SENIOR LIVING GETS REBOOTED: TOP FUTURE TRENDS IN AGING POINT TO NEW WAYS OF LIFE

Human longevity is undergoing a seismic shift, with future trends in aging potentially pointing to average lifespans stretching closer to 100. Alongside medical advances enabling aging in place, society will need to radically adjust infrastructure and policies to this silver tsunami. Emerging future trends in aging remaking the longevity economy involve reimagining urban design, transportation, finances, community engagement models, and technologies catering to changing physical and cognitive needs.

Age-friendly cities prioritizing walkability, housing diversity, and access to services can enable active daily living. Municipals developing dense mixed-use districts around transit, optimizing park spaces and public seating while retrofitting homes and businesses to accommodate limited mobility and sense impairment promise to set global standards. The WHO’s decade-long Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities spanning over 1,000 towns and other future trends in aging signify coordinated efforts.

Mobility innovations will facilitate freedom and reduce isolation risks. Electric autonomous shuttles and connected vehicles delivering custom experiences through voice/app control removes driving barriers. UberHealth’s and Lyft’s medical transport services offer rides to doctor appointments. Drone delivery networks will also expand quickly to deliver supplies on demand when leaving home poses difficulties.

Financial preparation is equally essential to fund lengthening retirements. Pensions systems require strengthening while private savings need boosting among younger cohorts. At the same time, banking innovations like digital payment platforms offer conveniences including seamless budgeting, automated bill settlements and fraud protection to simplify money management. Financial advisors consulting on annuities, reverse mortgages and trusts can ease planning.

Reimagining community ties and intergenerational connections also counters solitary risks. Cohousing clusters fostering informal networks through shared public spaces and social events builds lasting relationships. Volunteer opportunities allowing seniors to mentor students or train apprentices channels valuable knowledge transfer. Local community centers organizing fitness meetups, book clubs and hobby circles offers bonding forums to combat purposelessness after retirement.

Mind you, don’t forget either when reviewing future trends in aging how new assistive technologies must evolve to relieve age-related health burdens. Robotics show incredible promise on this front – from exoskeletons easing mobility around home and service robots assisting with daily tasks to companion bots motivating cognitive/social engagement. Meanwhile advances in remote diagnostics, telehealth and mHealth apps enable affordable access to advice for emerging concerns. Prioritizing needs of the aging also promises cross-generational societal dividends.