Baby boomers are the generation that reshaped American culture, consumerism, the workplace and retirement and senior living is next.
Nearly one in five Jefferson County residents is 65 or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and Jefferson County’s population ages 65 to 100 was projected to grow 25 percent between 2022 and 2030, according to the county’s 2024 Housing Needs Assessment.
Colorado’s older adults are among the nation’s most active. According to America’s Health Rankings, 36.7 percent of Coloradans 65 and older met federal physical activity guidelines in 2023, the highest rate in the nation. Social connection remains important as well. An AARP survey conducted in 2025 found 95 percent of adults consider friendships essential to a happy and healthy life, up from 90 percent in 2019.
This population is growing not only in size, but in expectations for maintaining active lifestyles that prioritize exercise, recreation and social outlets.
Aging in place traditionally means living in the same home and community over the years. According to AARP’s latest national survey, 75 percent of adults 50 and older want to remain in their homes as they age and 73 percent want to remain in their communities. However, 44 percent expect they eventually will have to move.
Senior living communities including Amira Choice Arvada at 6260 McIntyre St. are accommodating aging in place in a new way by offering seniors more options so they do not need to move units. Amira Choice is fully licensed for care, which means that residents can move in while fully independent and can receive additional assistance and services in the same unit as their care needs change, according to Director of Sales and Outreach, Michelle Newitt. Amira Choice also allows couples who have different levels of care needs to live together in one unit.
For residents who require more support, Amira Choice offers enhanced care services including wound care, diabetes management, feeding assistance and mechanical lifts.
Additional amenities that were once considered luxuries at senior living facilities, if they were offered at all, are increasingly becoming staples. Amira Choice offers executive chef-prepared meals that accommodate varying dietary needs including gluten free, sugar free and low sodium, among others. The units are pet-friendly and the community offers housekeeping, laundry services, transportation and access to physical, occupational and speech therapy, visiting physician groups and mobile dental care.
Residents are now looking for robust activity programming, technology, movement-related activities and outdoor spaces including walking paths and trails, Newitt said.
Earlier this year Amira Choice added another offering to the list: wedding venue. The community planned and hosted a wedding for two residents surrounded by family, friends, fellow residents and staff.
The wedding is a vivid example that baby boomers are not slowing down anytime soon and neither are retirement communities. This is a generation growing older with independence, choice and style.
