Population growth has had a significant effect on the Cy-Fair area throughout the past decade with a large portion of that growth taking place among residents age 55 and above.

Data from the U.S. Census shows a significant increase in senior residents in the seven ZIP code area that largely makes up Cy-Fair. In 2000, people 55 and above made up a little more than 10 percent of the population. In 2010, they made up around 16 percent.

Because of a combination of factors, ranging from medical advances allowing people to live longer to the number of families settling down in the Cy-Fair area for the long haul, experts project the senior population will continue to grow, which has an effect on housing development and projects catering to the older demographic.

"You're seeing more demand for independent senior living environments, but you're also seeing the next step in the natural progression—more memory care and assisted living projects," said Houston-area Realtor Matthew Keener with the real estate firm CBRE. "At the same time, baby boomers and empty nesters are realizing they don't need the four-bedroom house anymore. They are seeking out smaller communities and patio homes with more mixed-use developments."

Developers, in their efforts to cater to this growing group, are also building more residential communities exclusively for seniors. Government officials are making sure programs are in place to meet their needs as well.

"It's a demographic trend that you're seeing in these bedroom sorts of communities all around Greater Houston," said Mitchell Silver with the American Institute of Certified Planners. "The people that were all a part of that big push to move to these areas are now settling down and growing older. Even if more young people start moving in, the needs of this aging population still need to be met."

Housing trends

The growing senior population has led to several developers opening up new senior communities in the area, with three planned to open in 2014—Villages at Cypress, Avanti at Towne Lake and Fairfield Creek Estates.

In addition to new communities being founded, a trend is emerging among existing facilities to incorporate memory care aspects into what they are already doing. For the developers at Brookdale Senior Living Solutions—which opened Solana at Vintage Park in April 2013—including memory care services was never a question.

"We think the need is only going to get greater as more and more people understand the different types of dementia and memory related conditions that need this type of environment," said Alyssa Hatfield with Solana at Vintage Park.

Hatfield said choosing the location at Vintage Park was based on various trends in what seniors and their families are looking for in senior living facilities. Other senior care facilities, like The Heritage at Towne Lake, which opened in 2009 sought to align with master-planned communities in the area so residents could be closer to their families.

Developers with ongoing senior community projects in the area say the demand is undeniable. More than 800 people have signed up on the waiting list for the future 162-unit Villages at Cypress senior community being built at the corner of Cypress N. Houston and Huffmeister roads. Avanti at Towne Lake, which opens this spring, has seen a flurry of interest as well.

"There hasn't been a lot of development for a few years, and the need is great in the areas we are targeting," Avanti's Chief Operating Officer Lori Alford said. "We haven't even opened yet, and the community has already been welcoming to us."

Senior programs

Government officials within Harris County commissioner offices in Precincts 3 and 4 are also looking for ways to cater to the increasing population of seniors. Both precincts have dedicated staff members to developing senior activities and programs. Precinct 3 runs a Senior Education Program, and Precinct 4 has a Senior Adult Program that offers everything from education, outreach and special events to trips for people 50 and older.

Jan Sexton, director of Precinct 4's Senior Adult Program, said participation in the program has been increased since it was founded. The program underwent an expansion in January to start providing free transportation from the Fairbanks Library in Houston and Barbara Bush Library in Spring to various attractions in Houston, including museums, theater performances and festivals.

"This is something the county recognizes as a priority moving forward," Sexton said. "The trends are clear—people are getting older, but they're still looking for ways to stay involved in the community. If you can keep your senior community healthy, you make the whole community healthy, so we try to find ways to make these programs better and better."

Precinct 3's main mode of outreach for seniors is its Senior Education Program available through education centers, such as the Thomas A. Glazier center on Hwy. 6. The program started only offering computer classes, but has grown to offer classes on 200 different subjects.

"Seniors built this community," said Precinct 3 Commissioner Steve Radack. "They laid the groundwork. They have much left to give and a lot to still offer. We must work to keep their minds and bodies active and engaged."