Seniors are preventing loneliness and social isolation by constructing their very own communities with individuals are about their identical age.
Seniors and retirees are transferring in a co-housing neighborhood. Right here, they’re spending their days mountaineering, consuming collectively, and making their small neighborhood a greater place to reside.
Co-housing is a neighborhood of personal properties clustered round shared area. Whereas this concept shouldn’t be new as some condominium items and neighborhoods are designed this fashion, shared areas embody parking, walkways, open area, and gardens. Neighbors additionally share assets like instruments and lawnmowers.
Households have unbiased incomes and personal lives, however neighbors collaboratively plan and handle neighborhood actions and shared areas.
The next are solely a number of the the reason why a number of the lively seniors in Portland selected to reside in PDX Commons.
1] It’s a neighborhood, not a care facility
Residents in a co-housing neighborhood have a typical aim, which is to create a neighborhood the place everybody helps each other.
“We’re individuals who have the flexibility to reside independently who meant to come back collectively to kind a neighborhood,” Steve Fisher, 63, mentioned of the group that ranges in age from 57 to 80. “We made it actually clear: We’re not a care facility.” Fisher and his spouse moved to the co-housing after he retired as a transportation planner.
2] There are personal and shared areas
In co-housing, there are personal and public areas. Whereas the purpose and essence of co-housing are to carry folks collectively. The spirit of coming collectively is inspired by shared areas, common get-togethers, and consensus in decision-making.
Nevertheless, the privateness of people is revered as everybody has their very own unit and there’s no sharing of revenue.
3] There’s a sense of belongingness
One of many advantages of co-housing is the sense of belongingness that every member of the neighborhood feels. Because of the proximity of the housing items and the shared areas, folks typically meet.
“Right here, you stroll in and know each one of many folks and you already know them effectively. You greet them. They’re your folks. You do stuff with them. It’s the alternative of the isolation you typically get within the city areas,” Fisher mentioned.
4] There are a variety of issues to do (and luxuriate in!)
5-mile hikes, yoga courses, and communal dinners are solely a number of the actions which are loved by the neighborhood members. In any case, a co-housing neighborhood options personal properties plus many shared services for socializing, meals, and caring for neighborhood enterprise collectively.
5] (Actually) rising previous collectively
In accordance with PDX Commons web site, the neighborhood homes 39 adults ranging in age from mid-50s to late-70s.
Moderately than transferring to a care facility or residing alone, lively seniors discovered new pals and cast new bonds with whole strangers with a typical aim – to make their lives higher.
Initially printed April 2018.
