Cohousing-L Mailing List: Senior's needs? (was Achieving age diversity)

[Andrew Netherton (andrewnetherton]

On 11 Nov 2006 10:22:49 EST, Michael Whitman <Michael.Whitman [at] valley.net> 
wrote:
> I agree that the natural "tendency for children's needs in cohousing to trump
> elder's needs" exists, as any experienced parent will confirm

As a parent of young children, I obviously understand the needs of
children.  What I'm not understanding, however, is how these needs
"trump" those of seniors.  Yes, the kids need a tot lot, a play
structure, and a kid's room in the common house.  These are admittedly
capital-intensive items to include.

So what do seniors need?  ADA-compliant bathrooms and kitchens (I
still have to figure out what the equivalent is here in Canada),
eliminate stairs, add ramps, or elevators (now there's
capital-intensive!)... anything else?  The thing is, I don't see how
any of this is mutually exclusive.  Am I focusing too much on
infrastructure, and missing an intangible that conflicts with
children's needs?

As we're in the VERY early stages of Laurel Creek Commons, I'd like to
make sure that LCC is equally friendly to children and seniors.  If
those with experience (personal or otherwise) can help clue me in to
what it is seniors need, and how children's need trump those needs,
I'd like to work around this at this early stage instead of waiting
until there's a conflict.

Regards,
Andrew Netherton
Laurel Creek Commons (forming)
Waterloo, ON, Canada