How do the physical and social aspects of housing shape the lives of older adults in senior communities? In her recent research, Nazin Bagherinejad, PhD, explored this question through the lens of Lawton’s Ecological Theory of Aging, which emphasizes the interaction between a person’s abilities and their environment. According to Lawton, older adults thrive when their physical and social environments are in harmony with their functional, emotional, and cognitive capabilities, a concept known as person–environment fit.

To examine how housing models support or hinder this fit, Dr. Bagherinejad conducted a study of two government-subsidized senior housing sites. One was a conventional apartment-style high-rise, and the other was a cohousing-inspired community built with intentional design for social interaction. Both serve similar populations in terms of age, income and need. However, the residents’ experiences, as revealed through interviews, showed profound differences in how their environments affected their social well-being.

Highlights of Dr. Bagherinejad’s study follow below, and a longer summary can be found at here.

Housing models and “environmental press” (pressures)

Environmental press refers to the physical, social, and interpersonal demands an environment place on an individual. The phrase emphasizes the difficult or taxing aspects of a person’s surroundings.

• The conventional model of senior housing features long corridors, isolated unit entries, and poorly designed communal areas. These lead to high environmental pressures (or stress) and feelings of isolation among residents.
• In contrast, the cohousing model embodies lower environmental pressures with clustered units and shared outdoor spaces. These features facilitate spontaneous social interactions and a sense of community.

Adaptive behaviors and social support

• Cohousing environments encourage adaptive behaviors such as social engagement and mutual support. Residents actively participate in community activities like shared dinners and celebrations.
• Conversely, residents in the conventional model often exhibit maladaptive behaviors. They rely on formal services and experience social withdrawal.

Psychological impact of fit

• Residents in the cohousing community report greater perceived control and empowerment. This enhances their sense of dignity and community involvement.
• In the conventional model, feelings of powerlessness lead to maladaptive coping strategies. These erode social well-being and trust in housing providers.

Implications for design and policy

• Effective housing design for seniors should include shared spaces and promote visibility and accessibility to foster community engagement.
• Encouraging resident participation in governance and upkeep of the community can enhance autonomy and emotional security. This ultimately supports healthier aging.

Conclusion

Given the rapid growth of the older adult population and the urgent demand for affordable housing, our buildings must do more than provide shelter. They must also foster thriving, inclusive, and supportive communities. Lawton’s ecological model demonstrates that when the person and environment are in balance, older adults don’t merely cope with aging — they contribute, connect and flourish.

The findings from this study highlight that cohousing-inspired models offer effective solutions for addressing social isolation while enhancing dignity and belonging. They achieve this through their intentional design of shared spaces for visibility and opportunities for engagement. One resident captured this sentiment best: “This place doesn’t just keep me alive. It keeps me part of something.”

As we confront the challenges of an aging society, designing housing that supports community, autonomy, and interdependence may be one of the most impactful interventions we can offer. Cohousing is not only an alternative; it may also represent a critical pathway toward healthy, connected and resilient aging.

Upcoming events

Nov. 2 — Cohousing & Beyond: A Gathering on Collaborative Neighborhoods in Sacramento, CA. Start thinking about it now! A CohoUS regional conference “exploring innovative and people-powered ways to live in community.” Two days of tours before the conference — find out more here.

Nov. 10 — The Commons, a free monthly gathering for the cohousing curious and experts, too; 10 a.m. MST; repeats on the 10^th of each month; register here.

Nov. 20 — Seniors in Cohousing Q&A, an informal facilitated conversation for those who are interested in senior cohousing and/or senior living in intergenerational cohousing; 10 a.m. MST; repeats on the 20^th of each month; register here. Once registered, you’ll receive an email before the meeting with a link to join the call on Zoom.

CohoUS offers many live and on-demand courses on a wide range of topic related to cohousing. Peruse them here.

The Foundation for Intentional Community (FIC) also offers a range of on-demand and rerun online courses. Check them out here

Find out about becoming a CohoUS member here.

See the CohoUs mission and vision statement here.