The Future of Senior Living: The Eskaton Home

At the end of the day, caring will re-center in the home, where compassion and personalization reside.– Mike Magee, M.D.

90% of Minnesota baby boomers want to live at home, even if they or their spouse of a debilitating illness or disease.Ecumen Age Wave Study, 2007

This is cool. And it’s the senior housing and services profession that is leading the way.

It’s a national demonstration home for advances in housing for seniors or multiple generations. The single-story model house is a creation of our colleagues at Eskaton, a senior housing and services non-profit company in California. The home opened last month.

‘Three hundred-some people have toured this house,’ said Sheri Peifer, vice president with Carmichael-based Eskaton Senior Residences and Services. It’s a daily pilgrimage of architects, home builders, technology insiders and elder-care professionals. Visitors came this week from Florida, Georgia and Oregon. The 1,850-square-foot house is a joint venture with Roseville builder Lakemont Homes.Most people associate 40-year-old Eskaton with assisted living. But its demonstration house is a pitch to the design and building industry for what’s possible now in standard senior housing. The new in-home technology on display helps seniors with what they want most: to stay in their own house as long as possible.So think fitness centers for the brain instead of biceps. (A special computer designed with help from the UCLA Center on Aging offers memory exercises to ward off dementia). Or picture in-home blood pressure checks on a wireless device that sends results to nurses. Webcams offer personal medical consultations without an office visit. (Intel’s new touchscreen Health Guide device asks: ‘How are you feeling today?’ If not so good, it suggests what to do before it turns into trouble).The remote monitoring, however, is most interesting to children of aging parents. A ‘Grand Care’ digital system ‘allows seniors to live at home and offers family members peace of mind they’re doing fine,’ said Kathy Hatten, an Eskaton guide who takes people on tours through the house.Sensors that look like computer mice and detect motion can be placed throughout the home. If motion falls to an unusually low level €“ suggesting a fall or medical problem €“ alerts are sent to children or others who may be down the street or across the country.This two-bedroom, two-bath house, however, is not just about technology. It also contains small touches you never think about when you’re younger. The air filter is near the floor instead of in the ceiling. Doors are 36 inches wide to accommodate wheelchairs. There are no steps to trip on. Shelves are low and electrical sockets are high.Welcome to the future of senior living.

Want to Learn About Other Senior Living Technologies?: Visit Our Technology Page