Cohousing-L Mailing List: Deep Aging (TM); And a Totally Different Subject

[Ann Zabaldo (zabaldo]

Hello all —

I have become increasingly interested in the stage of aging between “active, 
healthy living” and death.  This is the stage in which members may need 
assistance with activities of daily living or ADLs — bathing, feeding, 
dressing, etc.  The promise of cohousing — especially senior cohousing — is 
that through forming strong social bonds we could through close collaboration 
allow members to stay in cohousing over the course of their lifetimes.  Some 
exceptions of course, for example, for those w/ dementia who may be aggressive. 
 

This stage finally has a name other than “old-old.”  The term “Deep Aging” (TM) 
has been coined by gerontology graduate student Nancy Francis at UNC-Wilmington 
to describe not only the physical changes but the powerful spiritual deepening 
of aging.  Mid Atlantic Cohousing has published her first essay on Deep Aging 
(TM) on its blog.  

http://www.midatlanticcohousing.org/cohousing-blog

It’s the first item on this week’s blog posting.  (You don’t have to sign up to 
read the blog!)

The interest I have in Deep Aging (TM) has been spurred by the questions I have 
around cohousing’s ability to have folks who are not “healthy, active adults” 
live at home.  This includes people w/ disabilities, people who become 
disabled, — anyone needing long term, chronic care.  

Is the promise of cohousing “live with us until you need long term help” or is 
it the promise of “let’s figure out how we can deal with chronic care?”

If it’s the former, how does then how does cohousing distinguish itself from 
all other healthy, active living communities?

If it’s the latter, what kinds of activities are coho communities engaged in to 
deal with Deep Aging (TM)?  I know that Eastern Village in Silver Spring, MD 
has begun an inquiry into aging through The Sages, an affinity group of 55+ 
folks living at EVC.  

Have you read that very fine blog post “Aging Gracefully”  by Rick Entin and 
another one by Jenny of Cohousing Solutions “Aging Gratefully” - both on 
cohousing.org/blog December 8 and 17 respectively.  Rick will be giving a 
presentation at the upcoming Aging Better Together Conference in SLC, UT, May 
20-21.  

Are there other coho communities out there looking at Deep Aging (TM) issues?  
Can you share with us what you are doing?


———-

And now for a totally different subject — 

If you’ve been a member of this list for more than 24 hours you have already 
met Sharon Villines.  She is a prolific contributor to this list.  BUT did you 
know that she is an equally good cook?  And that she has one of the all time 
miracle recipes for cooking turkey?  Quantity cooking made ultra simple.  It’s 
so simple you can use the recipe for cooking turkey anytime — not just holidays!

Her recipe is posted for turkey and Next-Day Turkey soup can be found at:

http://www.midatlanticcohousing.org/cohousing-blog

Just scroll down below “Deep Aging” (TM) and “Announcements”.

You can download ALL the quantity cooking recipes including Sharon’s turkey and 
turkey soup recipes at:

http://www.midatlanticcohousing.org/fun-stuff.html

Scroll all the way to the bottom and click on  “Download Recipes — in WORD 
document.”  All recipes included!


Best --

Ann Zabaldo
Takoma Village Cohousing
Washington, DC
Principal, Cohousing Collaborative, LLC
Falls Church, VA
703.688.2646