It gets very confusing--the term "senior".For some, "senior" refers to someone over 55. While we readily accept the description of boomer, the term "senior" seems reserved for our parents generation, now 80 years and older.
Senior citizen discounts range in age. Denny's specifies that you must be at least 55 and older to order from the senior menu. Our local movie theater specifies senior discounts for those 65+. TJ Maxx offers senior days to 60+.
AARP which used to be known as the American Association of Retired Persons not only changed their brand name but sets their audiences age at 50.
A article in Tribune Newspapers entitled "Yes, we are senior citizens" noted social security benefits kicking in at age 62 but 65 as the age for better benefits. In explaining the disparity in discounts, the author quoted Terri Albert, marketing professor at the University of Hartford's Barney School of Business, who explained how different organizations define the word "senior". Sixty-two and 65 are the Social Security Administration categories while AARP lowered the age to 50, adding millions of potential new members.
Associating "senior" with retired certainly is inaccurate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 80% of workers ages 50-54 held jobs last year.
Gearing our senior communities to the customers of today and the future needs to focus on the customer's needs and desires. Are they active "active adults" who are more empty nesters than retirees who may be less active? Are they semi-retirees desiring a "lock and leave" lifestyle without bundle services such as meals and housekeeping.
I recently toured an active adult community in the Princeton, NJ area. The homes were spectacular but every entry was up a flight of stairs and backyards required another set of stairs. While many of the master bedroom suites were on the first level, some of the homes provided elevators as a standard feature. These homes would certainly have appeal for many but the customer would be the active "active adult".
Senior citizen discounts range in age. Denny's specifies that you must be at least 55 and older to order from the senior menu. Our local movie theater specifies senior discounts for those 65+. TJ Maxx offers senior days to 60+.
AARP which used to be known as the American Association of Retired Persons not only changed their brand name but sets their audiences age at 50.
A article in Tribune Newspapers entitled "Yes, we are senior citizens" noted social security benefits kicking in at age 62 but 65 as the age for better benefits. In explaining the disparity in discounts, the author quoted Terri Albert, marketing professor at the University of Hartford's Barney School of Business, who explained how different organizations define the word "senior". Sixty-two and 65 are the Social Security Administration categories while AARP lowered the age to 50, adding millions of potential new members.
Associating "senior" with retired certainly is inaccurate. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 80% of workers ages 50-54 held jobs last year.
Gearing our senior communities to the customers of today and the future needs to focus on the customer's needs and desires. Are they active "active adults" who are more empty nesters than retirees who may be less active? Are they semi-retirees desiring a "lock and leave" lifestyle without bundle services such as meals and housekeeping.
I recently toured an active adult community in the Princeton, NJ area. The homes were spectacular but every entry was up a flight of stairs and backyards required another set of stairs. While many of the master bedroom suites were on the first level, some of the homes provided elevators as a standard feature. These homes would certainly have appeal for many but the customer would be the active "active adult".
Interesting pondering.
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