Experiences of active aging. Senior cohousing: Autonomy and participation

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to reflect about nowadays elderly people situation. To start with, the already existing visions of the old age as a synonym of being inactive, dependent and vulnerable, need to be reviewed. Furthermore, there is a need for a new model of aging management in which older adults can be recognized as essential human resources of participation and collaboration in society. In order to promote an intervention according to the aforementioned sense, some alternative aging experiences focused on this last stage of life will be explored. There are several options which are gaining notoriety in social media and academia: Cohousing, collaborative housing, senior cohousing are only some examples considered as optimal residential options. These modalities of convivence offer the possibility of enjoying private and community life, emphasize the need to improve elderly people living conditions (autonomy, mutual help,communication, social participation, self-determination, etc.) and constitute a sustainable model of active aging.