Many in this generation desire to age in their homes and make their own choices as long as possible.
Living preferences are changing, as are relationship patterns, such as greater numbers of mid- and late-life adults who are single, childless, or live at a distance from adult children. “Senior cohousing communities,” or SCCs, are a form of communal living that integrates common areas and private residences. They promote choice and independence, which are particularly important for the aging baby boom generation.
Shared Values, Shared Lifestyles
Cohousing is a relatively new type of living arrangement. The first modern cohousing community was developed in Denmark in 1972. In the United States, senior cohousing started in the early 2000s. There are now 17 such communities, and 28 are currently in formation or under construction.Cohousing communities bring people together who choose to live cooperatively. Some communities are based upon shared values. Examples are the desire to promote environmental sustainability or a shared spirituality. Common elements include a community vision statement that articulates important principles along with hierarchical governance and decision-making structure.
Residents live in individual homes but share some spaces, such a common building with a kitchen, library, and exercise room. Patios and gardens are positioned in a way to promote interaction. As a result, residents engage in communal meals and other activities.
These new arrangements differ from traditional over-55 residential communities, which are planned and managed by a developer. These places are often large and provide organized activities for those who live there.
Life in a Shared Community
To experience life in the shared living communities, we visited 12 of them in six states and interviewed 76 people during the summer and fall of 2018. The smallest included 10 individual homes, while the largest consisted of 41 condo units. Some communities were in rural areas, while others were in cities.The communities were quite different. Some had individual housing units, while others were condominiums. All had a common house with a kitchen area and spaces for meetings and socializing, and some had elevators to accommodate those who couldn’t manage stairs. Many had a guest room, where visiting family members or prospective residents could stay for a few nights.
Social Engagement
A major reason that people choose to move to a shared housing community is social engagement. This is a critical issue since one in three people over age 45 is lonely. Being part of a community that offers mutual support has a positive impact on health status, connection, and quality of life during later years.The residents we interviewed reported that they enjoy the common activities, such as shared meals, parties, and discussion groups, along with the opportunity for spontaneous interactions. Caring relationships develop among the residents, and many described the support received after major events such as a hospitalization or significant loss, and also for smaller tasks such as a ride to the airport or pet sitting.
We were surprised to find many in these communities are introverts, as several residents had taken personality inventories. One of the women offered an explanation, “For introverts, it’s perfect, because you go in your house and you can be in there as much as you want, but when you come out, you don’t even have to go make friends somewhere.”
Living and Learning
From our time at the shared communities, it was clear that living in shared governance, communal housing arrangements provide opportunities for growth. People described being more patient, open to learning, having vitality, and valuing multiple perspectives. These experiences are consistent with the gerotranscendence theory of aging. This theory suggests that as a person grows older, it is possible to “transcend” or move beyond previous understandings and gain new perspectives on fundamental existential issues, the meaning and importance of relationships, and definitions of self.Like all living arrangements, these communities have their promoters and detractors. But for those who value community and may be interested, current senior cohousers recommend that you don’t hesitate—do your research, and go visit one for a few days.
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