Cohousing-L Mailing List: Invitation to White Gloves Off Conversation Among Seniors in Cohousing on 5/1 from 4-6 EDST

[Susan Green (susan.mx]

>
> I noticed an important conversation taking place on 4/3/22 about
> aging-in-place within multigenerational cohousing communities. Ann Zabaldo
> took the initiative to write a compelling response and invited anyone who
> wanted to help her. I replied immediately because at 72, I wonder about the
> future. My community has been quite responsive and generous to neighbors,
> including me, who have needed different kinds of support. But we, seniors,
> are going to be challenged by inevitable health problems most of us will
> face in the coming years. Then what?  That's why I'm writing this email.
>
> If you missed the original email, I'm copying it so you get the context.
> If you want to join this 90-minute zoom conversation from 4-6 EDST please
> sign up ASAP at the bottom of this message. It's important to us that
> participants understand that we are most interested in creating a safe and
> brave space for seniors who are currently living in CoHousing to talk about
> our experiences.
>
___________________________*BEGIN*_____________________________
Hey Fred! Good morning!

> And out comes the Red Flag!  Apologies in advance to everyone.
>
> Why is it intergenerational vs. senior cohousing?  One is not better than the
> other.  They are just different than each other.
>
>  I was answering Marvin's question about whether cohousing would be a
good fit for a senior who is 83 years old and still healthy.
And, now, borrowing a phrase from my colleague, Katie Henry, I'm going to
throw gasoline on this smoldering fire.

> We, that is, ALL of us are long overdue for a white gloves off serious
> discussion about aging in cohousing.
> Here's the gasoline:
> Ed Sutton's email coupled w/ Marvin?s along w/ an attempt to deepen the
> discussion by Sharon and, lastly, Fred's email expose a fault line in the
> social fabric of cohousing.  You are welcomed to stay as long as you can
> contribute, do the majority of the work in the community for which we are
> eternally grateful because we'd be in very sad shape without you,  but when 
> you
> can't be independent you?re expected to leave.  Gracefully. No fuss.
>
> What's amazing to me is that the seniors themselves believe they should 
> depart.
>  What happened to community. This is personal to me.  I've spent 23 years
> helping to build Takoma Village into the community it is now.  I am not a kid
> person but I have supported the raising of children here.  And now at the ripe
> old age of 72 I am facing a decision of what happens next?
>
> We do not create life long community in cohousing.  We create a temporary
> island that you can visit and stay for awhile but even if it's a long while ?
> you will have to leave.  How is this helpful to evolving a different way of
> living in the world that cohousing promises if in the end,  we just do what 
> the
> rest of the society does?
>
>  I have lots more gasoline to throw on this discussion. Here's a sample:

> Apologies to you, Marvin.  I fear, this is not going to be pretty.  Let me 
> say,
> unknowingly you have done a huge service to cohousing by opening this
> discussion with a simple question of whether cohousing is a good fit for you.
> Is there an intergenerational cohousing community out there for seniors 
> seeking
> to live in cohousing like Marvin?   If so, I am eager to hear about your
> cohousing community, your values and your options for seniors to age in your
> community both those who have aged w/ the community and those who seek to join
> your community.
>
> Of course, this potentially incredible discussion has to come along on the 
> very
> day and week when I'm completely booked end to end w/ meetings and 
> obligations.
>  :-(  I apologize.  I don't have time to write a shorter email.  And I don't
> have time to make pretty?  Sorry, sorry, sorry.
>
> Since I'm the ED of Mid Atlantic Cohousing and I have access to the zoom
> account. I’m inviting all of you, and whomever else you think would be
> interested, to a Zoom meeting on:
>
> Sunday, May 1, 2022 4-6pm:  EDST
>
> Register in advance for this 
> meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctfuiqqzwqGtOwEjkKNOOp5vGBtBM1DneM
>
> After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing 
> information
> about joining the meeting.
>
> White gloves off.  Let's get down and dirty.
>
> PS: anyone want to help me w/ this? Let me know ASAP!
>
> Rock n Roll!
>
> Best --
>
> Ann Zabaldo
> Takoma Village Cohousing
> Washington, DC
>
> ______________________________END____________________________