I was really excited to see all of the different senior housing locations. When we arrived in Potiker Senior Living location, I noticed we were in a familiar setting. The same organization as the previous trip. Just the housing unit location. When we went over the background of the people they serve, what mind boggled was how the elder index should be much higher, since there’s more to people than just feeding them. Although it is very important to have a nutritious meal, there must be comfortable housing and a clean environment that provides growth.
When we met Irene, one of the residences at Potiker, her story really touched me. It’s crazy how much one can go through and how far they've come. She seems really happy at Potifker. She was mistreated at other centers and had to live around cockroaches and bed bugs. She’s a resilient woman and I wish her the best.
The best location in my opinion was the North Park LGBQT Senior center. It provides growth with the different colored doors and floors. It provides an easily accessible living such as handle bars for walking, no stairs in the hallways, and open space and greenery. I’d like to believe their residences are happier than the other locations we saw because of what’s in front of their doors/doorsteps. I saw signs that said “help save the earth” and many “Welcome” ones. In contrast, at the hometel, the doors were decorated had more obscure and disturbing signs or decorations. Such as one that had a sign that said “beware of owner” with a picture of a gun. Plus, when we entered one of the rooms at the hometel, smoke was burning up my lungs and I couldn’t stay in their elong. The air quality was very poor compared to other locations. Which is saddening, since many of the residences are seniors, and if I couldn’t take in the air quality there I can’t imagine how it’s affecting them. I noticed the location of the hometel is not a very good area. There were ads for cannabis and a lot of trash laying around in the street. Vastly different from the other locations, ESPECIALLY the North Park location. Although the North Park location is amazing, it is much more expensive than the other location. Which would be a barrier to those who can’t afford it and must look to other alternatives that may not provide the best environment.
Overall the lack of affordable housing for seniors in San Diego is really saddening and needs to be changed. Especially the lack of access to proper care and housing is even more saddening. I wish I can just make this huge center just like the North Park LGBQT center and send all the seniors there and give a great home to live.
When we met Irene, one of the residences at Potiker, her story really touched me. It’s crazy how much one can go through and how far they've come. She seems really happy at Potifker. She was mistreated at other centers and had to live around cockroaches and bed bugs. She’s a resilient woman and I wish her the best.
The best location in my opinion was the North Park LGBQT Senior center. It provides growth with the different colored doors and floors. It provides an easily accessible living such as handle bars for walking, no stairs in the hallways, and open space and greenery. I’d like to believe their residences are happier than the other locations we saw because of what’s in front of their doors/doorsteps. I saw signs that said “help save the earth” and many “Welcome” ones. In contrast, at the hometel, the doors were decorated had more obscure and disturbing signs or decorations. Such as one that had a sign that said “beware of owner” with a picture of a gun. Plus, when we entered one of the rooms at the hometel, smoke was burning up my lungs and I couldn’t stay in their elong. The air quality was very poor compared to other locations. Which is saddening, since many of the residences are seniors, and if I couldn’t take in the air quality there I can’t imagine how it’s affecting them. I noticed the location of the hometel is not a very good area. There were ads for cannabis and a lot of trash laying around in the street. Vastly different from the other locations, ESPECIALLY the North Park location. Although the North Park location is amazing, it is much more expensive than the other location. Which would be a barrier to those who can’t afford it and must look to other alternatives that may not provide the best environment.
Overall the lack of affordable housing for seniors in San Diego is really saddening and needs to be changed. Especially the lack of access to proper care and housing is even more saddening. I wish I can just make this huge center just like the North Park LGBQT center and send all the seniors there and give a great home to live.