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Raise a hand if you’ve been told retirement is a lonely and dreadful time ahead. Well, you’re not alone. Around 57% of Americans dread retirement because they feel unprepared, be it for savings, housing, or holding onto their social life. For senior social butterflies – we have a solution to your housing predicament and need to socialize. It’s *cue drumroll* – senior cohousing!
While “senior living” and “cohousing for seniors” are used interchangeably, both are different. So, your first question could be:
What Is co-housing for seniors?
Think of bees who are like-minded, work together with shared responsibilities, and live together intentionally with shared values and specific common resources. That’s senior communal Living, or cohousing, in a nutshell.
Senior cohousing’s theme is community and teamwork among the baby boomers. You can have private units and independence but share common areas such as kitchens, dining rooms, and recreational spots. This setup seems excellent for those in good health and wishing to live with similar-aged people of mutual philosophy. This particular style of Living is widespread – in 2024, more than 300 communities will be in the US. Now, let’s address your second question:
These are the fundamental differences between cohousing and senior living options:
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Senior Cohousing |
Senior Living |
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Who’s it for |
Best for active boomers who value communities and shared responsibilities |
Designed for older adults who need a wide range of services catering to their independence to support with activities of daily Living (ADLs). |
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Availability |
Rising in popularity. |
It is more widely available, with several options. |
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Age restrictions |
Residents usually have to be aged 50 plus. |
Age restrictions strongly apply to residents 55 or older. |
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Costing (per month) |
$1,800 – $4,500 |
$2,500 – $5,500 |
Here is the comparison when it comes to living arrangements, privacy, and other things:
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Senior Cohousing |
Senior Living |
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Sub-varieties |
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Neighborhood/Community |
Residents share tasks, regularly socialize, and have shared living spaces. |
Private rooms/apartment complexes with limited shared spaces. |
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Privacy |
The balance between social engagement and confidentiality. |
Privacy is prioritized more, and social engagement depends on the resident’s wishes. |
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Care and support |
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To learn more about senior living, check out:
Is senior cohousing different from 55+ community?
Yes! Senior cohousing embodies the “all for one, one for all” spirit regarding community decisions, teamwork, and shared living arrangements. Depending on the rules, some of your younger family members can live with you.
In contrast, 55+ communities have strict boomers of the age and over. They are like senior Living, leaning towards individualistic preference and less social engagement.
This article might be interesting:
Pros and Cons of senior cohousing
To see if communal living for seniors suits you, here are:
5 Reasons Why Seniors Choose Cohousing
- Cost Effective: One of the best parts about communal living arrangements is that they can be relatively cost-effective. Cohousing communities for seniors use shared resources that cut down on extra living expenses, making them a better and more affordable solution to other alternatives.
- A Sense of Neighborhood:Seniors living together in a community amongst non-family members can benefit from a sense of neighborhood. Intentional communities for seniors can be highly interactive and provide a range of diverse neighbors with whom to exchange time. Such a neighborhood setting can also lead to acceptance among like-minded peers.
- Extra Resources and Facilities : All senior cohousing communities have functional interiors and common areas with conveniently available facilities. The cost is shared among the neighbors.
- Social Interaction:Undoubtedly, the main perk of intentional communities for seniors is social interaction. At that age, when they are deemed seniors, living in a neighborhood catering to their needs can bring out the best in them. A common ground for seniors to talk about makes all the difference in their social interactions, which can be lively and mutual.
- Sustainable, Secure and Healthy Atmosphere:Every cohousing community is sustainable, meaning environmentally friendly, for seniors to ensure their mental and physical well-being. These intentional atmospheres also ensure security as an important facility.
Being among people in cohousing might not make your heart flutter joyfully, and that’s okay. Here are:
4 Reasons why senior cohousing might not be for you
- Less privacy: Being in a community and moving as one can equate to less privacy, as one uses shared spaces and frequently interacts with fellow residents. This lifestyle may be better for those looking forward to a lot of quiet time in retirement.
- Challenges in decision-making: If you’re a lone wolf, including the community in decisions about living arrangements and other things can be a buzzkill.
- Initial investment: Depositing a large sum of money before joining such a community could cause you to rethink your residential plans.
- Limited access to medical care: Cohousing is meant for active and healthy boomers, so access to healthcare will be costly or inconvenient.
How to find senior cohousing near me
Here are some ways to find your nearest senior cohousing:
- Visit our website or call us for a free consultation.
- Rev up your search engine and do online research.
- Contact local agencies, community services, etc., in your neighborhood.
- Visit community fairs or ask at local senior care centers/aging services.
- The Cohousing Association of the United States can also help you find a senior cohousing community in your area.
Top 3 Points
- Cohousing is where people live in separate units but have spaces for everyone to meet.
- Senior cohousing is getting more popular among Americans above 55 years old.
- Some reasons seniors choose cohousing as a senior living option include cost-effectiveness and increased social engagement.
Have a look at some of the related articles:
Final Thoughts
They say it takes a village to raise a child, and for most seniors, it takes a village for them to continue to thrive. Senior cohousing is for boomers who echo this sentiment. This living arrangement may not be for everyone, but with the proper savings and good health, this way of Living will lead to a sustainable life with a sense of family and like-minded people.
By being aware of this living arrangement and senior living options based on your needs, you can make the best decision for your future.
FAQs
What are the pros and cons of co-housing?
One of the pros of cohousing is that it’s a good option if you want to downsize and shift to smaller units. Also, if your fellow residents share your passion for hobbies such as hiking, gardening, and so on, it’s another bonus!
A notable con of cohousing is that it can require much work to maintain the community.
Read these relevant articles:
What is the difference between co-living and co-housing?
Cohousing is a type of community in which individuals live collectively in one or more houses, usually sharing common areas such as a kitchen, living room, and gardens.
In contrast, co-living is a type of housing in which individuals live in separate units but share certain common spaces, such as a kitchen or living room. In a co-living setting, there is much more space sharing than co-housing.
What facilities look for in communal living for seniors?
The best facilities to look out for in a cohousing community are undoubtedly an atmosphere that evokes a sense of home. These will include a functional kitchen, dining, childcare facilities, guest rooms, and recreational features, including internet access, offices, and parks. If these facilities are provided in cohousing arrangements and managed by residents, seniors will find these intentional communities the best places to start living.
