Women For Living in Community is about being self-sufficient and self-reliant as we age but the key word there is “Community.” I believe women can be stronger together and we can help each other in ways we may not expect.
In 2012, 37 million American women between the ages of 30 and 84 are childfree by choice or by chance. For generations in cultures around the world it was expected that children would take care of their aging parents. The reality in our country is that many seniors are hidden away in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, even those with children.
There are alternatives.
When we ask the question “Who will take care of you?” what answer are we looking for? Is it possible that we are asking the wrong question altogether?
Click below to read more about community living as we age.
I believe living in community can be a benefit to all women as they age. Supporting each other is natural and each member of the household brings certain talents and skills to the community which can benefit everyone. A community can even bring younger and older women together to provide a long term care plan that can make retirement and aging less stressful.
I believe that buying or renting a home with other women simply makes good sense.
On May 31st, part of my story of living in community was featured by the AARP. As the article states:
“Conditions are ripe to make home sharing an option for many women. Four million women age 50-plus live in U.S. households with at least two women 50-plus — a statistic that is expected to rise. According to the National Center for Family & Marriage Research, one out of three boomers will probably face old age without a spouse. Women, on average, live about five years longer than men. Adult children are
often far away. And since 1990, the overall divorce rate for the 50-plus demographic has doubled.”
Sharing spaces like this brings together women from all walks of life who can enrich each other’s experience. Not only can we lean on each other for support we can also develop deep bonds of friendship that can last a lifetime.
If you want to know more about Women for Living in Community, come to one of our meet-ups in Asheville to talk to myself and other women interested in building communities as we age. I am also on the organizing committee for the Culture Change in Aging Network of Buncombe County. A series of three workshops will be starting in June. If want to know more about aging in place please check them out.
Hi Marianne,
I absolutely agree with you. Women relying on each other has to start when we’re younger (in our 60’s 🙂 ) You can’t wait until your old and frail to have the real relationships that will see you through thick and thin.
Hi Cathy,
Couldn’t have said it better. We need to start this now. Relationships, houses, gatherings and more. That is my battle cry,
Connection, Information and ACTION!! Thanks for your continuing interest.
Marianne