Hillside Intergenerational Housing: Generational Care and Wellbeing
Exterior render of Hillside Intergenerational Housing, featuring terraces of residential units
By 2030, 25% of the world’s population will be over 60 years old. With an increasingly aging population, the percentage of seniors living independently is expected to quickly increase to 40% by 2050. Seniors are increasingly choosing to live apart from their family unit.
However, most senior living residences cannot provide this comfort as they operate on an assisted healthcare system rather than a lifestyle system. There is a depression rate of 44% in these assisted healthcare senior residences.
The popularity of intergenerational living spaces is growing in the younger demographic as people find more value in community and sustainability. Community living offers shared activity spaces through opportunities for personal development and social engagement.
Exterior render of Hillside Intergenerational Housing, featuring playscape in central courtyard
A study from Stanford details how contributing to the care of young people improves both physical and emotional wellbeing of an aging population. The aging population benefits from improved critical thinking, problem solving, and social skills. This also allows them to establish of a sense of purpose by empowering them to contribute meaningfully to society. The younger generation also benefits as they receive the mentorship and attention that they require when growing up.
Fostering such an environment, such as a kindergarten, where the aging population and children can socialize and interact with each other, can produce positive social and emotional outcomes, and enhance resident wellbeing.
Incorporating a kindergarten into intergenerational housing could provide this enriching environment for cross-generation interaction. With such a service, young parents are able to go to work, children are able to play and learn with their peers and mentors, and the aging population feel connected and purposeful.