Global population is set to increase. Approaching a serene old age is therefore a topic that is close to people's hearts. People are finding it more difficult to care for elderly relatives as the size of the average family is getting smaller nowadays. Nursing homes are not always an option due to the costs, accessibility and also because many elderly people wish to keep their independence. A residential model that is emerging around the world, could be a solution, and it's called cohousing.
What is Cohousing?
These are residential complexes where every resident has a home of his/her own, or they can live as a couple, and where there are common areas that are shared, in order to create a small community. The buildings are often co designed with the very people who are going to live there.
Where and when did the idea begin?
Cohousing began in Denmark in the 1960s and today it is widespread throughout Northern Europe, particularly in England, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Germany and France, but also in the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan.
The advantages
Choosing this residential solution has some advantages. It allows someone to live in a private home while fully participating in a community and be in regular contact with people of the same age, with whom they can share some activities. Life is easier because there are guaranteed services and assistance. The result is a safe environment, particularly suitable for the elderly and is reasonably affordable as the costs are shared.
Other types of cohousing
There are many types of cohabitation. For example, there may be elderly people with large homes who choose to rent rooms, host peers or university students. In return, the latter must do some household chores, pay bills and keep them company. Other people share a residential complex, which requires resident involvement in planning and maintaining a neighborhood to create a true community. As a result, people start coming together straightaway to plan and create organized areas, especially designed for those who will live there. This means that they work on both the construction project and the community project, what services will be needed and how to share and manage them in communal areas.
Is it really a solution?
Sharing some spaces and services can cause disagreements, for example, as often happens in condominiums. However, those who choose this type of accommodation certainly start out with the attitude that they will be sharing and working together with other people and this helps to make dialogue easier and strengthens the will to avoid conflicts and quarrels.
What a cohousing resident can expect
To become a co housing resident, there are dead lines to respect related to the creation of the project, establishing a sufficient number of participants and identifying the land on which to build or restore buildings. After these decisions are made, building work may last from 12 to 24 months, with the exception of unforeseen problems and delays due to various administration and technical timings (purchase of the land or building, construction / renovation permits, arranging mortgages).
