Q: What are the benefits of "Aging in Community"?

A: Those involved in creating communities, are usually younger in age, rarely in their “sunset years.” When the oldest of the members begin to experience the physical difficulties that await us, it is usually discovered that the community was not “designed” to accommodate this process. Accessibility is only one of the issues. The need for care is another issue that can be addressed by design.  In my next cohousing design, I will be including “caregivers” homes, which will allow a few older members to share “caregivers.”

There are other considerations in intergenerational communities such as the relationship between elders and the young. While many elders will see their elderhood as an opportunity to share their wisdom with the young, some will become more fragile and contained. Some of these elders will desire some separation from the joyful squealing of the young. A community that is designed for “aging-in-place” will allow young families to grow their children in community, to eventually become  “empty nesters,” deciding to downsize to a smaller home in the community and then eventually they might need the help of caregivers.

Q: I wonder how does one get one of these eco-homes. Maybe they will be common in ten or more years, but now I only see them in magazines. I live in Ottawa, but think I would move within reason to get this kind of home and community planning where things are accessible without having to drive all the time. Oh, and of course, at a reasonable price. Can you give me some pointers, insights, references?

A: (Kelly) Most often if one wants a well-designed green home, he will need to find a good place to build it, and certainly it makes sense for that place to be within an easy walk to a community where most of your needs can be found. Our auto-dependent society has created many problems, which people are finally realizing with the advent of global warming and peak oil. One thing that you might consider in seeking the sort of community that you describe is to research eco-villages, intentional communities or co-housing projects. There is more information about these at here. Happy living.

C: I just learned about this proposed cohousing project near Badger, California that might interest you: http://earthpodhomes.com/index.html

A: It looks like a nice vision for a small community. The homes look like they will be quite attractive.
It is not a cohousing concept however, since the lots are 1 acre each and there is no common house.
The 1 acre lots diminish the community interaction as does the direct relationship between the parking and the homes. Cohousing depends on a higher density such as a minimum of 6 units/acre. In addition, cohousing has a difficult time working with under 10 to 12 units. The ideal minimum size is about 14 units.