We started off in the the Potiker Family Senior Residence, it was the first time that I have ever visited a Senior housing and it was very different from what I had imagined. I was really surprised with the look of the apartments, they had a dorm feel to them. The apartment was a single room apartment with a bathroom I am grateful to be invited into the home of a senior who was currently living there. The resident felt that while it wasn’t perfect, this facility had helped save her from a life of living in abusive nursing homes. I was appalled at the story of her time in a nursing home, the lack of care and abuse that led her to fall ill and be hospitalized was not what I expected from a nursing home. From my conversation with the professor, I learned that the privatization of nursing homes often leads to a lack of oversight. It was clear that at least here the resident was able to live an independent life and was respected by staff and community members.
The Potiker Residence was made with as many possible open spaces and glass windows to provide lighting to the interior of the building. A thoughtful detail for seniors how were once homeless and not used to spending so much time indoors. We got a chance to look at the community garden and look at the buildings around us. The were little bell peppers, a lemon tree, and flowers growing in the middle of a densely populated city. The skyscrapers perhaps three times as tall as the senior home blocked much of the sunlight. Yet still this garden had life in it. The skyscrapers as a stark contrast to this community. The skyscrapers are market price housing with modern architecture, while this building was starting to show signs of aging. Despite this, this facility played a vital role in providing food and housing for many Seniors in need of a little help.
Next we visited, The Sarah Francis, which was the temporary/transition housing facility. These RSOs provides homes for those who where recently homeless. This place was dark, there was poor ventilation, and it seemed very unwelcoming. The hallways were narrow dimly lit, as we passed by each room there were signs warning us to “stay out” , “don’t touch my door!” “Beware of the owner Not the Dog!”. The laundry room and bathroom was small and shared by the whole floor. This facility was not a place I would want to live in much less have my grandparents live there. I understand that funding is limited and that these are safety net placements for those who are struggling with homelessness but it seems as though these places were not made with the intent of being even slightly welcoming. It is my hope that one day we will be able to better funding programs that help people overcome homelessness and with temporary housing that is dignified. The last place we visited was in North Park, a home aimed at creating an LGBTQ inclusive community that is only a few months old. This was a new site that we created thoughtfulness in every aspect of the structure. It started out as a old parking lot but construction transformed it into a senior friendly apartment building Each floor is color coded making it very distinguishable of the older residents, there is a community space were they seniors can go use free wifi. The outside patio was decorated with lights and colorful little decals. There was space to grow a garden and even a community kitchen! As we walked through the halls little messages of acceptance decorated that walls and Pride flags were on balcones. Physically this place was the most thoughtful and beautiful place we have visited, event the stairwells provided scenic views of the town. I think that it is still too early to tell if there is a strong sense of community but there clearly are enough physical spaces for meetings and gatherings. I am curious to see how the residents influence the direction in programing and any structural changes to the building.
I think there are many pros and cons to these housing models, some are too small and dark to foster a sense of community, while others provide ample space for residents to have meetings. No one place is perfect, but each one uses their resources to support seniors in need. There really is a lack of funding and support of low income seniors so anything that is done to help is surely appreciated. I think as future generations begin to age it is pertinent to learn from these housing solutions and take what works and what doesn’t and apply this to future housing models. This is a problem that isn't at the forefront of media and the public conscious, personally, I have learned a lot about the lack of affordable housing for seniors and I intend to take this knowledge with me as I become a working professional and apply it were I can.
The Potiker Residence was made with as many possible open spaces and glass windows to provide lighting to the interior of the building. A thoughtful detail for seniors how were once homeless and not used to spending so much time indoors. We got a chance to look at the community garden and look at the buildings around us. The were little bell peppers, a lemon tree, and flowers growing in the middle of a densely populated city. The skyscrapers perhaps three times as tall as the senior home blocked much of the sunlight. Yet still this garden had life in it. The skyscrapers as a stark contrast to this community. The skyscrapers are market price housing with modern architecture, while this building was starting to show signs of aging. Despite this, this facility played a vital role in providing food and housing for many Seniors in need of a little help.
Next we visited, The Sarah Francis, which was the temporary/transition housing facility. These RSOs provides homes for those who where recently homeless. This place was dark, there was poor ventilation, and it seemed very unwelcoming. The hallways were narrow dimly lit, as we passed by each room there were signs warning us to “stay out” , “don’t touch my door!” “Beware of the owner Not the Dog!”. The laundry room and bathroom was small and shared by the whole floor. This facility was not a place I would want to live in much less have my grandparents live there. I understand that funding is limited and that these are safety net placements for those who are struggling with homelessness but it seems as though these places were not made with the intent of being even slightly welcoming. It is my hope that one day we will be able to better funding programs that help people overcome homelessness and with temporary housing that is dignified. The last place we visited was in North Park, a home aimed at creating an LGBTQ inclusive community that is only a few months old. This was a new site that we created thoughtfulness in every aspect of the structure. It started out as a old parking lot but construction transformed it into a senior friendly apartment building Each floor is color coded making it very distinguishable of the older residents, there is a community space were they seniors can go use free wifi. The outside patio was decorated with lights and colorful little decals. There was space to grow a garden and even a community kitchen! As we walked through the halls little messages of acceptance decorated that walls and Pride flags were on balcones. Physically this place was the most thoughtful and beautiful place we have visited, event the stairwells provided scenic views of the town. I think that it is still too early to tell if there is a strong sense of community but there clearly are enough physical spaces for meetings and gatherings. I am curious to see how the residents influence the direction in programing and any structural changes to the building.
I think there are many pros and cons to these housing models, some are too small and dark to foster a sense of community, while others provide ample space for residents to have meetings. No one place is perfect, but each one uses their resources to support seniors in need. There really is a lack of funding and support of low income seniors so anything that is done to help is surely appreciated. I think as future generations begin to age it is pertinent to learn from these housing solutions and take what works and what doesn’t and apply this to future housing models. This is a problem that isn't at the forefront of media and the public conscious, personally, I have learned a lot about the lack of affordable housing for seniors and I intend to take this knowledge with me as I become a working professional and apply it were I can.