Prior to joining the Life Course Scholars program, I was not very aware of the different types of places elders may come to live. I was aware of retirement homes or senior housing that included services such as the delivery of medication and meals. However, I did not know that single occupancy rooms existed. After visiting the first site, I was surprised to see how small the rooms in which the elders lived in were. The room we were able to walk into and observe seemed just large enough for a single person to live in. Additionally, it was interesting to learn that the site offered spaces for socializing such as the outdoor garden, common rooms, and cafeteria. I imagine that these spaces allow residents to get to know one another and develop friendships that may become their source of support. The second site that we were able to tour appeared drastically different from the first. I was taken back by how small the rooms were, including the lack of walking space. When we gathered in the room, I began to feel claustrophobic and observed how even with a single person living in the room, it seemed awfully tight. Another difference with this site was the fact that there were common showers and restrooms for residents. It was surprising to know that some of the residents at the site lacked the privacy of having their own personal restroom. I believe that knowing these affordable housing options are available is beneficial in the sense that it offers living spaces to those in need. At the same time, it is surprising to see the range of differences within each site and is vital to note that space is limited and some individuals’ budgets may make it difficult to afford housing.
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Monique SimArchives
June 2018
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