Category: Uncategorized


Preventing and undoing internalized ageism in cohousing

Hot on the heels of great aging-in-community conversations, sessions and connections at lastmonth’s National Cohousing Conference in Denver, I recently had the opportunity to participatein “Summer School,” an in-person summit in Montreal. It was called together by This ChairRocks author Ashton Applewhite and her co-creators of the Old School [https://oldschool.info/]anti-ageism resource cent

National Cohousing Conference Coming Right Up 

The anticipation has been building, and we’re now just a month away from Coho US’s 2024 National Cohousing Conference, “Rooted in Belonging.” This year’s conference takes place in Denver, CO, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. The main conference is the weekend of Aug. 2–4, with pre-conference intensives and tours starting Thursday, Aug. 1.... Read More

‘Round and ‘Round

One of the challenges of making community living work is being able to truly listen to one another and to express one’s own voice. Quimper Village, a senior cohousing community in Port Townsend, WA, uses a sociocracy-based technique called rounds. Think of going around a circle with everyone saying what they think or feel, one... Read More

Tour senior communities May 4–5!

Every spring CohoUS sponsors a cohousing open house weekend when many communities around the country open their doors to the curious. This year the dates are May 4–5, coming right up. For many communities, this may be the first time they’ve held an in-person open house since before the pandemic. Some are offering virtual open... Read More

Heartwood Cohousing: New Construction in an Established Community

Heartwood Cohousing is nestled in the San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado. We’re an established community of 24 homes (move in was in 2000). In general, homes are hard to come by at Heartwood, but we’re adding a long-planned-for “Phase 2” with 14 new homes in 2025. This is a unique opportunity to get the... Read More

Mutual Support in Senior Cohousing

The issue inevitably comes up — how, when and to what extent do we help our neighbors? People move into cohousing in a spirit of togetherness, camaraderie and caring for one another. But what exactly does that mean? Doing a favor for a neighbor? Helping them out with meals or chores when they are ill... Read More

Community Spotlight: Heartwood Commons

Last month we introduced Heartwood Commons in Tulsa, OK, a new 55+ cohousing community that will be ready for move-in early this year. The great news is that they still have a few homes left for sale! We mentioned that one of the advantages of joining an existing community is that you don’t need to... Read More

Is a Facilitation Course Right for Me?

Taking a facilitation course, or any community process course, is a great gift to your community and to yourself. The skills gained can dramatically improve the experience of living in community, reducing frustration and increasing the sense of trust and connection. Thus, I consider that a facilitation course is a great idea for any communitarian.... Read More

A new community on the cusp of completion

Construction of Heartwood Commons in Tulsa, OK, the newest 55+ cohousing community to be built in the nation, is almost done, and members expect to move in early this year. The great news is that they still have a few homes left for sale! One of the advantages of joining an existing community is that... Read More

Helping our neighbors

  How should cohousing residents help each other as they get older or suffer age-related injuries and illnesses? This is a hot topic in senior cohousing circles, sometimes referred to as “co-caring.” The guidelines for such assistance vary by community and may be based on a written agreement or offered informally. PDX Commons in Portland,... Read More