On Wednesday, April 25 2018, the life course scholars cohort for Spring 2018 visited Casa De Manana, a Senior Retirement Community in La Jolla, California. We presented the findings of our neighborhoodh assessment project that took place in the winter quarter of the course. La Jolla, Golden Hills, and Barrio Logan were the three neighborhoods that had been assessed based on criteria for Age Friendliness provided by the World Health Organization. After presenting our findings to residents and staff of the retirement community, we then were given an opportunity to engage in a group activity with the elders. This activity entailed the students and elders discussing what an ideal intergenerational community would consist of. An Intergenerational Community is a community that is designed for all ages to be able to live together while reaching optimal health and safety. We were given a large piece of paper, that we were encouraged to write in words and in drawings what our group believed should be included an Intergenerational Community. Our findings from these drawings and discussions are included below:
- Transportation: Adequate public transportation that is accessible via walking. Furthermore, transportation should include buses, trolleys, and carpooling services.
- Residents at Casa De Manana expressed that they felt isolated from public transpiration due to their inability to access nearest bus stop which is up a steep grade and over a couple blocks away. They described their wishes to have the trolley route expand to include the La Jolla community.
- Housing: Developing affordable and accessible housing that multi-generations can live together in. By allowing for mixed generational housing, shared experiences and knowledge can benefit each person, no matter their position in the life course
- Residents at Casa De Manana described having a place for where the elderly can share housing with college students.
- Social and Civic Participation: A community that enjoys games, arts, and music across various areas, and encourages different generations to enjoy together.
- Residents at Casa De Manana expressed going on a field trip to Barrio Logan to see the artwork, and wanted to have college aged students join them
- Residents at Casa De Manana also expressed board games such as bridge and dancing that can be taught and experienced by young and old together
- Built Environment: Building public spaces that allow for people to come together at various times of day to experience music, art, commerce, and relaxation.
- Residents at Casa De Manana described building communities that surround a central plaza akin to those in Spain. This would allow people of different ages and backgrounds to come together for various events and experiences
The residents of Casa De Manana were eager to be involved in creating and living in a community that embraces shared spaces, and a community that consists of people at different stages of the life course. Thus as we develop our cities into the future urban planning, and policy across various sectors need to understand that older adults want to be a part of communities that have younger citizens, thus an Intergenerational Community.
- Transportation: Adequate public transportation that is accessible via walking. Furthermore, transportation should include buses, trolleys, and carpooling services.
- Residents at Casa De Manana expressed that they felt isolated from public transpiration due to their inability to access nearest bus stop which is up a steep grade and over a couple blocks away. They described their wishes to have the trolley route expand to include the La Jolla community.
- Housing: Developing affordable and accessible housing that multi-generations can live together in. By allowing for mixed generational housing, shared experiences and knowledge can benefit each person, no matter their position in the life course
- Residents at Casa De Manana described having a place for where the elderly can share housing with college students.
- Social and Civic Participation: A community that enjoys games, arts, and music across various areas, and encourages different generations to enjoy together.
- Residents at Casa De Manana expressed going on a field trip to Barrio Logan to see the artwork, and wanted to have college aged students join them
- Residents at Casa De Manana also expressed board games such as bridge and dancing that can be taught and experienced by young and old together
- Built Environment: Building public spaces that allow for people to come together at various times of day to experience music, art, commerce, and relaxation.
- Residents at Casa De Manana described building communities that surround a central plaza akin to those in Spain. This would allow people of different ages and backgrounds to come together for various events and experiences
The residents of Casa De Manana were eager to be involved in creating and living in a community that embraces shared spaces, and a community that consists of people at different stages of the life course. Thus as we develop our cities into the future urban planning, and policy across various sectors need to understand that older adults want to be a part of communities that have younger citizens, thus an Intergenerational Community.