Senior cohousing
What Is Senior Cohousing?
Senior cohousing is a purposefully designed housing model in which independently owned or rented private homes for older adults are clustered around shared common spaces. Residents voluntarily gather to interact, and support one another. Unlike traditional retirement communities or nursing homes, senior cohousing is resident-driven, with participants actively involved in community planning, governance, and daily life. These communities combine independence and privacy with the benefits of collective support and meaningful connection.
According to advocates and researchers, senior cohousing helps address limitations in traditional eldercare models like social isolation, strained healthcare systems, and the desire for purpose in later life. Experts describe cohousing as a promising alternative that adds valuable social infrastructure alongside physical housing. Allowing older adults to build close-knit support networks that function like family, fostering strong friendships, mutual care, and daily opportunities for meaningful engagement.
Overall, senior cohousing stands out as one of the best living options for older adults because it uniquely blends independence, social connection, mutual support, and shared purpose. It addresses critical challenges associated with aging like loneliness and declining health. All while empowering residents to live full, engaged lives within a community that looks out for one another.
Why Senior Cohousing Is a Strong Housing Option for Seniors
1. Reduces Social Isolation and Improves Mental Health
One of the strongest findings in the research literature is that cohousing decreases isolation and strengthens a sense of community among seniors. Studies show that living in intentional cohousing settings is associated with greater social participation, mutual support, and a stronger sense of belonging, supporting mental well-being as people age.
Loneliness and social isolation are recognized health risks for older adults, linked to higher rates of depression, heart disease, cognitive decline, and mortality. Living among neighbors who regularly interact and offer social support can significantly mitigate these risks.
2. Enhances Quality of Life and Daily Support
Research also suggests that senior cohousing positively impacts quality of life and physical health. Residents enjoy shared activities, informal support networks, and a collaborative environment that encourages activity, engagement, and purpose. In cohousing, neighbors often assist each other with daily tasks. Tasks like transportation, shared meals, or social outings, helping older adults remain independent for longer.
Senior cohousing is particularly well-suited for people who want a middle ground between living alone and moving to institutional care. One study found that residents reported maintaining or even improving quality of life in environmental, psychological, and physical aspects after moving into senior cohousing.
3. Supports Aging in Place with Community, Not Isolation
Aging in place means to stay in one’s home and community as long as possible. However, remaining socially connected and safe can be challenging in traditional single-home living. Senior cohousing integrates private homes with shared communal life, giving residents autonomy while maintaining regular social contact, shared meals, and neighborhood support systems. This model supports mobility, daily activities, and emotional well-being more effectively than isolated living.
Unlike institutional settings, cohousing does not replace formal caregiving when needed, but it provides a layer of informal, mutual support that reduces reliance on external services and can ease the emotional burden of aging alone.
To ensure communities are well-prepared from the start, The Cohousing Company offers Study Group 1: Aging Successfully, a 10-week online course that teaches how to initiate and guide a successful senior cohousing community. For twenty-five years Study Group One has gained significant momentum as a meaningful and practical course to help participants explore how cohousing offers a supportive and empowering alternative to conventional housing.