Tue 28 Jun 2011
The following answers to this question have been provided by members of the Great Oak, Sunward, and Touchstone cohousing communities.
- Seniors have more time to give to community (if healthy).
- Accumulated experience can be useful to younger residents (life lessons).
- Provide grandparent role and understanding of aging to young children - continuum of life.
- Can share hobbies, skills, travel, historical perspective through stories.
- Have lived longer in groups - have ideas for getting along in close quarters.
- Time flexibility during day.
- Different knowledge.
- Conscientious about jobs and committees. Work ethic built in.
- Grandparent figures.
- Value independence.
- Homes more available for meetings.
- Seniors bring to cohousing a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with all other community members.
- Have a strong work ethic and a keen sense of responsibility, and are more likely to fulfill their obligations and perform assigned duties.
- Seniors are usually no strangers to adversity and struggle and will not run at the first sign of trouble, but will be persistent and stay with a situation until it is resolved.
- Seniors know what it is to be committed to a cause or a purpose, and will find ways to be productive and useful to that cause.
- In general, people are happier when they are needed, no matter what the age. For Seniors, it gives them a new lease on life, and keeps them active and involved in things going on around them.
- We have time to spend on projects, committees, and work. We have experience in life and work to contribute when issues arise.
- We lend stability to the community.
- It is good for the community is so far as keeping our world big and preventing age segregation as it can naturally occur - just as other types of segregation can occur.
- It allows us the opportunity to naturally and easily come into contact with, and develop meaningful relationships with Seniors. It allows us to lend a hand to Seniors which can help them age in place - at their home - for much longer periods of time.
- It gives us the wonderful, enriching opportunity to learn about a world we/our children never experienced - hearing stories, anecdotes, recipes, etc., of days gone by.
- Seniors have both wisdom and the time to share with us. What a wonderful gift!
- Seniors have more time to do longer-term tasks.
- Work ethic built in (follow thru). Experience in life.
- Often available during the day.
- Seniors bring life experiences to the community.
- Seniors are more responsible about getting jobs done.
- We can offer child care to young families.
- Seniors, having lived longer, have a certain amount of wisdom to offer younger members.
- Seniors tend to be conscientious in regard to doing their assigned jobs and always present at committee meetings.
- Seniors can be grandparent figures to children.
- Others may need our help. For example, letting the utility person in your unit, sign for a package, jump start your car, and many other small jobs where you need another person’s help.
- Having somebody there most of the time to help when needed or just to keep an eye on the community.
- We have had experience with some of the challenges that come with living.
- Seniors have a chance of being around during the day to help in an emergency, receive packages, notice/help visitors, etc.
-Seniors often have more time flexibility than those who are working on a regular schedule and/or who are raising children.
- Seniors have time to help others.
- Many Seniors are experienced parents who recognize that everything does not need to be a federal case.
- It is important for kids to be around all generations. For example, my kids are not afraid to be around all ages, and around death and dying.
- It is important for kids to see you can be a vital member of the community, no matter what age. Also, children can experience how to treat people of different ages.
- Seniors have diverse experience and backgrounds.
- Great Oak Seniors play a grandparent role for me.
- Seniors are often available during the day - often are the people who respond to requests for help at this time of day.
- I like stories and remembrances. I like sitting around the table at dinner and hearing people’s stories.
- Most of the Seniors have owned property before, and have an understanding of the practicalities involved.
- Most joyful “from the gut” comments about my kids have come from the Seniors.
- I am a Senior - I would like help getting to know the families in the community.
- I appreciate adult interactions with my child - particularly adults who are not currently parenting.
- Intergenerational interaction is nourishing to the spirit.
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