Cohousing-L Mailing List: "Aging out"

[David Entin (davidhentin]

I wanted to respond to the query of how a community “navigates aging out.”  The 
question presupposes that at a certain age or condition people must leave a 
cohousing community.  One can also live in a cohousing community until one’s 
death.  Our oldest member, age 87, moved in at our beginning 21 years ago, and 
died last month.  He had been an active and important contributing member for 
many years.  Recently he was suffering from vascular dementia and became sick 
and entered hospice care here in our community.  The community responded with 
love and care.  Our Care Committee coordinated meals for the family and support 
for the spouse and sick member.  Many visited with him for the 23 days when he 
was under hospice care.  Most of us went to his green burial service at a local 
cemetery and a very meaningful Memorial Service at his church.  
David Entin, Rocky Hill Cohousing, Northampton, MA