Cohousing Seniors Get It Right: Workshop Trains Senior Cohousing Project Leaders

Published on Mar 2, 2009 - 10:11:08 AM

By: McCamant & Durrett

NEVADA CITY, Calif. Feb. 26, 2009 - The fastest growing segment of the housing industry is 50+ and over 10,000 Americans turn 50 every single day. Over 78 million baby boomers are near retirement (1). This growing population of baby boomers seeks solutions that have more to do with continuing life than settling in for the duration. Current economic pressures are motivating boomers to seek affordable housing options. According to the Federal Reserve, Americans average net worth is down about 23%(2), inviting serious consideration of ways to retire with less income. Creative solutions like cohousing, which typically include less driving and energy use while preserving quality of life benefits, are ripe for consideration—senior cohousing offers a viable means to live well for less, surrounded by a caring community.

Senior cohousing provides an unexpected answer for aging baby boomers wanting to retain freedom and mobility. Aging in place gives seniors a right-fit community, which understands their specific needs. Architect Charles Durrett has spent years working with cohousing concepts and is now sharing his knowledge with seniors, gerontologists and other professionals. To assist in moving this important new housing option for seniors forward, Durrett has created a facilitator’s workshop. Senior Cohousing Leaders workshop for Aging in Place, is being held April 20-24 in Boulder, Colorado at the award winning cohousing project, Silver Sage. Joining Durrett as workshop facilitators are Jim Leach of Wonderland Hill Development Company and veteran team builder, Annie Russell. Attendees will gain thorough understanding of senior cohousing dynamics and leave this workshop prepared to facilitate senior cohousing projects through group formation and the development process.

Senior Cohousing Leaders workshop examines the principles of aging in place set within a senior cohousing community. Experience total cohousing immersion with residents, professionals and others interested in starting senior cohousing projects. McCamant & Durrett’s design for Silver Sage Village received the NAHB Silver Award for Best of Senior Living in 2008.

Charles Durrett introduced cohousing to the United States, coined the term cohousing, and is the winner of the 2001 United Nations Human Habitat Award, among others. He is the author of Senior Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Independent Living. The Handbook. Ten Speed Press 2005.

SENIOR COHOUSING FACILIATION WORKSHOP

Senior Cohousing Leaders workshop for Aging in Place

WHO: Chuck Durrett, architect; Jim Leach, developer; and Annie Russell; facilitation trainer
WHAT: Workshop for those interested in facilitating senior housing/cohousing solutions
WHEN: April 20-24, 2009
RESERVE: charles.durrett@cohousingco.org, call Chris at 530.265.9980
WHERE: Silver Sage Cohousing, Boulder, Colorado
FEE: $1,450
INCLUDES: 5 days instruction at a cohousing site, including all lunches
and breakfasts

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW:

This workshop trains facilitators and developers to help people examine issues related to aging and aging in place, within the context of a safe and comfortable environment of inquiry and discovery. It is an excellent opportunity for non-professionals interested in cohousing to gain tools needed to begin cohousing project interest groups. Professionals will add depth to their existing skill set in gerontology planning and group facilitation, as well as increasing their ability to develop cohousing projects.

Participants are given the tools needed to go back to their home community and conduct senior cohousing study group sessions, presenting an increased understanding of senior housing choices. Senior Cohousing Leaders workshop supports applying Durrett’s group planning process outlined in his book, "Senior Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Independent Living. The Handbook."

This workshop provides an unprecedented opportunity to spend five days with one of the nation’s leading cohousing architects (Charles Durrett) and cohousing developers (Jim Leach). Together, they provide some 40+ years of real cohousing project design and development experience and share numerous awards.

Set in a senior cohousing community, the five-day workshop is highly experiential. Thought pieces and exercises will be given for each interactive session. Participants will engage in a comprehensive exploration of the issues that surface when working with a diverse group of people who are actively grappling with aging, denial, and the growth necessary to become more self-deterministic about their own future.

WATCH THE VIDEO: http://www.mccamant-durrett.com/index.cfm

Notes:

(1) Double Whammy. By: Ballenstedt, Britanny, Government Executive, 00172626, Dec2008
(2) Average American Net Worth Drops 23%, As Home, Stock And Business Values All Tanked, Recession Ate Away At Americans' Worth From Dec. '07 To Oct. '08
Online: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/12/national/main4798225.shtml

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