On the morning of January 27th, 2024 my LCS cohort gathered early in front of Sixth College to board a bus that would take us on our Senior Affordable Housing Tour. We were scheduled to visit five different locations around downtown San Diego so time was of the essence. When we arrived at Potiker, we were greeted by two friendly staff members who escorted us into the space and delivered a brief presentation about the center’s mission and target population. I learned that in addition to providing older adults with housing, Potiker works closely with the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center to serve hot meals, offer fitness opportunities, and a myriad of other services. Older adults truly have an unlimited amount of resources at their disposal as well as courteous staff who will lend a helping hand to those in need.
After gaining a better understanding of what Potiker had available, we were given a tour of one of the resident’s living arrangements. She lived in a single room occupancy with a bathroom, kitchen sink, and minimal floor space. Despite the narrow walkway, the resident arranged her furniture and belongings in a way that maximized the space and reflected her personality. I admired her display of craftsmanship and the memories she collected within her unit. Similarly, when my group toured the Sara Francis Hometel, we were able to observe how the residents took advantage of the small space and utilized it to the best of their abilities. I was glad to see that the amenities were suited for wheelchair bound older adults and those with disabilities, as that can be a factor that is easily overlooked in designing accommodating living conditions.
Upon transitioning into the Harris Family Residence and Talmadge Gateway Apartments, I noticed a stark contrast from the previous two locations. The Harris Family Residence was newly constructed so the architecture was modern and featured the latest appliances. There was even a playground on the upper level for children to occupy and an abundance of artwork exhibited on the walls. Likewise, at Talmadge, the layout was very modern and futuristic. Bruce, one of the residents, spoke about how much he enjoyed living there and is grateful to wake up to the view from his apartment every morning. I was deeply moved by Bruce’s reflection as he expressed immense gratitude for his living situation and for the people who had helped him secure a brighter future. The conversations I shared with Jim and Pam, two residents at the North Park Senior Apartments, also left me feeling inspired and filled with exuberance. Both individuals love animals (especially dogs), exploring the outdoors, and spending time with good company, which is something that they are able to do more of now that they are retired. I hope to be just as vigorous, excited, and driven about my interests when I reach that stage in my life.
After gaining a better understanding of what Potiker had available, we were given a tour of one of the resident’s living arrangements. She lived in a single room occupancy with a bathroom, kitchen sink, and minimal floor space. Despite the narrow walkway, the resident arranged her furniture and belongings in a way that maximized the space and reflected her personality. I admired her display of craftsmanship and the memories she collected within her unit. Similarly, when my group toured the Sara Francis Hometel, we were able to observe how the residents took advantage of the small space and utilized it to the best of their abilities. I was glad to see that the amenities were suited for wheelchair bound older adults and those with disabilities, as that can be a factor that is easily overlooked in designing accommodating living conditions.
Upon transitioning into the Harris Family Residence and Talmadge Gateway Apartments, I noticed a stark contrast from the previous two locations. The Harris Family Residence was newly constructed so the architecture was modern and featured the latest appliances. There was even a playground on the upper level for children to occupy and an abundance of artwork exhibited on the walls. Likewise, at Talmadge, the layout was very modern and futuristic. Bruce, one of the residents, spoke about how much he enjoyed living there and is grateful to wake up to the view from his apartment every morning. I was deeply moved by Bruce’s reflection as he expressed immense gratitude for his living situation and for the people who had helped him secure a brighter future. The conversations I shared with Jim and Pam, two residents at the North Park Senior Apartments, also left me feeling inspired and filled with exuberance. Both individuals love animals (especially dogs), exploring the outdoors, and spending time with good company, which is something that they are able to do more of now that they are retired. I hope to be just as vigorous, excited, and driven about my interests when I reach that stage in my life.