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Kaleidoscope Village: Community, Cohousing And Aging In Place
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Written by Allison Allen
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Tuesday, 09 September 2008
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Page 2 of 2
As in most cohousing communities, the private residences of Kaleidoscope Village tend to have less square footage than an average home. That’s because of the community spaces that provide certain amenities so each individual unit doesn’t have to. CAC’s common house includes spaces that can be used for extra bedrooms or guest quarters. There are spaces that could be used for crafts, workout areas, computer rooms or workshops. They also plan on having a laundry room for those who prefer not having their own washers and dryers although there are hook-ups in each unit.
It’s easy in our society to forget that many appliances and electronics are used fairly infrequently. The savings to be gained from sharing items such as lawnmowers, computers, TVs, washers and dryers, etc., can be significant without losing quality of life. At CAC, some people are planning on sharing vehicles.
According to Craig, cohousing is sparking significant innovation and creativity on the way we design new communities. Because most cohousing communities are in the works, most take full advantage of the latest ‘green’ building techniques to minimize their carbon footprints. Designing basic infrastructure on a small neighborhood scale rather than on an individual residential basis can cut down the costs of building. Several of CAC’s avid gardeners are interested in sustainable food production and permaculture as well, so there are plans for a community garden.
Aging In Place
One of the most interesting aspects of a cohousing community like Kaleidoscope Village is the notion of ‘aging in place’. Practically speaking, what cuts short an older person’s independence are things like not being able to do simple household tasks like climb a ladder to change a light bulb. Or, not being able to cook nutritious meals on a regular basis. Or, needing someone to check in regularly or help with errands. Most of us Boomers have had some dealings with having to put loved ones in assisted living or nursing homes simply because there wasn’t an alternative that addressed these kinds of issues.
Cohousing is an elegant solution for many of these stumbling blocks. Because neighbors are very close by, and by definition, the members’ top priority is community, there are usually helping hands just outside the front door. Frequent community meals in the common house make it easy to get a good meal several times a week. Many older people begin a decline and loss of independence when they can no longer drive. In a cohousing community, there is usually someone available to go to the grocery store, help run errands, or take a neighbor to a doctor’s appointment.
Craig Ragland says there have even been communities where older members requiring non-medical and home care share the cost of a caregiver who lives in the community guest quarters. The cohousing model presents an interesting alternative for extending the independence timeframe for many older folks.
Because designing a cohousing community begins by articulating the values of the group, they are often called intentional communities. Jay and the CAC members have planned Kaleidoscope Village very much according to their values. There are a number of cohousing communities springing up across the country and all have their own unique character. Some are intergenerational and some cater primarily to those in their 50s and above. Some are basic and some more luxurious.
That is part of the advantage of this model: each community represents the shared vision of a small group of people. The group decides what they want it to be. For the CAC, turning their values into a community has been an arduous journey, but the effort is about to pay off handsomely.
Kaleidoscope Village will have a few units available on the open market once Phase I is complete. For more information, you can contact them at
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Or, go to their website at www.austincohousing.org. For more information on cohousing around the country, the U.S. Cohousing Association is a wealth of information.
 | LIST OF COMMENTS |
1/3.
Written by Guest - Saturday, September 13 2008 |
It sounds fantastic to me, and I'm so glad they finally made it to this point. I'm pretty sure this is the group I looked into several years back, when they were still debating over whether to build from scratch, or renovate a vintage apartment complex. |
2/3.
Written by Guest - Tuesday, September 16 2008 |
This sounds like a very workable solution to the aging population and the desire to remain independent for as long as possible. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 12 September 2008 )
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