easier than ever for caregivers to monitor elders’ health and activity, reducing some of the stress and worry for both parties. Fitness trackers, medication monitors and GPS technology are just some of the useful tools available today. Companies are continuously working to streamline and improve equipment and devices, with the goal of providing peace of mind to aging adults and their families. If you are interested in learning what solutions Northfield Retirement Community can provide, email Shelley Holden at sholden@northfieldretirement.org.

Traditional Senior Living

For others, traditional senior housing and communities, such as Northfield Retirement Community, are the best fit for both aging adults as well as their loved ones. With a variety of living options and services, retirement communities, like NRC, strive to keep their residents happy, active and safe. Many older adults enjoy the best of both worlds found within these facilities, the freedom of independence along with the comforting sense of community and accessible amenities.

“Planning for the future can feel overwhelming with many different options,” says NRC President and CEO Kyle Nordine. “At NRC, we are dedicated to educating the community and helping families navigate their options to find what works best for their loved ones.”

Starting The Conversation

Talking about the future can sometimes be difficult for families. Here are a few questions to help get the dialogue going:

  • How long do you want to stay in your house?
  • What changes need to be made to ensure
  • safety and comfort as you age?
  • Do you have an advance care plan to outline your health care wishes in the event that you can no longer speak for yourself?
  • Would you like to move into a smaller, more manageable home?
  • Is a multigenerational living situation right for our family?
  • How do you feel about moving into a retirement community?

NRC is pleased to collaborate with the Northfield Advance Care Planning Commitee. To connect with a qualified advance care planning facilitator, contact Susan Lohmann by calling 507-646-1314 or emailing lohmanns@northfieldhospital.org.


From 2020 to 2040, the number of people over 85 will nearly double. The sharply increasing population of aging adults will have a substantial effect on our community. Rising costs of care and lack of space available are just a couple of the concerns that are motivating families to explore creative and alternative care solutions. Trends such as multigenerational living and aging in place are becoming more popular as vacancies in traditional senior living communities become more limited. Rapid advances in home care technology are helping to provide peace of mind for seniors who wish to remain living independently.

This story is from the August 2018 issue of Northfield Retirement Community's newsletter, NRC Insights. Read the full issue here.