Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: senior cohousing

[King Collins (greenmac]

>Does any one on the list know of cohousing for seniors, maybe of graduated
>levels of infirmity/ambulation, age spread. I'm thinking of a situation like
>in the movie "Cocoon" :healthy oldsters on the perimeter, less mobile folks
>toward the center. Nice to have a intellectual/spiritual tone too. I have
>heard of a group like this in California run by Quakers but also heard it
>closed down

I don't have any answers but I'm interested in the same question.

Some have suggested that elderly care, which is an expensive proposition
for many families,  could be more humanely handled by a co-housing group.
And it could be a source of employment for some residents. (see posts re.
financial prolbems of members)

>I'm an aging boomer with a partner who has a chronic illness. Together we have
>lost three parents whose last days were pretty rewarding because they lived in
>close knit family communities. We looked at communes in the sixties, but the
>cohousing alternatives sound even better-- nice mix of autonomy and community.
>Just haven't seen any of the flavor were looking for.

I agree. Here is an idea that I have posted in a few places.

___________________________

Thoughts on an Anti-retirement Community
Draft 2: August, l994

For the last 10 years, I have lived with my wife and kids. I am in my
mid-fifties, self-employed most of that time. We haven't put away anything
for "retirement." My wife and I have no financial plans for how to deal
with the coming years. We expect to have about 20 or 30 more productive
working years. What will our life be like? How should we prepare for "old
age?"

The traditional approach presumes a lifetime at regular employment and a
pension plan. We have none of that. My family's chances for a good life in
our later years will depend on something other than a retirement package.

Planning and Sharing with Others.

I think the way to start is to contact the people I would like to share my
life with, or to make a community with. If a certain number of us can agree
on a plan for a "working anti-retirement community" perhaps we can deal
with our later years in a way that is better than any other model.

Pooling Resources

Some of us have substantial resources, inheritances, equity in houses we
own, etc. If we combine our resources, we should be able to create a better
life for ourselves.

Some of us also have tools and skills which can be used to construct
buildings and to establish businesses.

Community Vision

We want a healthy, simple living and working environment based on standards
of self-reliance and sustainability. It is presumed that everyone in the
community will continue to work as long as they are able. The work will
include gardening, construction, health care, and a thousand other
community and self-sustaining activities. In particular we want:

*       attractive living units of varying size designed to accommodate
individuals, families, extended families and community life.

*       fertile ground, water and climate for extensive gardening.

*       buildings and tools for various kinds of work- including money
making activities-for individual and community profit.

*       library and computer facilities with telecommunications links to
the world

*       common spaces for group dining, music, dancing, and theater.

*       preventive health care: well equipped and trained
natural/alternative medical workers

*       recreation: biking, volleyball, swimming, hiking, running,
gymnastics, rope-climbing, bear wrestling, chess, Go, bridge, sewing,
knitting, creative arts, singing...

If these ideas sound relevant to you please drop a line. Here on this
newsgroup, or e-mail:

King Collins,
greenmac [at] pacific.net

___________________