A current trend making its’ way around the globe is age-friendly communities which focus on the intergenerational housing model. With a growing older-adult population, significant consideration needs to be given to supporting individuals’ in inclusive communities which help them thrive. Housing is an important social determinant of health and impacts many aspects of an individuals’ overall health status (Suleman & Bhatia, 2021). Unfortunately, as people age, they are more likely to live alone and are at risk of certain health concerns. For example, “loneliness is correlated with a decline in function with activities of daily living, negatively impacting subjective health and increasing the risk of conditions such as depression, incontinence, hypertension, and vision impairment, as well as overall mortality” (Suleman & Bhatia, 2021, pp. 171-173). An intergenerational housing model can address loneliness faced by older-adults and have profound positive impacts on younger generations.
Unlike many existing homogeneous housing models, which separate older adults into 55+ communities, assisted-living buildings and long-term care facilities, intergenerational housing deliberately brings mixed age groups together where there is interaction among and connection between the groups (Sudo, 2021). Communal spaces and programs are thoughtfully designed to bring mixed age groups together through face-to-face interactions to promote social engagement.
Some examples of intergenerational living include a “university-based retirement community” (Jacobs, 2021). Well-appointed senior apartments with on-site medical care are located nearby or on a college campus. The level of engagement between retirees and students varies with some universities requiring annual educational hours.
Another fascinating example of intergenerational living brings together L.G.B.T. seniors and youth from the Hollywood area in a newly designed supportive housing complex. L.G.B.T. youth who are homeless and L.G.B.T. seniors face similar experiences of homophobia and marginalization in the housing community. The complex offers intergenerational programs and support groups to its residents, providing a profound sense of community and family (Jacobs, 2021).
Intergenerational models of living exist across Europe, Japan and Singapore with the goal of moving away from age segregated living to more integrated spaces to address age-friendly communities. Canada is due to embrace this trend as our aging population grows to minimize the potential impact of social, economic and digital exclusion faced by older adults (Fang et al., 2023).
References:
Fang, M. L., Sixsmith, J., Hamilton-Pryde, A., Rogowsky, R., Scrutton, P., Pengelly, R., Woolrych, R., & Creaney, R. (2023). Co-creating inclusive spaces and places: Towards an intergenerational and age-friendly living ecosystem. Frontiers in public health, 10, 996520. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.996520
Jacobs, K. (2021, September 2). Don’t mind the gap in intergenerational housing. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/02/style/housing-elderly-intergenerational-living.html
Sudo, C. (2021, May 31). How intergenerational living is shaping new senior housing models post-pandemic. Senior Housing News.https://seniorhousingnews.com/2021/05/31/how-intergenerational-living-is-shaping-new-senior-housing-models-post-pandemic/
Suleman, R., & Bhatia, F. (2021). Intergenerational housing as a model for improving older-adult health. BC Medical Journal, 63(4), 171-173. https://bcmj.org/articles/intergenerational-housing-model-improving-older-adult-health
Comments