Senior Cohousing
Why Senior Cohousing?
Senior cohousing is growing fast as baby boomers embrace it as a great way to thrive in the next stage of life. Senior cohousing is growing fast as baby boomers embrace it as a great way to thrive in the next stage of life. In these close-knit communities for people 55+, neighbors support each other, share meals, and enjoy common spaces while living in their own smaller homes. This lifestyle improves health, builds strong friendships, reduces costs, and makes life more fun. Like intergenerational cohousing, it also helps address social and environmental challenges.
Learn more at our virtual Seniors in Cohousing Q&A, hosted by the Seniors in Cohousing Committee on the 20th of each month (regardless of the day of the week) at 10 a.m. Mountain Time. Register on this page and come join us!
Senior Cohousing Advantages
Accessibility. Senior projects are designed with accessibility in mind—whether units are in elevator buildings or units on ground level, homes are built with accessibility features seniors may need as they age
Safety. With nearby neighbors who know each other well, the odds of getting help you need it go up dramatically. It’s easy for neighbors to keep an eye out for each other, or even schedule daily check-ins while still respecting privacy. That caring means that if a fall or other injury happens, someone will notice and help.
Social Connection. Recent research suggests loneliness is as damaging to health as tobacco or obesity. As they look for ways to stay socially engaged as they age and may become less able to drive, having common meals and community spaces to gather make a huge difference.
Self Managed Model. Unlike retirement communities which are run by for-profit management companies, cohousing communities are self-managed by members who control decision making and take care of managing the infrastructure. Members do the work themselves and hire outside professionals when needed. They utilize committees to plan community meals, social activities, manage budgets, and oversee maintenance needs. Not having an outside management company and taking on the work themselves saves money and is a means by which members connect with and care for one another.
Mutual Support. Extending support to neighbors is common in cohousing—helping new parents or a neighbor recovering from surgery; giving or getting a ride—are all typical. For seniors, mutual support is essential to aging in place successfully. Senior communities will not replace the potential need for nursing home care or assisted living, but many features make it possible to stay in place longer such as community meals, help with errands, and companionship that eases loneliness. Senior communities initiate conversations about aging and develop mutual support strategies including educational workshops about staying healthy and addressing end of life choices. Physical and emotional support helps enhance members’ later years in a healthy, socially engaged setting.
Learning and Doing. As we phase out of parenting and careers, many of us have time and energy to learn new skills and fuel our intellectual curiosity. Research on the benefits of continued learning as we age is clear. People who keep learning new information, skills and ways to be of service stay healthier in the long run. Some examples:
Want to learn more about our virtual events?
Curious About Senior Cohousing?
Join the Conversation!
Don’t miss the Seniors in Cohousing Q&A—a lively online gathering where you can get your questions answered, connect with like-minded people, and explore how senior cohousing can enhance your life.
We meet on the 20th of every month at 10 a.m. Mountain Time—mark your calendar and register on this page to join us!
Join The Commons
A Must-Attend Virtual Gathering!
Discover the exciting world of cohousing! Whether you’re just exploring or ready to take the next step, The Commons is the perfect place to learn the basics, connect with fellow seekers, and meet members from both forming and established communities.
Join us on the 10th of every month at 10 a.m. Mountain Time for this engaging and inspiring virtual event. Register on this page and be part of the conversation!
We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions or requests, please feel free to reach out to us at SeniorsInCohousing@gmail.com—we’re here to help and happy to connect! 💛
The CohoUS Seniors in Cohousing Committee is an all-volunteer group that aims to help individuals and groups explore the benefits of cohousing for those over 50 by:
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