Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Co-Ho as nursing home replacement

[R Philip Dowds (rpdowds]

Elderly independence is not a simple Yes or No, black or white.  Speaking as an 
off-the-clock eldercare architect, I can report that this independence is 
measured along multiple spectrums, in degrees and subtleties.  And it changes 
year to year, sometimes month to month.

Independent elderly are those who can still manage a bank account, and shop and 
cook for themselves.  Driving a car helps, but it is not necessarily key.
     At another pole, dependent elderly have lost competence at their basic 
“ADLs”, or Activities of Daily Living, including eating, bathing, toileting, 
dressing, and grooming; this often ties to mobility issues, those of getting 
from room to room (or worse, up and down stairs).  Elderly with ADL problems 
often need either custodial care, or at least 24/7 support services.
     In between are the “frail elderly”:  Shopping and cooking are off the 
menu, stamina is limited, and some ADLs work better than others — but 24/7 
support is not really needed.  The frail elderly, when part of a meal program, 
can have a pretty good day with just some occasional assistance.

Needless to say, some or perhaps now most elderly will go through a long and 
complex decline, where different competencies fade on different schedules.  
Both intergenerational and senior cohousing can play a role in mitigating this 
decline … but only if we all stay realistic about what we’re up against, what 
support interventions are needed, and how many of these interventions can be 
offered by a residential community.

R Philip Dowds
175 Harvey Street, Unit 5
Cambridge, MA 02140

land:     617.354.6094
mobile: 617.460.4549
email:   rpdowds [at] comcast.net <mailto:rpdowds [at] comcast.net>

> On Jun 21, 2015, at 11:59 PM, Joanie Connors <jvcphd [at] gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> Nursing homes require serious medical staff and facilities because they
> care for people who can't care for themselves.
> 
> In my understanding, senior cohousing is limited to folks who are able to
> be independent (not sure of the right terminology).
> 
> You might look into bridge communities, which I think are a project of the
> Methodist Church.
> 
> 
> On Fri, Jun 19, 2015 at 6:24 AM, Rita Bullinger <ritabullinger [at] gmail.com>
> wrote:
> 
>> 
>> Our book club group at Germantown Commons Nashville is reading Being
>> Mortal by Atul Gawande. I'm just wondering if anyone has any stats or
>> anecdotal info on the care of elder co-hos w/in communities as an
>> alternative to nursing homes?
>> Thanks in advance for any help researching this.
>> Rita Bullinger
>> Nashville
>> 
>> Please use this new email account for me: RitaBullinger [at] gmail.com
>> 
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