PrimeTime Magazine Fall 2019 | Page 24

COHOUSING with INTENTION The first time I heard about cohousing I was curious at what seemed to be a rebellious thought by a group of seniors. (I didn’t really consider myself one yet). I was even more curious when the topic arose again as an incidental mention in a news report and again when a documentary aired on CBC radio. I wanted to understand just what they were saying. Seniors needed to choose how to live and age? What would that look like? So, I did what we all do these days–I googled. Curiosity peaked. I am a grandmother divided between children raising families on both the East and West coast and have a need to be a known entity in my grandchildren’s lives. For the past six years, I have travelled between these two destinations as much as I can. But I am a pragmatist if nothing else and I began to realize that I could not live as if family was all that I had in my life. I needed a community of my own. Loneliness and isolation can be killers and I didn’t want to become a statistic. I want to avoid that scenario by making sure I have plenty of opportunity for social connections. I also want to belong to a supportive community that I can contribute to as a member. Now retired, I am actively doing a lot of reading, viewing and visiting cohousing communities as an option. What so appealing about living with a bunch of strangers, you ask? Intentional community – the process of designing and developing the community together creates relationships between members and by the time they move into their new community, they know each other, they are already neighbours. And that is what will save me. Stay tuned for more on this topic. Kathlyn Hunter A great place to call home Our Enhanced Apartments offer you the choice of two Lifestyle Packages: For more information on our Enhanced apartments or to arrange a tour, please call: (506) 852-7840 www.pptseniorliving.ca 24 PrimeTime FALL/AUTOMNE 2019 Active Adult – Newspaper, Lifeline, Two Meals a Day, Weekly Housekeeping, Transportation to medical appointments, Heat, Lights, Cable and Parking. Full Service – Newspaper, Lifeline, Three Meals a Day, Weekly Housekeeping, Weekly Laundry, Medication Administration, Transportation to medical appointments, Heat, Lights, Cable and Parking.