Co-Housing, adults living in the same house with their own bedroom and sharing the common areas, is an alternative to standard elder-care. Baylor College of Medicine Geriatrics Professor Robert Roush says it's a great idea. “The research on aging show that those who have a close knit circle of friends do better on almost every aspect of life than do alone-living elders.” Dr. Roush says it's good for the heart and the brain: interaction with other people at least once a day, physical and mental activity, happy surroundings. He adds that you have more independence, better food, more space and it's more affordable. “You might have to give up a tad bit of privacy – but people I have talked to say it works very well. “
The statistics say it's time has come. Per Dr. Roush, “The average of widow-hood in this country is 60 – and the average life span of women here is 85+.” Co-Housing is in Austin and Dallas and is coming to Houston.
You could just be living with Blanche, Dorothy and Rose!