AbstractsSociology

The Baby Boomer generation presents a care-giving challenge for America, both financially and ideologically. Not only are they a much larger generation than their parents, but a more diverse population with an entirely different set of aspirations and fears about the aging process. Due to these demographic and cultural shifts, many community based models for senior living have emerged in the past decade, which allow seniors to age in place and maintain independence. These models challenge traditional ideas about senior living design and planning, as they abandon communities generated by proximity in favor of ones generated by social processes. Advisors/Committee Members: McInturf, Michael (Committee Chair).