Planning for Home: Aging, Advocacy, and Housing with Dignity Part 6: Outside-the-Box Options
Planning for Home: Aging, Advocacy, and Housing with Dignity
Part 6: Outside-the-Box Options -- Creative Paths to Aging Well
Not everyone wants to move into a retirement community. Not everyone can afford a CCRC. And some simply can’t picture themselves in a “traditional” aging setup at all. Fortunately, there’s a growing movement of older adults exploring alternative, often more creative housing options; models that reflect values like autonomy, connection, affordability, and meaning.
Here’s a look at some non-traditional paths that are gaining momentum and might be a better fit than you’d expect.
1. Co-Housing and Intentional Communities
Co-housing is a blend of private homes + shared spaces, designed around connection and mutual support. Residents often share meals, gardens, tools, and decisions. Aging-focused co-housing communities (like ElderSpirit in Virginia or Silver Sage in Colorado) foster deep community while respecting independence.
Why it works:
- Strong sense of belonging
- Shared caregiving potential
- Interdependence without obligation
Considerations:
- Often involves a commitment to group decision-making
- May require upfront investment or development involvement
2. “Golden Girls” Style House-Sharing
Whether you're child-free, divorced, widowed, or simply sick of solo dinners, shared housing with friends or vetted housemates can offer emotional, financial, and logistical benefits.
Why it works:
- Lower cost of living
- Built-in companionship
- Can share in caregiving or household tasks
Tips:
- Write a “living together agreement” to clarify expectations
- Consider adding a neutral mediator or elder law attorney
- Explore matching services like HomeShare Online and National Shared Housing Resource Center
3. ADUs and Backyard Cottages
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also called in-law units, backyard cottages, or granny flats, allow you to live close to family or trusted friends without sacrificing privacy.
Options include:
- Converting a garage
- Building a detached unit on a child or sibling’s property
- Adding a basement or above-garage apartment
Why it works:
- Proximity with boundaries
- Potential rental income or caregiver housing
- Long-term flexibility (can flip who lives in which unit)
4. Rural or Small-Town Relocation
Some retirees are finding that moving to smaller communities, especially ones with strong public services and affordable real estate, can dramatically improve quality of life.
Look for:
- Local clinics and home health providers
- Senior centers or multi-generational hubs
- Access to transportation and grocery delivery
This approach may not provide built-in advocacy, but for independent-minded folks, it can offer peace, purpose, and affordability.
5. Becoming a “Resident Advocate” or Mentor
In some community models, especially those tied to universities, nonprofits, or faith-based organizations, older adults can live affordably in exchange for volunteering, mentoring, or supporting others.
Examples:
- University-based retirement communities (e.g., Vi at Palo Alto or Lasell Village)
- Intergenerational housing (where older adults help mentor or support younger tenants)
- “Nester” programs for students and seniors sharing housing
6. Rewilding Retirement: Van Life, Travel, and Rotating Homes
Some people choose mobility over permanence: living seasonally in multiple places, RV traveling, or rotating between friends and family members’ homes.
It’s not for everyone, but for those in good health, this lifestyle offers:
- Freedom from stuff and upkeep
- Adventure and autonomy
- Ability to choose where and how you engage
Caveat: this still requires a fallback plan, a strong support network, and a clear strategy for what happens if health changes unexpectedly.
Final Thought: The Power of Designing Your Own Path
Whether you’re a planner, a pioneer, or somewhere in between, the key is this: aging doesn’t have to mean giving up agency. You get to define what “home” means: physically, emotionally, and socially.
Some people find comfort in structure. Others need creativity and choice. What matters most is making decisions while you’re able, so you can live on your terms, with the right people, the right resources, and the right plan in place.
In our final article, we’ll bring the whole picture together: the emotional, financial, legal, and logistical pieces that support not just where you live, but how you live as you age.