Date of Award

May 2015

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Architecture

Department

Architecture

First Advisor

Harvey Rabinowitz

Committee Members

James Piwoni, Edward JJ Olson, Dr. Sarah Morgan

Keywords

2030, Age in Place, Baby Boomer, Future Older Adults, Geriatric Policy, Technology

Abstract

This thesis analyzes critical issues affecting the older adult population of the United States in the year 2030 and recommends policies needed to remedy them. In the first chapter, the thesis addresses the upcoming aging crisis of the baby boomer population, both in numbers and affordability. The second chapter further describes and analyzes the major problems affecting the baby boomer population. The third chapter examines how technology can provide a universal and friendly design for older adult users. Chapters four through seven illustrate four distinctive case studies of Baby Boomers living in the

year 2030. The case studies provide resolutions to the issues presented in chapter two. The eighth chapter recommends an integrated set of policies dealing with technology, health care, and home care, which are emphasized in the case studies. In conclusion, the thesis argues for policy changes that should begin to be crafted today in order to be implemented and to achieve the future scenarios depicted in the case studies.

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