Each Del Webb community has an online bulletin board, and local nonprofits and community organizations are invited to post their needs on the "volunteer" tab. Over time, Blake says, they've learned that if they ask for a specific skill set, say "event planners," and offer seniors flexibility so they can continue to work out and enjoy local amenities, they'll get a larger response.
Staying mentally and physically fit "so that the mind and body hit the finish line at the same time," Blake says, is also a key concern. Developers and builders who aren't paying attention to the wide and varied needs of today's boomer population risk building a community no one will want to live in.
Finally, 50 percent to 80 percent of Del Webb community residents continue to work, Blake says, reflecting a widespread concern about financial security. There is a growing concern that many boomers won't have the resources to fully retire and will have to continue to work at least part time.
