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| ONE LIFE, ONE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE ACCESSIBLE IN-BETWEEN |
Current movements emphasize in the
incorporation of the elderly into Assisted Living
facilities and Retirement communities in order to
maintain their independence, but these systems
segregate them from the rest of the society. First,
the elders are removed from the community they
always knew and get placed in a strange
environment. Not only do they lose their sense
incorporation of the elderly into Assisted Living
facilities and Retirement communities in order to
maintain their independence, but these systems
segregate them from the rest of the society. First,
the elders are removed from the community they
always knew and get placed in a strange
environment. Not only do they lose their sense
INDEPENDENT SPIRITS
of place, but the neighborhood looses an important part of its integration. Independent living
should be possible in every community.
I am used to seeing these communities close to commercial areas and after I analyzed
three local communities I discovered they are. I concentrated in the Hampton Roads area and
selected three locations in different cities. The first one was Old Donation apartments in
Virginia Beach. They are located in a triangular shape area limited by three main roads. The
complex is close to a small residential area, but the back of the buildings are facing it. Their
two bedroom units presented an area in the entrance in which the circulation is interrupted by a
closet. The laundry room is in the kitchen, which is not functional for the elderly because they
will need to cross all living areas in order to get there. Secondly, I analyzed the Silver Hills
complex in Newport News where the complex is located between three main roads and a water
body. They have one main entrance with a controlled access. The units are located in a grid
like pattern permitting traffic and parking. Their two bedroom unit has a kitchen with not
enough countertop space and one of the bedrooms is directly related to the living room
increasing noise. The last retirement community was The Orchards at Suffolk. They are
completely isolated from the residential areas and surrounded by an undeveloped area and a
major highway exchange. Their complex is set on an organic way in which the trees and green
spaces are integrated. Their two bedroom unit has the laundry area at the other side of the
living room beside the porch. Therefore, the functionality of the area is reduced.
We can see the displacement of the retirement communities in the Hampton Roads area and
how they related them to commercial areas instead of residential. The elderly are offered many
amenities as barber and beauty shops, walking areas, transportation, gardening, etc, but these
activities are set for them like movie stages. They are not part of an active community. I am
not saying the intention behind the retirement communities is not good and that they are not
doing a good job helping the elderly. In two of the communities people have to be sixty two or
older to be there and in the other one fifty five. There is no age integration with younger
people. At the same time, established communities are loosing their older inhabitants;
therefore, they are also loosing their age integration. Intergenerational communities will allow
the elderly to be part of the neighborhood. It will promote age integration and communal
activities in order for the neighborhood to resist the passing of time. All generations will benefit
from the environment created and its functionality.
should be possible in every community.
I am used to seeing these communities close to commercial areas and after I analyzed
three local communities I discovered they are. I concentrated in the Hampton Roads area and
selected three locations in different cities. The first one was Old Donation apartments in
Virginia Beach. They are located in a triangular shape area limited by three main roads. The
complex is close to a small residential area, but the back of the buildings are facing it. Their
two bedroom units presented an area in the entrance in which the circulation is interrupted by a
closet. The laundry room is in the kitchen, which is not functional for the elderly because they
will need to cross all living areas in order to get there. Secondly, I analyzed the Silver Hills
complex in Newport News where the complex is located between three main roads and a water
body. They have one main entrance with a controlled access. The units are located in a grid
like pattern permitting traffic and parking. Their two bedroom unit has a kitchen with not
enough countertop space and one of the bedrooms is directly related to the living room
increasing noise. The last retirement community was The Orchards at Suffolk. They are
completely isolated from the residential areas and surrounded by an undeveloped area and a
major highway exchange. Their complex is set on an organic way in which the trees and green
spaces are integrated. Their two bedroom unit has the laundry area at the other side of the
living room beside the porch. Therefore, the functionality of the area is reduced.
We can see the displacement of the retirement communities in the Hampton Roads area and
how they related them to commercial areas instead of residential. The elderly are offered many
amenities as barber and beauty shops, walking areas, transportation, gardening, etc, but these
activities are set for them like movie stages. They are not part of an active community. I am
not saying the intention behind the retirement communities is not good and that they are not
doing a good job helping the elderly. In two of the communities people have to be sixty two or
older to be there and in the other one fifty five. There is no age integration with younger
people. At the same time, established communities are loosing their older inhabitants;
therefore, they are also loosing their age integration. Intergenerational communities will allow
the elderly to be part of the neighborhood. It will promote age integration and communal
activities in order for the neighborhood to resist the passing of time. All generations will benefit
from the environment created and its functionality.
