Baby Boomers Can Live on College Campuses
A firm is establishing a national network of residential housing for active lifelong learners over age 55 who would like to live on or near a college campus. Online Survey Now Underway … group plans campus residences for people 55+
Boston, MA, January 03, 2006 --(PR.com)-- When you near retirement age, maybe you’d like to live on a college campus? Chances are you never even considered the idea!
“In 20 years, there will be 70 million people over age 65 in the U.S. and traditional retirement lifestyles could be radically different,” says Gerard Badler, head of Campus Continuum based in Newton, Mass. Badler is pioneering the concept of university-branded 55+ active adult communities that are “tightly integrated with their academic hosts.” His emphasis is on ‘active’ meaning residents are ‘young old’ who will add to the vitality of campus life.
A relatively new concept, there are only about 50 such communities across the U.S. But the idea is gaining popularity, says Badler who has spent the past few years cross-crossing the country, presenting the novel lifestyle idea to college administrators and boards from Maine to California.
To determine the level of interest and what colleges may be the best candidates, Badler has developed an online survey asking prospective residents to identify campuses on which they’d like to reside and to indicate preferred amenities (www.campuscontinuum.com). Campus Continuum will use the data it collects to promote the development of communities around the country. To take the survey (no obligation; anonymous if you wish) go to the website and click on ‘Consumer Survey.’
Badler notes several advantages for seniors to live on or near a college campus:
• Exposure to classes, campus life: Research says mental activity may delay dementia
• Opportunity to take courses – close to home at reduced cost
• Brings back fond memories of carefree college days
• Opportunity to serve as teachers or mentors for students
• Access to cultural and sporting events, and often athletic, dining and healthcare facilities
• ‘Intergenerational excitement’ lacking in traditional retirement communities (all seniors)
• An easy ‘commute’ to wide range of campus events, as well as volunteer and paying jobs
Advantages for colleges to attract 55+ residents:
• College receives an equity interest in the project-- plus annual fees
• Residents may sign up for courses, attend cultural and athletic events
• Broadens school’s educational mission as an intergenerational environment
• Opens up new employment and networking opportunities for students, faculty, senior mentors
• No significant financial outlay by the college
• Build a solid core of potential annual donors and major gifts/endowment donors
Badler’s Campus Continuum is close to signing its first deal. “We’ll be breaking new ground in more ways than one,” he says.
(Contact: Web: www.CampusContinuum.com; Email: gbadler@campuscontinuum.com; Write: Campus Continuum LLC, 17 Cushing St., Newton, Mass. 02461).
-- By Stanley Hurwitz
stanhurw@comcast.net
Contact: Gerard Badler 617-964-2422
gbadler@campuscontinuum.com
web: campuscontinuum.com
###
“In 20 years, there will be 70 million people over age 65 in the U.S. and traditional retirement lifestyles could be radically different,” says Gerard Badler, head of Campus Continuum based in Newton, Mass. Badler is pioneering the concept of university-branded 55+ active adult communities that are “tightly integrated with their academic hosts.” His emphasis is on ‘active’ meaning residents are ‘young old’ who will add to the vitality of campus life.
A relatively new concept, there are only about 50 such communities across the U.S. But the idea is gaining popularity, says Badler who has spent the past few years cross-crossing the country, presenting the novel lifestyle idea to college administrators and boards from Maine to California.
To determine the level of interest and what colleges may be the best candidates, Badler has developed an online survey asking prospective residents to identify campuses on which they’d like to reside and to indicate preferred amenities (www.campuscontinuum.com). Campus Continuum will use the data it collects to promote the development of communities around the country. To take the survey (no obligation; anonymous if you wish) go to the website and click on ‘Consumer Survey.’
Badler notes several advantages for seniors to live on or near a college campus:
• Exposure to classes, campus life: Research says mental activity may delay dementia
• Opportunity to take courses – close to home at reduced cost
• Brings back fond memories of carefree college days
• Opportunity to serve as teachers or mentors for students
• Access to cultural and sporting events, and often athletic, dining and healthcare facilities
• ‘Intergenerational excitement’ lacking in traditional retirement communities (all seniors)
• An easy ‘commute’ to wide range of campus events, as well as volunteer and paying jobs
Advantages for colleges to attract 55+ residents:
• College receives an equity interest in the project-- plus annual fees
• Residents may sign up for courses, attend cultural and athletic events
• Broadens school’s educational mission as an intergenerational environment
• Opens up new employment and networking opportunities for students, faculty, senior mentors
• No significant financial outlay by the college
• Build a solid core of potential annual donors and major gifts/endowment donors
Badler’s Campus Continuum is close to signing its first deal. “We’ll be breaking new ground in more ways than one,” he says.
(Contact: Web: www.CampusContinuum.com; Email: gbadler@campuscontinuum.com; Write: Campus Continuum LLC, 17 Cushing St., Newton, Mass. 02461).
-- By Stanley Hurwitz
stanhurw@comcast.net
Contact: Gerard Badler 617-964-2422
gbadler@campuscontinuum.com
web: campuscontinuum.com
###
Contact
Campus Continuum
Stan Hurwitz
617-964-2422
www.campuscontinuum.com
stanhurw@comcast.net
Stan Hurwitz
617-964-2422
www.campuscontinuum.com
stanhurw@comcast.net
Contact