I just heard of a project which would build over 100 SMALL/TINY apartments. Another Senior ghetto!

Why must we segregate seniors when what they need to keep healthy and active is a neighborhood where they can interact with all ages, walk to the grocery store, post office and find available transportation? And where younger neighbors can be of assistance in an emergency and perhaps offer help such as taking them to the doctor or the store.

In a ghetto such as the one begin proposed where only the elderly reside there will be none of the give and take of a “normal” neighborhood. It is true that affordable housing is needed for seniors, but make it livable and cost effective. We should plan housing where seniors can access as many services as possible on their own, even when they no longer are able to drive.

I once visited an apartment complex in Nashua that was just what I had in mind. It was less than a block from the hospital, two blocks from downtown where bus service is available as well as stores, restaurants, churches with their many social groups and other forms of entertainment.  It was easy for a senior in a wheelchair to access an active community. Needless to say, there were no vacancies.

Instead we plan cramped quarters and confine a fast-growing segment of our population to loneliness and take away there independence. Virtual prisons. This is not cost effective.  “the longer seniors can function on their own in a friendly environment where they can reach most of the needs of their daily life, the longer they function without expensive paid care, the more money society saves and the better their quality of life.” We seniors are not afraid of dying. We are afraid of living too long. The way we provide for seniors in our community/neighborhoods is how we can insure the “golden” years become a reality.

Let’s stop building prisons for the elderly!

Although nursing homes are bad enough, they are necessary. But, to take away the pleasure of being independent is truly a crime that our society needs to investigate. Yes, there are assisted living facilities that can provide a varied environment, but the cost is prohibitive for those low income seniors being targeted by this project. It is just a matter of where we place our priorities when we choose locations for senior housing. We need to ask: what is essential and how do we obtain it?

A high rise for seniors was built near Catholic Medical Center, a bank, a grocery store and on a bus line. Great! But now the store has left the area and another group of seniors must adapt.  Planning boards need to make responsible decisions regarding what is available in neighborhoods. If we need laws, let’s make them!!  But do it before we all go broke caring for our fast-growing senior population which you will be joining soon. 

Helen Zarnowski, age 86

Seniors Count Coordinating Committee Member

Manchester Regional Area Committee on Aging