Staying Healthy
3 group housing trends for the 60 and older set
Living together offers benefits for both health and finances.
- Reviewed by Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter
The kids are grown, the house is empty, and you (and your partner) are wondering if you'll be spending the next few decades living alone — risking loneliness, social isolation, and chronic health problems. If the prospect is unappealing, you have options — and they're not limited to retirement facilities. Here are three trends to consider.
1. Specialized communities
A specialized community is sort of a private mini-neighborhood with dwellings clustered around common spaces. The units might be individual houses or cottages built around recreational areas, gardens, parking, and a common house for gatherings and planned activities. Or they could be apartments in a tall building with a courtyard and a "common house" on the first floor. The communities are run by the people who live there or by nonprofit organizations. Residents might own their homes or rent them.
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About the Author
Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
About the Reviewer
Anthony L. Komaroff, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Letter
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