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Savvy Senior
A friend of mine was telling me about a housing option for seniors called co-housing, but I’ve never heard of it. What can you tell me about this? Home Hunter Dear Hunter, It’s called elder co-housing, a new housing concept that that offers older adults, age 55 and above, the opportunity to live interdependently and within a close-knit group of neighbors. Here’s what you should know. Co-housing Originating in Denmark, the concept of co-housing was first introduced in the United States (to people of all ages) about 15 years ago. Co-housing is a small, planned housing community that offers its residents, an old-fashioned sense of neighborhood. In co-housing, residents can get to know their neighbors well, which helps build a strong sense of community that is usually absent in today’s cities and suburbs. Co-housing communities are designed and managed by their residents. The homes are usually individually owned, totally self-sufficient, varying in size and costs. To promote interaction, co-housing communities typically cluster their homes around a pedestrian walkway or courtyard. Communities also have shared amenities such as a community building or common house where residents gather several times a week for optional group meals and social activities. Many co-housing developments may also offer common workshops, craft rooms, storage sheds, gardens, fitness facilities and more. There are currently 80 multi-generational co-housing communities throughout the U.S. with around 80 more under planning or construction phase. To learn more, contact the Co-housing Association of the United States at www.cohousing.org or call 314-754-5828. Elders Only Similar to mutigenerational co-housing is elder cohousing, a new option that’s sparking an interest in many of today’s aging baby boomers. Elder co-housing communities have the same concepts and elements as their multi-generational counterparts except they’re only for older adults, 55-plus. Elder cohousing also provides additional design features in the homes and common facilities that make aging in place easier and safer for their residents, such as: single story houses, step-free entrances, wider doorways for wheel chair access, lever handles that are easier to grip, grab bars, low-glare lighting, and extra housing for caregivers to live in when the need arises. To learn more, contact the Elder Cohousing Network at www.eldercohousing.org or call 303-413-8066.
Things to Know
For those interested in elder or multi-generational cohousing here are some additional details to know: * Size: Most cohousing communities in the U.S. are between 15 and 35 households. * Privacy: Cohousing provides residents a balance of personal privacy and community. You choose how much you participate. * Costs: Homes in co-housing communities usually cost a little more than the market rate because not only are you paying for your home and the land it’s built on, you’re also paying your portion of the shared common land and facilities. * Management: Residents manage the community and decisions are made as a community. * Safety: Knowing the neighbors are keeping an eye out for each other is a big factor for many considering this option. * Like minded: Many people are attracted to cohousing because they want to live around people who share their common interest and beliefs. Be sure you choose one that fits you. * Lower income: Depending on the cohousing community, some may offer government-aided affordable housing for lower income residents. * Selling: In most cases, anyone leaving a cohousing community can legally sell their property to anyone they choose.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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