SRES key terms

A person born roughly between 1946 and 1964; this large generation reshaped housing demand and now makes up a big share of senior clients.

Prejudice or stereotyping based on age; it can lead an agent to make false assumptions about a client's abilities, goals, or willingness to try new things.

A household whose children have moved out, often prompting owners to rethink how much space they need and whether to move.

Adults caring for aging parents while still supporting their own children, a squeeze that can shape choices about housing size, location, and money.

A family member or friend who provides unpaid help with daily tasks; their abilities and limits often determine where a senior can realistically live.

A lack of meaningful contact with other people, a risk after retirement or a move that can harm health and should be weighed in housing advice.

Remaining in one's current home as one grows older, usually with home modifications, in-home help, and transportation arranged so it stays safe.

Designing a home so it works for people of all ages and abilities without special adaptation, using features like wide doorways and lever handles.

Choosing a home that fits present and likely future needs rather than just a smaller one; may mean less space, less upkeep, or a better location.

A life change such as a health crisis, the death of a spouse, or retirement that pushes a household to consider moving sooner than planned.

The point when a person stops or cuts back on paid work, changing income, daily routines, and sometimes the decision about where to live.

Sorting through and removing belongings before a move or sale; it is often emotionally draining and works best started long before a deadline.

A home shared by two or more adult generations; it can pool money and provide care but needs enough space and privacy to work.

A neighborhood or building not designed for seniors that nonetheless has many older residents, often supported by coordinated services and volunteers.

A campus offering independent living, assisted living, and nursing care, with a contract that lets residents move between levels as needs change.

A large upfront payment some life plan communities require, often partly refundable, in exchange for lifetime access to higher levels of care.

Housing for older adults who need little or no daily help, typically with meals, activities, and maintenance included in the rent.

Housing that provides help with daily activities such as bathing and medication, plus meals and supervision, while residents keep some independence.

A secured setting with specially trained staff for people with dementia who may wander, offering structured routines, supervision, and safety features.

A licensed residence providing round-the-clock medical and rehabilitative care for people whose needs cannot be safely met at home or in assisted living.

Basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and moving from bed to chair; trouble with them often decides care level and insurance eligibility.

Tasks needed to live independently, such as cooking, shopping, managing money, and driving; declines often signal that support at home is needed.

A federal program that funds subsidized rental housing for low-income older adults, often paired with supportive services; waiting lists can be long.

Housing limited to households with at least one member age 55 or older; communities must meet federal rules to keep that status.

A membership group of older adults who stay in their own homes and pay dues for vetted services, rides, and social events.

The value of a home minus what is still owed on it; it can be borrowed against, turned into income, or passed to heirs.

A federally insured reverse mortgage that lets homeowners 62 and older borrow against equity without monthly payments; the loan is repaid when they move out or die.

A legal arrangement giving one person the right to live in a property for life while another person holds the remaining interest.

A document authorizing someone to act for another person, on finances or health care, while that person is still able to choose.

A court-ordered arrangement appointing someone to make decisions for a person judged unable to do so; it removes rights and is a last resort.

A trust holding assets during life and directing their transfer after death, often avoiding probate and letting a successor trustee take over if needed.

The court process of validating a will and settling an estate; it can be slow, public, and costly, so clients sometimes plan to avoid it.

A tax rule that resets the value of inherited property to its date-of-death value, reducing capital gains for heirs who later sell.

A tax rule letting a qualifying homeowner exclude up to $250,000 of gain on a home sale, or $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly.

A state or local property tax break for a primary residence, often with extra relief for owners above a certain age.

A form of shared property ownership in which a deceased owner's share passes automatically to the surviving owners, avoiding probate.

A policy that pays part of the cost of home care or facility care when someone needs help with daily activities for an extended period.

Using up income and assets to meet the low limits for Medicaid nursing home coverage; transfer and look-back rules are strict.

Extra Social Security benefits earned by waiting past full retirement age to claim, raising the monthly amount for the rest of one's life.

Illegal or improper use of an older person's money or property by someone trusted, a risk agents should learn to spot and report.