We all know about Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka; we studied it in school. The Supreme Court unanimously declared that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.” Now, more than 60 years later, we find that older people too often find themselves living in facilities that include only the old and disabled. One study found that 30 percent of people would rather die than face such a fate. America’s elders are forced to contend with the widespread practice of segregation by age and ability. We know this type of segregation by the alphabet soup of euphemisms we all (myself included) have helped construct: CCRC (Continuous Care Retirement Community), IL (Independent Living), AL (Assisted Living), MC (Memory Care), SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility).
It is important to also appreciate that our society’s tendency to segregate people by age isn‘t limited to older people. We rigorously sort young people by age and ability and do so from the very beginning of their schooling. Not only are younger Americans isolated from elders, they are separated from people just a year or two older or younger than themselves, and in most cases from those with different abilities. This practice continues in higher education as well. While most universtities have increasingly opened their doors to older students, they also call these students “non-traditional.” They are only “non-traditional” because colleges and universities have been firmly established in the public mind as reservoirs of youth that include their own version of age-segregated living. Dorm life is understood to be exclusively for and about the young.
That is about to change.
I am embarking on a journey with a remarkable university partner – the University of Southern Indiana (USI) in Evansville — on a year-long pilot project aimed at creating a cultural transformation related to aging in community (Read the full release). With support from AARP, Indiana AARP and numerous stakeholders, we will pioneer a new (and very old) way of living. We call this new approach—MAGIC.
MAGIC stands for: Multi-Ability, multiGenerational, Inclusive Community.
Our goal is to bring together people of different ages, with different abilities and from different backgrounds, and look at ways to inspire and sustain a genuine human community.
We are honored to join them in this effort.
We will kick off the MAGIC Pilot Project this spring by co-designing a model smart home. This “MAGIC Model House” will serve as a demonstration home showcasing the latest accessibility design, smart-home connectivity and low cost modular prefabrication methods I’ve developed through my Minka Dwelling project. We designed the Minka as an affordable housing platform that can be adapted to meet the needs of people of different ages and abilities.
All work will be grounded in an authentic partnership approach with USI leaders, faculty, students and community partners using the open source Liberating Structures participatory design framework. These methods are open and accessible to anyone and we will share our findings, successes and failures to help others follow in our path. While the specifics of our journey have yet to be created, we have already worked together to envision a community where young and old live in close proximity, with a focus on fostering “independence together” through mutual support, social engagement, convivium (good food with good friends) and natural physical activity (like walking and playing).
In beginning this work, our first insight is, perhaps, the most important. We recognize that there is no straight line connecting where we are today with where we want to be. But such a path does exist in the ancient symbol of the labyrinth. I’ll let Jude Meyers Thomas (a certified labyrinth Instructor) explain the difference between a labyrinth and a maze…
Although they may appear similar (each has a complex series of pathways) labyrinths and mazes are actually very different. A “maze” is intentionally designed to mislead you and get you lost. Some mazes include multiple entrances and exits and many have dead ends. Inside a maze, a person has to make many choices about which way to turn. The labyrinth, in contrast, helps us (metaphorically) find our way. There is just one path and we follow it to and from the center of the labyrinth. The labyrinth’s twists and turns serve to remind us that, if we just keep putting one foot in front of another, we’ll find our way home. — Jude Meyers Thomas
MAGIC can also take us home
Throughout 2018 we will be sharing our MAGIC journey with you. There will be plenty of twists and turns but we know exactly where we are going. We are building a solid new foundation for creating independence— together.
We will challenge segregation by age and ability (for young and old alike) by bringing to life to the first of what will hopefully be many MAGIC communities spread across the nation. This is our past, and our future. Fortunately for us all, this journey begins in partnership with a courageous university and a shared dream of creating a community that embraces people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Photos from our first round of MAGIC planning workshops:
Learn more about the MAGIC project from our recent media coverage:
- USI to add ‘tiny’ house model on or near campus for students, older adults – Evansville Courier & Press
- A Home For All Ages: Can Tiny Houses Help Older People Age In Place? — WNIN Public Media
- Collaboration to test Dr. Bill Thomas’ ‘tiny house’ model – McKnight’s Senior Living
- USI Working on New Housing Model – Inside Indiana Business
- USI ‘tiny’ house model only second Minka ever to be built – Evansville Courier & Press
I believe that the MAGIC initiative will be successful and beneficial for the community by including diversity and empathy in our society. I think it will help members of the community to be more inclusive and to learn more about themselves through the eyes of others outside of their age group and their own social circle.
I think MAGIC is a great idea to bring people of different age groups together and not make anyone feel left out. I think that bringing these ages together can be great for society because we need opinions and lifestyles of all ages not just one group. Having these groups living in the same place can be very beneficial for all involved.
In today’s world, it is one thing to understand the issue of age segregation and another thing to actually do something about it. The MAGIC Program’s plans to bring two distinct age groups together through a combination of close proximity and social activities is a fantastic way to work toward fixing the issue of age segregation. I someday want to pursue a career in assisted living, long-term care, or nursing facility and seeing this project be put into action motivates me to bring what I learn to my future place of work. I’m proud of USI and I am proud to say that I’m a student of a community that is constantly working to improve the future of bringing those of all ages together.
I’m 78 and haven’t seen any improvement in the life of a senior so far. It’s pretty depressing. AARP seems to only represent the upper financial echelon of seniors.
I have no interest in finding fun retirement places to live or where to go on a vacation or how to invest my r’tirement income. I need help on how to survive on a low income that can’t even cover my medication costs each month.
Who cares about us?????
I think that the MAGIC project is a wonderful idea. I love how different people are able to come together and talk about different issues that they are facing. Hopefully we can learn to be more inclusive so that elders don’t feel so left out in society.
The MAGIC project will achieve great success in the future. As a “non-traditional” student at USI, I am excited to see what the MAGIC project will achieve. It is an important aspect to our society that we understand its crucial to bring all ages of people together. Age-segregation is instilled in us all at such a young age, and hopefully one day that will all change!
I’m so glad to be a student at USI and be able to learn more about this project. I enjoy the emphasis of bringing people together and how we can all benefit from these connections. I personally have always been around people older than me outside of school and have been able to connect to these people easily. However, this is not the case for many and often people stay to what they know and don’t venture too far from that. I love the idea of this project and getting to watch it develop. I also liked how Dr. Thomas compared the journey of accomplishing the goals of this project to a labyrinth. While it may have twists and turns, it is taking us to where we need to be. I can’t wait to see what all is accomplished through this project.
I think that is project is a great thing! I am so glad that USI is a part of this because I get to experience this project! I have really enjoyed learning about the MAGIC project in class and I can not wait to see it happen and see the results!
Your comment about the young and old living together really stood out to me. I our current social environment, I think this will be a tall task but I do appreciate the effort. In the past, you would see multiple generations living under the same roof and supporting one another. If the young left, they came back to support the family. The old were looked after and admired for their wisdom. This is a time that has long passed us and I believe caused most of the problems and issues in our country and the world. This is a great project and I do hope for its success.
I have enjoyed learning about the Magic Project. The age gap in today’s society is a real issue that needs to be adressed. I love that my school is apart of something so impactful and can reall make a difference. It is a great way to bring together all ages. Everyone should feel equal and not isolated.
I have really enjoyed learning about the MAGIC Project. I think that it is a great project bringing together all different age groups, backgrounds and abilities. I think this project has a good basis to bring together age and ability segregated communities. I also think that it is important that every age group have some understanding of those that aren’t necessarily there age. It is a goal that everyone belong and that no matter your age everyone has a purpose and everyone can work together to build a better environment. I think that this is what the MAGIC project is starting!
I think that this project is a great idea! I am excited to be attending USI and get to experience this project first hand. I agree that when the older students are called non-traditional that it is sort of insulting to them and may make them feel out of place on campus. I also think these “non-traditional” students often find making friends to be a lot harder on campus. I think us “traditional” students should try to make the “non-traditional” students feel welcome on our campus. Let’s get rid of our segregation on campus!
I think that this is a great way for younger and older adults to start working together again confidently. Hopefully this will show them what they are missing out on by not working together. When I first heard of this, I was not too sure of what it was about. Now that I have learned from the class I am excited to see how this changes the community.
I love that this project is for everyone and anyone and that there is no discrimination on any part. I love that it is trying to connect the younger and older population together.
I really enjoyed reading this article. I have already learned so much about the MAGIC project these last couple of weeks and I can’t wait to continue to learn more. I think it is great that Dr. Bill Thomas and his team have this great goal. That goal being, “Our goal is to bring together people of different ages, with different abilities and from different backgrounds, and look at ways to inspire and sustain a genuine human community.” I think it is great that they want to bring people of different ages together and I can’t wait to hear when they reach that goal.
I am incredibly excited about this project and the results! This project is highly innovative and will leave such a mark on this field! Not only will generations be brought together, this will lead the way to eliminate ageism and ableism.
I think this project is such a great way to get both young and older adults to work together. I saw it being built but wasn’t sure of what it was until now! I can’t wait to see what a great impact this has on the community.
The MAGIC project seems very interesting and I am excited to see what it can do in regards to age segregation. I believe it is going to help tremendously, with bringing old and young together, especially when looking at nursing homes. I also think it is amazing that USI is apart of this great program.
I have enjoyed following the MAGIC story so far. Affordable housing options that promote healthy living in community with one another is what we need more of. I’d love to learn more about how MAGIC allows for independence through smart structural design of its homes while also creating opportunity for strong community relationships. The physical footprint of MAGIC seems to be making great strides!
I believe that this is an amazing project that could change everything for younger and older generations. Instead of even having the terms “older” and “younger” everyone can be looked at as one and come together to really help each other out and truly learn from each other. No matter what someones age is or title we can all teach someone something and truly better each others lives in the process. With myself working in Long Term Care, seeing and being in these age segregated places day in and day out, I cannot wait to see something change this. I love my elders and they look forward to seeing me everyday, we already depend and help each other but if we weren’t segregated by a form of a “home” everything could be much more beneficial.
I found the statistics of “30% of people would rather die than face that fate” to be really surprising. I know that my dad always said he would rather we just shoot him than to put him in the nursing home. After being in the MAGIC course, I have come to realize why he has said that. There is so much negativity towards nursing homes and other communities because we as society has taught us to be against them and to think badly of the elder generation.
I think this is an awesome project that will help link the younger generation with the older generation. It gives me a sense of hope for the future of assisted living and nursing homes. I think that the labyrinth theory is the best way to describe how this project works – it is an excellent way to look at it.
I am looking forward to seeing how this project and USI will affect how people view aging in the years to come! I think that this is a great way to get both the young and the old involved to create a community that will benefit people of all ages.
I did not realize this is what was being built on campus, when I would walk by it everyday. Me and all my friends kept wondering what it was for and now I know. I think it is a very smart idea and hopefully it will create a lot of success on changing age segregation. I feel like this project should be known more about and spread around. I think this project is a great step in a right direction to show there are other options and there should be for everyone out there.
This MAGIC project will help end age-segregation in many ways and I think it’s really exciting that USI is apart of this project. By creating this model house it will help bring a variety of people in and hopefully help our community change to a less age-segregated place. This will bring people of all different ages, backgrounds and disabilities together to hopefully inspire others and become a better community.
I find the MAGIC project to be something that is very up and coming into society because it will help link the older an younger generation together! I also view the theory of this project being a labyrinth an excellent theory. I also feel like that is a great way to look at life.
I think that this project is an amazing opportunity to create more cost effective housing for elders and young adults. The knowledge and higher quality of life that can be gained from this project is amazing. It really helps people of all ages and abilities understand each other on a higher level.
I’m excited to see where this project leads and the use of a labyrinth to describe this journey was such a nice way at looking at it. It’s exciting to think about a community where older adults and younger adults don’t have to look at it as going somewhere to die.
When reading this article, it was incredible how reading the words, “would rather die than face such fate,” when talking about nursing homes and assisted livings. I related to that knowing how I have grown up seeing assisted livings and nursing homes tend to their patients and realizing I don’t ever want to have to live my life like that because everyone is segregated into their areas that everyone has a similar need. This program brings me hope that one day, a nursing home or any other kind of help does not have to be seen as worse than dying.
I am almost 80 and on a very limited income. I would like to move to Colorado to be close to my daughter but the wait list for HUD senior apartments is 2-3 years. She and her partner live in a very small house that would be very cramped for the 3 of us for 2-3 years. Regular apartments there are too expensive.
I don’t know what I’m going to do. Here in Georgia a 2 year wait is the best you can hope for.
I’m surprised that nobody here has looked into co-housing as a model for intergenerational living. Look at http://www.cohousing.org. This has been going on w/various approaches world-wide for several decades.
People are living in various sizes of owned or rented homes on the co-owned co-managed overall property (community decision making w/consensus processes,) green-design individual living places w/shared community center w/dining/cooking facilities & at least 2-3 shared meals per week (rotating groups of community members cooking & cleaning), often rooms available for visiting friends & relatives in the main community center, most w/large community rooms for parties, dinners & classes & smaller areas for movies/TV, library/wifi/computers, crafts, shared laundry rooms, workshops w/shared tools, open space, shared gardens & most allow pets; walking paths, near transportation.
Many are expensive, but many also have set-sides for low-income residents, & many also have houses/units available for rent or lease. Some are urban & others are more rural. There are even several cohousing groups started by & for older people focused on aging in place. There’s vast amounts of info available through the Cohousing.org website & magazine & directory.
Berniece Funk
82 Years Old
Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 17
“I was here at the beginning of the Dressing
Aid. In fact, I was the reason for it. It was
difficult for me to keep my balance to try to
get dressed, almost impossible. My loss of
coordination made it impossible to use the
hook and claws. It took me over an hour and
by the time I finally got kind of dressed I was
so exhausted I didn’t care whether I got out of
bed or not. Then she came up with this idea
and wow! What a difference it makes! I’m still
not able to stand very well but I can at least
get my pants on. Raising my arms over my
head is difficult for me to do but now I can get
my shirt on without having to do that! The
{Miracle Dressing Aid} has truly changed my daily life.
I am sorry I don’t understand what you’re talking about – must have missed a lot of information – but I am sooo glad things are better for you now!
yes a few simple dressing aids can make things easier and i love my “picker-upper” and you can get them that look like dinosaurs!!!
‘
I believe that ‘tiny house’ living for seniors is still segregated living. We need to bring the present senior centers, public libraries, community recreation centers and living accommodations together where seniors can associate with younger people. Ageism is still the major barrier for seniors. The Governments at all levels need to see the importance of seniors being active, creative and productive in their retirement years. We are still trying to prepare seniors to die comfortably instead of opening up the opportunities for both joyous and purposeful life journey’s.
I’m becoming involved in a faith-based effort to create multi-agency collaboration. Bill’s project and your comments are extremely helpful and vision-enhancing. Thank you!
Joe – you are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT to say the gov’t would rather see seniors die an early death than to make find ways for them to be incorporated into society and remain productive as long as possible. I would venture a guess this would also keep them healthier than dumping them in an “old folks” home.
Just for instance, think how useful and purposeful it could be for seniors if they could volunteer on pediatric floors in hospitals to read to children; hold and rock sick young children; and spend time with lonely children.
yes, i agree. there are ways that these tiny houses do help people of any age to cope with physical problems and they would not need to be separated from other ages or abilities.
Good luck with your project. I think your are right. We can benefit as a community by existing together, rather separate.
When I was a child my mother took a trip to Florida to see her brother. When she came home, she said, “I will never live there. It reminds me of the documentary that I saw on television where the elephants always go to the same piece of ground to die. Way too many old people, just waiting.”
i have a feeling that the elephants had a much better reason and do they isolate themselves away from the other herd. i thought they were very social….have to look that up…anyway, there seems to be little reason just to sit there and wait for something we don’t know when where are so many things here in our lives to still enjoy
i have a feeling that the elephants had a much better reason and do they isolate themselves away from the other herd. i thought they were very social….have to look that up…anyway, there seems to be little reason just to sit there and wait for something we don’t know when where are so many things here in our lives to still enjoy
The hyperlink for “Liberating Structures” leads to a GoDaddy holding page at http://www.liberatingstructures.org/TMpUZ/. However, there is a http://www.liberatingstructures.com that looks like it may be the intended destination?
Thanks!
Tim
Thank you for catching that Tim! I have updated the article with the correct link.
Jan – thank you for your suggestions. I have thought of that but not pursued it b/c I ‘m such a loner. However, it might be my only choice.
I am 77 and have been living in a rental house for 12 years. The landlord needs to sell so I have to be out by the end of April 2018. I can’t find anyplace to rent that I can afford. HUD and/or Section 8 will only consider GROSS income and not NET income. My GROSS is a little too high; my NET income is $17,300 b/c of medical insurance and out of pocket prescription costs.
The irony is that my disposable income is at the poverty level yet I can’t qualify for any rental assistance. What do people like me do????
Hi There Friend
I have this wild idea that there are others like you in your community facing the same or similar circumstances who might welcome the chance to “partner” with you to both your advantage.
I first thought of folks at your church or one nearby if you do not belong to a congregation. Do a few interviews and find a compatible “roommate” who may become a friend for life..
Suggest yo have a family member help you to structure the house rules and to get things like who pays for what in order. Also who to call if……problem arise.
Hope this helps you to find a solution. Failure is the option we let go. God Bless..
yes, house sharing can be a good solution for some, but it has to be done carefully! there are books and websites, and workshops on and off line to help.
i am hoping to find a house mate that is compatable, but have had some bad experiences, so be careful.
Dale Goodloe, look into state housing programs for seniors and/or all ages. Most states have state-funded agencies with local or regional offices that manage or fund housing based on income, not section 8 or HUD, with rents adjusted according to your net income. They don’t restrict you to size of apartment (or house or manufactured home, depending on the agency), but what you pay for a particular size/type will be on a pre-set scale based on income. I looked at some in Las Vegas, a high-rent area, and could qualify for 1 or 2-bedroom places in some of the places, with an income/medical expense similar to yours. The process to get into one usually involves lots of paperwork & a week or two for approval after you look at them and find one you want to move into, but the places are usually pretty nice.
Mindy and Jan, I have been facing a similar financial situation in Portland, Oregon. All of the income-based low-income senior housing here has wait lists of 1-3 years. Shared housing options are also overwhelmed and cost money! In addition, I have a husband who believes that I am the only compatible housemate for him… We need better options.