Aging in Place: Unlocking the Power of Community
In a captivating conversation on The Long View podcast, author and consultant Joy Loverde delves into the intricate world of eldercare, offering insights on successful aging and the crucial role of housing. Loverde's books, Who Will Take Care Of Me When I’m Old? and The Complete Eldercare Planner, serve as guides for navigating the complexities of aging.
The Housing Dilemma: A Key Concern in Elderly Care
Christine Benz, from Morningstar, raises an important question: Why is housing such a significant issue in eldercare?
Joy Loverde emphasizes that housing is indeed the primary concern. She explains that when people ask where to begin, the answer lies in the importance of one's living environment. It's about creating an informal support network. With the caregiving crisis accelerating, more people are becoming unavailable to provide assistance. We will increasingly rely on our friends and neighbors for help.
Loverde highlights the importance of living in a community where immediate access and forged relationships are possible. She warns that living alone in a neighborhood where one needs a car to get around and where neighbors don't interact can lead to isolation and failure in the aging process.
Aging in Place: Challenges and Opportunities
Amy Arnott explores the desire of many older adults to stay in their homes. Loverde acknowledges that aging in place can be positive if one has the time and resources to build relationships and manage the process. However, she emphasizes the need for diligence, technology management, and a focus on nutrition to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Assisted Living: Navigating the Challenges
Benz brings up the topic of assisted living and its potential disempowering effects due to the constant exposure to despair, disease, dementia, dying, and death. Loverde suggests doing thorough research to find excellent assisted living communities that offer support and a family-like environment. She also addresses the challenge of family members pulling back, emphasizing the importance of creating one's own support system and respecting adult children's boundaries.
The Evolving Family Dynamic in Aging
Arnott highlights the need for open communication between aging parents and their adult children. Loverde agrees, noting the dramatic changes in family dynamics over the past 15 years due to increased longevity. She shares an interesting trend of adult children and their parents moving into life-plan communities together, both over 65.
Creative Approaches to Senior Housing
Arnott inquires about less traditional housing options. Loverde introduces an innovative concept: a company in Scottsdale, Arizona, that helps groups of seven friends set up their own assisted living community. This creative approach allows friends with financial means to create a supportive living environment together.
The Golden Girls Effect
Loverde compares this concept to a structured version of The Golden Girls, where the nurse is conveniently next door. She believes in the power of naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) and shares her experience living in a NORC in Chicago, where an informal network of support exists, even with a mix of young and old residents.
So, what do you think? Is aging in place a viable option for you? How can we create supportive communities as we age? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
