Summary

The website content advocates for the importance of enabling older people to live in their own homes with the necessary support, rather than moving them to care homes, emphasizing the benefits of "ageing in place" and the creation of intentional communities that cater to the well-being and changing needs of the elderly.

Abstract

The article emphasizes the emotional and practical significance of older individuals remaining in their family homes, where they have built their lives, rather than relocating to care homes. It suggests that gradual changes in the needs of the elderly can be better addressed through community support and adaptable housing designs that maintain their independence and quality of life. The concept of "ageing in place" is highlighted as a means to preserve mental and physical health, with the UK Housing Our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) proposing ten key design features for homes that accommodate the needs of older residents. The article also explores alternative living arrangements such as homesharing and cohousing, which promote intergenerational connections and community involvement. The author expresses a vision for creating spaces where older and younger people can coexist, fostering meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging.

Opinions

The author regrets not visiting an older woman who had prepared a meal in anticipation, emphasizing the importance of companionship for the elderly.
Older people are seen as active souls with a need for friendships and connections, and their stories from the past can be enriching for younger generations.
Not all older adults requiring household assistance should be placed in care homes, as such environments may negatively impact their mental and physical health.
The concept of "ageing in place" is crucial for maintaining the quality of life and should be protected alongside physical safety.
There is a call for diversity in care options for older people, with a focus on listening and regularly assessing their evolving needs.
Housing designs should be rethought to better suit the needs of older people, incorporating elements like flexibility, natural light, and shared facilities.
The author is open to collaborating with architects to adapt existing homes into age-friendly living spaces.
Homesharing and cohousing are presented as viable options that fill the gaps in elderly care, offering companionship, security, and community management.
The author has a vision of creating living spaces that encourage

Older People Need to Live in Their Homes, Not in Care Homes

We just need better housing solutions urgently and quickly

My biggest regret in life (honestly) is that I flaked on an older lady who lived alone after I said I’d go and visit her.

Apparently, she had prepared our meal two days in advance and was really disappointed when I didn’t turn up. I was sorry about this, so sorry about this, but it was too late.

Very soon after, she passed away (nothing to do with me though).

It was almost 10 years ago, but my mistake has put me on a path of caring for older people, including volunteering for befriending charities and working in social enterprises to find solutions to the care of the ageing population.

What I’ve learned is that the same family home that an older person might be struggling to maintain right now is the same family home where they got married, gave birth to and raised their children, and hung out with friends.

It’s probably better if we find solutions within these homes for the older people, rather than putting them in care homes, which takes away their security, flexibility, freedom and the feeling of independence.

And we should do that now because most populations are ageing rapidly.

Lonely old people don’t need care homes

For most, the journey of getting old is gradual as opposed to sudden. This means that a person’s needs change gradually as they age. Some might need a caregiver to handle everyday tasks from personal hygiene to mobility, some might just need a helping hand here and there, such as changing a lightbulb.

What’s common among older people is that they remain active souls, having as much need for friendships and connections as we do. In fact, don’t you just love listening to older people talking about the good old times and really crazy life stories that simply won’t happen in today’s technology-driven world?

What about those days when there were no phones and travelling abroad was a big deal as opposed to the budget airlines we have today? When we become very old, wouldn’t it be quite a pretty amazing story to recall this thing called Covid-19 to our grandchildren?

Not everyone who requires a bit of help in the household should be sent to a care home immediately. In this strange place where their family home is reduced to a room, meal times become standardised and there might even be a curfew, it might have worse effects on their mental and physical health than expected.

What we need to protect, apart from their physical safety, is also their quality of life, this is a concept known as “ageing in place.”

Intentional community

What many government bodies and institutions have now realised is that most older people will benefit more from being part of an “intentional community.”

“People should be supported to live at home and remain in their communities unless their needs can only be met elsewhere” (Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), 2020b)

To achieve this, first, we need diversity in what can be provided to take care of older people. We need a better system to listen and assess what people really need at any given time, and check again regularly that these needs have been met. This should reference both mental and physical health.

Second, we need to rethink how we design houses. The UK Housing Our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) has developed 10 key design features that cater for older people’s needs and wellbeing:

Space and flexibility
Daylight in the home and in shared spaces
Balconies and outdoor space
Adaptability and ‘care ready’ design
Positive use of circulation space
Shared facilities and ‘hubs’
Plants, trees, and the natural environment
Energy efficiency and sustainable design
Storage for belongings and bicycles
External shared surfaces and ‘home zones’

Are there architects out there who are thinking of ways that we can convert existing family houses to a more age-friendly home as people get older? Please feel free to contact me, I’d love to discuss further.

Bridge the gap with homesharing and cohousing

In between befriending and moving to a care home, the big gaps in the care of older people care are being addressed.

Homesharing has become a big movement in recent years where older people with a spare room are matched with a younger lodger. The lodger will enjoy cheaper accommodation but will have to put in the hours to become friends with the older person. This includes physical help, overnight security and also companionship.

I support intergenerational connections, not only because of companionship but also because both people’s experience and horizons can be enriched as a result of sharing ideas and perspectives. I am done with the Gen Z vs Millennial antagonism — what’s going on? Let’s integrate and communicate, rather than alienate.

In many Scandinavian countries, the US, the UK and Japan, co-living spaces organised from the ground-up have been sprouting in the past 20 years or so. This shows that older people themselves have identified the gaps in in the system, and are taking charge to make their retirement lives better.

Many older people prefer cohousing if they consider their illness might not allow them to remain in their own homes. The key differences between cohousing and care homes are that the community environment remains, many of the residents are involved in the management of the space and space is in turn, adapting to the specific needs of the residents.

I have a vision.

I want to create a space for older people and younger people to live together. I want everyone to have meaningful connections, feel safe and loved at home, and not be lonely. I want people to see that they are not isolated but widely connected, I want a balance between introversion and extroversion.

For me, after learning the ageing demography and how many older people are concerned about dying alone and not being discovered (孤独死) in Japan, maybe there’s something I can do about it.

I have started documenting on Medium about my journey in learning about contemporary Japan’s socioeconomic patterns, and it’s my simple dream as an anthropologist and social entrepreneur to go to Japan and learn more, perhaps, in turn, contribute to the community from an old people care’s perspective.

If you are already in Japan, or if you are interested in joining me on my journey, feel free to contact me and/or follow my Twitter!