With the first of the baby-boomers hitting retirement age, the percentage of people aged 65 and up is beginning to gradually increase. As of right now, 13% of the population in America is 65 or older, but in 2030, that number will have risen to 18%. Let’s do some quick math; the US population is approximately 310.5 million. 13% of that is 40.3 million; 18% is 55.9 million. There are going to be 15 million more people living at retirement age in less than 20 years. So what does this mean for your retirement home business? 15 million more potential clients is what it means. Okay so that’s an exaggeration if you’re looking at one company, but you can expect that no matter where your business is located, there is going to be a 5% increase in the number of potential residents you have.
So how do you take advantage of the fact that this demographic is reaching its golden years? A good way to start is by appealing to who they are as a group. Studies have shown that baby boomers feel that their standard of living is lower than their parents’ was at the same age, so try emphasizing the comfort and ease they will feel living at your retirement home. Boomers also feel like they were hit very hard by the recession; many of them lost money on investments and say their household finances have gotten worse. Therefore, it may be in your best interest to consider cheaper retirement offers. Looking for these key trends and motivational factors is going to become more and more important in the coming years. Don’t let this crucial opportunity to reach more people than ever before pass you by. Internet marketing for retirement homes isn’t just a fad. There is a fundamental change that has happened in how people find what they are looking for.
(Data from Pew Research Center)