Elder Housing | Building for late stage life.
In a country without a strong social safety net, how can we better build housing, infrastructure, and communities to serve our elderly in the USA?
Elder Housing
Type: Initiative
Project Lead: Ferris Ellis, Urban Dynamics
Collaborators: Ruthann Froberg, E.A., M.P.A. of Gilgamesh Enterprises, LLC
Status: R&D
Let’s build a world for all ages.
Have economic support for elders.
Empower late life independence.
Understand unique challenges in each area.
As the elder population across the USA continues to grow, we must evolve to better understand, support, and incorporate their needs into society. Only by ensuring our housing, development, transportation, economic policies, governance, and other such practices reflect this can we have an equitable place for people of all ages. Elder Housing is an initiative by Urban Dynamics LLC to push this forward, with initial focus on our local region in Appalachia. We are investing in research — which we have already begun sharing publicly — and investigating potential projects that will make a significant impact. If you’d like to collaborate with us, reach out. Let’s build a better future for those who did the same for us.
White Paper: Appalachian Elder Care and Housing Factors
This is the first white paper done as part of our efforts to invest and research Elder Housing. Published by Urban Dynamics LLC on October 24, 2020.
Author
Ruthann Froberg, E.A., M.P.A. of Gilgamesh Enterprises, LLC
Abstract
The U.S. is undergoing a demographic change that raises questions about resources, programs, and community planning for seniors. The Appalachian region is not exempt from this trend; census data from the past several decades indicates that the region is also aging and will need to plan for this population change and its corresponding needs. In particular, factors such as economic insecurity, isolation, and aging locale have profound effects on the wellbeing of seniors. This paper enumerates the population change in the Appalachian region over the past several decades and discusses the effects of the aforementioned factors on senior health. Using this context, this paper then introduces different models of senior living that can improve quality of life. Specifically this writing focuses on the elder co-housing model because its design and practicality serves as a positive alternative model for senior living in the Appalachian area.