Research Prospectus

For my research prospectus I will be exploring the up and coming trend of building Eco-friendly or "green" retirement community's. My major is Long-term health care administration with a certificate in Gerontology. I plan to manage and run retirement homes for the nations large baby boomer retirement demographic. With the nations 76 million baby boomers due to start retiring within the next decade or so, the nation will see a huge spike in long-term health care facilities. With my life long interest in the environment I want to run my future facilities in a green manner and I hope that my exploration provides me with a some basic knowledge of how to run a green retirement facility.
I have been working in retirement homes for about five years. I started in the dinning services and I have worked in every department all the way up to administration. Some common trends that I have noticed within retirement committees is that many administrators do not easily except change but with the onset of a relatively new concept of patient care called "patient centered care" the patient is in charge of their own care and living environment. With the the baby boomers being the first generations to be heavily involved in the green movement many future residents will want to live in a community that is eco-friendly.
Maintaining a "green" facility starts with the construction of the facility. This would mean that the facility is built with materials that are considered renewable, and energy efficient. Upon the completion of the green facility, green systems must be installed. Green systems that regulate air quality, laundry equipment, water purification and energy must be included in the facility. These Eco-friendly systems could also cut energy costs.
Lastly, the facility would have to offer green amenities. This includes the barber shop, transportation, and food services. Green facilities can have many health and environmental benefits. I am looking forward to this research, most people have to idea how many older citizens this country will have within the next 15 years. It will heavily impact society. I think it is very important that we create and maintain Eco-friendly facilities.