Aging in the right place: Innovative housing solutions for women as we age
Society27.11.2024
For many of us, the dream of aging gracefully means maintaining independence, staying in familiar surroundings, and enjoying our communities. Where and how we live as we grow older can profoundly impact our quality of life, mental health, and financial stability.
But aging, especially as a woman, often presents unique challenges. With women tending to live longer than men, usually outliving spouses and partners, the question of how to age in place while fostering social connections becomes more important than ever.
As Dr. Paula Rochon, founding director of Women’s Age Lab at Toronto’s Women’s College Hospital, says, “Aging isn’t just about the present; it’s about planning for the future.” More and more women are taking a proactive approach to their later years, considering not only their financial security but also the social and emotional support they’ll need to remain independent and thrive.
Rethinking what aging in place means
While we tend to think “aging in place” means staying in your current home, it has a broader meaning: living in an environment that supports your independence, health, and well-being. That could be the family house you’ve lived in for decades or a new apartment designed to make life simpler.
“People are often planning ahead and moving into places where it’s more single-floor living, and you don’t have some of the things that go with house maintenance,” Dr. Rochon says. “They’re thinking, ‘Maybe a big house isn’t what I want in the future. Maybe shovelling snow isn’t really the best thing for me.’”
That’s why she says housing choices like apartments and condominiums are increasingly appealing, allowing women to focus on what truly matters: staying healthy, connected, and engaged with the world around them – maintaining independence while ditching the shovelling.
The rise of intergenerational and shared living
Women often outlive their partners, and the prospect of living alone can be daunting. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored the importance of connection, with many older adults experiencing acute loneliness during lockdowns. Yet, as Dr. Rochon observes, “Loneliness does not just affect older people; young people feel it, too.”
The idea of intergenerational living — where younger and older people share living spaces and support each other — has roots in many cultures but has only recently begun to gain attention in places like Canada. “I think it’s interesting that during COVID, you started to see [intergenerational living] again,” says Dr. Rochon. “People would purposely think, ‘I don’t want to be alone,’ and young people and older people started living together.”
This trend is more than just a reaction to loneliness — it also makes economic sense. In expensive cities (which, let’s face it, now include most Canadian cities and even smaller towns), shared living can be mutually beneficial. Older adults with extra space and who need additional income can rent out rooms to students or younger adults seeking affordable housing. The result? Both parties benefit not just financially but socially as well. “It’s a win-win for both of them,” says Dr. Rochon.
Naturally occurring retirement communities
Another innovative concept is naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs). These are apartment buildings or neighbourhoods where most of the residents are older adults, even though the housing wasn’t initially designed as a retirement community. These settings offer a unique opportunity to foster strong social connections while allowing older women to age in place, surrounded by peers and familiar faces.
Dr. Rochon and her team are deeply interested in how NORCs can be enhanced to support aging women. “The trick is, how do you enhance those environments so that people get to know their neighbours, have opportunities to socialize, and have people they can rely on when they need help?”
Socialization is key in these communities. Dr. Rochon suggests simple ways to foster stronger connections, such as organizing group activities or encouraging residents to help each other with small tasks like picking up groceries.
Creating a sense of community within these buildings can make a significant difference in quality of life while also providing practical support systems. “Having people you can call in your building, people you can connect with, and activities that are planned where you can all get together and enjoy – it can help with the issues around loneliness.”
Building support systems within communities
Another advantage of NORC-style living models is the potential for bringing support services into the community rather than relying on traditional care models. Instead of having healthcare providers and caregivers travel to individual homes, support can be centralized, allowing for more efficient and coordinated care.
“Maybe somebody needs help with housekeeping tasks or some assistance with caregiving or home care support. It could be made available in a much easier fashion,” Dr. Rochon says. “There’s a huge opportunity to give people the things that they want, to allow them to have their own space, and to create these social networks which are so important.”
With services centralized where they live, older women can access the help they need without feeling isolated or having to relocate to institutional settings like assisted living facilities.
Planning for the future: Living better together
At the heart of all these models — whether it’s downsizing, shared living, or NORCs — is the importance of planning for the future. Dr. Rochon emphasizes that it’s never too early to start thinking about how and where you want to live as you age. “We’re all aging from the time we’re born, and if life goes well, you’re going to be in that category at some point. You want to start thinking about what things you can do that will be good for you as you get older, and start planning ahead.”
As Dr. Rochon’s research shows, living together — whether with family, friends, or neighbours — can help women live better, healthier, and more connected lives. And with new models and ideas gaining momentum, the possibilities for aging well in the right place are expanding. The key is to start thinking about it now, while you still have choices, and to embrace the idea that aging doesn’t have to mean going it alone.
