Cornerstone -2b-
The Senior Cohousing Project
(Alternative Housing for the Seniors) (draft 05/12/2010)
What do we do with the old folks? There seems a tendency in modern society for many younger people to regard the elderly sector as a problem and a liability.
Hence Retirement/Residential/Care/Sheltered Homes have been set up as an answer. If one talks with people housed like this, although they might put on a brave face about it, usually they are not happy, feeling in decline; no longer valued. One has to ask whether there might be a better solution.
Most people, as they approach retirement age are still quite active, with many years ahead of them during which they can be of considerable benefit to their community. Indeed, they have hopefully gained enough wisdom to help guide the younger generation. Modern society seems to have forgotten this.
An intention of our project is to commit to and facilitate care ‘from Cradle to Grave’: with strong emphasis on respect for – and inclusion to the last – of the elders. It is important to bring back the multi-generation living approach to our lives.
Maryse realised that gradually the concept of three generations living under one roof has been dying out. Compartmentalisation of the generations can actually be the factor which brings society out of balance. To bring the different generations together in Culdees’ Village-Community-style, where the people look after one another as a matter of course can be achieved by blending the houses of three/four generations.
To provide housing for those active elders who may wish to live just round-the-corner from the youngsters, or who may feel they might become a burden continuing to live with their children, or simply want a quieter environment, an interesting concept which was started and is flourishing in Denmark since the 1980's, and which is gaining interest and momentum in other countries, is that of Senior Cohousing developments. A key feature of such developments is the provision of individual private homes, surrounding a shared open space with a large common house where people can come and go, socialise, share meals together, engage in group discussions and other activities, but at the same time everyone has personal choice as to when they need time to themselves, or wish to join in with others. The common house would typically also have laundry facilities, activity room, provision for craft-work, as well as guest rooms.
A Senior Cohousing development provides an alternative to what has become conventional residential care for the elderly in this country and elsewhere, and the residents, rather than being dependent, become mutually supportive. Everyone can have their own privacy, but at the same time know there are friends nearby if they need them, and if someone develops a need for more intensive care, because as part of the plan for the Culdees eco-village, there will be a professional carer or nurse or doctor, as appropriate, who can attend to their needs. If need be temporary use can be made of a guest room for visitors.
The Senior Cohousing development is seen as being a complementary component of the multi-generational Cohousing project at Culdees. Cohousing residents are typically pro-active in creating viable, friendly, neighbourhoods in which residents cooperate and socialise, and in creating a village, there is room for all trades and professions.
The most successful Senior Cohousing initiatives have begun with a group of interested participants who have met and carefully planned the details of their development, and with professional input as appropriate, brought a plan to fruition themselves. A proven strategy, developed in 1995 by Henry Nielsen, embraces five stages, beginning with a feasibility phase, then an information phase, followed by three study group phases. Groups who have followed this model have invariably enjoyed successful results, unlike projects where a developer has designed and constructed buildings without consulting the people who would occupy them.
The implementation of Senior Cohousing developments seems to be the way forward to ensure people can be allowed to age gracefully while enjoying their later years, with the knowledge they are not going to become a burden on anyone, nor have fear of being institutionalised.
Another reason for considering an alternative way of living was the realisation that if Maryse herself was to go into a Retirement/ Residential/Care home, she would stick out like a sore thumb. It is likely that the staff, the other residents and herself would all be very unhappy due to her personal choices. Being a vegetarian / vegan, having an ‘other-than-generally-accepted’ relationship with the concept of God, being a Mystic, including Eastern Philosophy and Sufism, practising Meditation/Yoga/Tai-Chi, using alternative Medical Practices, etc. does not, at present, usually generate endearment with the general public. She therefore decided to encourage creating the senior co-housing aspect , as a complementary component of the overall vision of the Culdees eco-village project, which also includes the multi-generational aspect.
There are many people who, like Maryse, follow an alternative lifestyle and who are now nearing ‘the evening of their life’. They have similar doubts about successfully blending in with other residents in a conventional residential home. So it is essential to start brainstorming on how to implement the senior cohousing alternative.
We now wish to attract people who would like to participate in a Senior Cohousing project and who could engage with us in discussions which hopefully will result in the formation of a group which will push the project to completion.
Proposed selection requirements:
To have an awareness of: (in no particular order)
· the need to be actively involved in changing the way we deal with our environment
· environmental sustainability, ecological footprint,
Ecological Debt Day or Earth Overshoot Day and Transition Town
are every-day terms for you.
· ecology; growing food organically.
· recycle, reclaim, re-use: working towards Zero Waste, Zero Energy
· working towards self-sustainability
· being a role model; willingness to set an example, to teach
· the need to set a ceiling on desires
· the necessity to share: car, equipment, tools
· keeping responsibility of your own life firmly in your own hands
· we live in the campus of 'The University of Life' and are willing to
learn new things; take on a study, learn new skills, new hobbies
· live preventively: stay active in mind, body and soul: eat healthily, walk, swim, dance, go to theatre, concert, opera, ballet,
take cultural trips
· be open to the use of alternative therapies and natural medicines
· respect for other people's requirements
· to partake actively in the initial stages of setting up the co-housing project and later in the maintaining and running of the project.
· the willingness to care for one another -to an agreed extent- and
help make it possible that one can stay in one's own home
untill the end of one's life.
· we are a multi-faith project, the spiritual aspect of each faith
is respected; no one-religion has priority over any other.
Maryse would welcome any further thoughts on this.
Recommended reading:
“The Senior Cohousing Handbook: A Community Approach to Independent Living”
By Charles Durrett Second edition 2009 New Society Publishers ISBN 978-0-86571-611-7
“Senior Cohousing: A Community Approach to Independent Living – The Handbook”
By Charles Durrett Published 2005 Habitat Press ISBN 0-945929-30-7
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