Accessibility

Fred Lanphear

This is an interactive workshop that looks at how communities can intentionally embrace and celebrate the second half of life. It focuses on acknowledging and creatively preparing and caring for the inevitable aging process that happens to us all. It will include: 1) Celebrating the transitions of aging and providing significant roles of engagement, 2) Exploring ways and the extent to which communities can provide care for aging members, 3) Preparing for and participation in final transitions. Some specific topics include realities and fears of getting older, co-care and outside care, and staying healthy through community.

Raines Cohen, facilitator, Susan McWhinney-Morse (panel members TBD)

While we’re debating whether creating aging-friendly communities involves adapting various models like senior cohousing or creating aging-friendly neighborhoods, community groups are moving forward with initiatives to make existing neighborhoods more like cohousing and more supportive of aging-in place, without people having to leave their existing homes. We'll hear from a leader from Beacon Hill Village, the Boston-based model for the movement, a local architect/developer of senior-friendly cohousing, as well as stories about how intergenerational cohousing can support the aging process. We will continue the discussion about how we can support and learn from each other in this growing movement.

Charles Durrett

Traditional forms of housing no longer address the needs of many older Americans. Nor are baby-boomers going to accept what our parents had. Most of the current options for “retirement living” are inadequate, both socially and healthwise. Cohousing opens up new alternatives for seniors to take control of the inevitable, to live as independently as possible, as long as possible. Cohousing offers aging adults a way to live among people with whom they share a common bond of age and experience—an entirely new way to house themselves with dignity, independence, safety, mutual concern, and fun.