Raging in Place

Gen-x aging resources and community

Tag: Generation X

  • New Zealand’s Reimagining of the Retirement Home: How Changing Demographics Transformed the Face of Aged Care

    New Zealand’s Reimagining of the Retirement Home: How Changing Demographics Transformed the Face of Aged Care

    A Look at the Evolution of Senior Living

    The New Zealand aged care sector is undergoing a major transformation in response to changing demographics and societal expectations. As the population ages, there is a growing demand for diverse and innovative care models that meet the needs of older adults. This blog post will explore how New Zealand is reimagining the retirement home, focusing on its evolution from traditional institutional settings to more personalized and community-based approaches.

    Traditional Retirement Homes: A Model in Decline

    For many years, retirement homes in New Zealand were primarily institutional settings that provided basic care and accommodation for older adults. However, these models are increasingly being seen as outdated and inadequate, as they fail to address the diverse needs and preferences of today’s seniors.

    The Rise of Community-Based Care

    In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards community-based care models, which offer a more personalized and flexible approach to aged care. These models often involve partnerships between healthcare providers, community organizations, and families, and can take a variety of forms, such as:

    • Assisted living: Provides support with daily living activities, such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation, while allowing residents to maintain their independence.
    • Home care: Provides services to older adults who wish to remain living in their own homes.
    • Village living: Creates communities of older adults who share common interests and support each other.

    The Role of Technology in Aged Care

    Technology is also playing an increasingly important role in the transformation of the aged care sector. New technologies are being developed to help older adults stay connected, active, and independent, such as:

    • Telehealth: Provides remote access to healthcare professionals.
    • Wearable devices: Monitor health and activity levels.
    • Virtual reality: Can be used to provide immersive experiences and social interaction.

    Reimagining the Retirement Home: A New Vision

    The future of aged care in New Zealand is likely to be one that is more diverse, personalized, and community-based. Retirement homes will need to evolve to meet the changing needs of older adults, and technology will play an important role in this transformation.

    The Impact on Generation X

    As Generation X begins to reach retirement age, they will be the first generation to experience the new models of aged care. It is important that they are aware of the options available to them and that they are able to make informed decisions about their care.

    Conclusion

    The New Zealand aged care sector is undergoing a major transformation in response to changing demographics and societal expectations. The future of aged care is likely to be one that is more diverse, personalized, and community-based. By reimagining the retirement home, we can ensure that older adults have access to the care and support they need to live healthy, active, and fulfilling lives.

  • Speedcubing: My Brain Needs All the Help It Can Get

    Speedcubing: My Brain Needs All the Help It Can Get

    Alright, I’ll admit it – my attention span is shot. I start one thing, get distracted by something shiny, and the next thing I know, I’ve fallen down a YouTube rabbit hole for three hours. So, when I heard about speedcubing being good for the brain, I thought, “My brain needs all the help it can get!”

    Now, I’m not going to lie, I’ve never actually solved a Rubik’s Cube. I mean, I’ve tried, but I usually end up just making it more of a mess. But apparently, speedcubing isn’t just about being the fastest (which I’m definitely not). It’s about challenging your brain, improving memory and focus, and maybe even feeling that “flow” state we all miss from our younger days.

    Brain Boost for the Forgetful

    Remember when we could remember everything? Phone numbers, song lyrics, where we left our keys? Yeah, me neither. But speedcubing supposedly helps with memory, and I’m all for anything that might help me find my glasses more often. Plus, it’s supposed to be good for problem-solving and hand-eye coordination, which, let’s be honest, could also use a tune-up. As the BBC points out in their article “Speedcubing: The retro hobby that can help boost happiness levels,”  these cognitive benefits can have a real impact on our daily lives.

    The “Flow” State: Remember That?

    Remember that feeling of being totally absorbed in something, where time just flew by? That’s the “flow” state, and apparently, speedcubing can help you get there. I don’t know about you, but I could use a little more “flow” and a little less “where did I put my coffee?” in my life.

    Community and Competition (Optional)

    The cool thing is, there’s a whole community of speedcubers out there. You can find groups online, share tips, and even compete if you’re feeling brave (I’m not). But even if you’re just doing it by yourself, it’s still a fun way to challenge your brain and maybe even feel a sense of accomplishment for once. The “Senior Cubers Worldwide” online group mentioned in the article “Providing Opportunities for Seniors: The Caring Cubing Community Holds Second Class” sounds like a great place to connect with others who are embracing this hobby at any age.

    So, Should You Try It?

    Even if you’re as easily distracted as I am, and you’ve never solved a Rubik’s Cube in your life, why not give speedcubing a shot? There are tons of resources online, and who knows, you might even find it’s the perfect brain boost for us scatterbrained Gen Xers.

    Worst case scenario, you have a colorful cube to fidget with. Best case scenario, you improve your memory, focus, and maybe even find your keys for once. And hey, if you actually manage to solve the cube, you’ll officially be smarter than me!

  • Soufflé Recipes: A Blast from the Past

    Soufflé Recipes: A Blast from the Past

    Remember those airy, delicate soufflés that were all the rage back in the day?
    I’m not sure when they fell out of fashion, but I recently stumbled upon a collection of soufflé recipes from the late 90s (yes, you read that right!), and it brought back a flood of memories.

    Remember when we were younger, and everything seemed possible? We thought we could conquer the world, and our soufflés would always rise to the occasion.  

    Well, maybe not always.

    But there was something magical about those puffed-up culinary creations. They were impressive, elegant, and a bit intimidating, just like us Gen Xers back in the day.  

    If you’re feeling nostalgic or just want to try something different, check out this blast from the past: http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~mjw/recipes/souffle/index.html  

    Find recipes like :
    Chestnut Souffle

    Grand Marnier Souffle

    Maple Syrup Souffle

    Orange Souffle

    Souffled Cherry Soup

    It’s a treasure trove of soufflé recipes, from classic cheese to more exotic flavors like chestnut and Grand Marnier. Who knows, maybe soufflés will make a comeback, and we’ll be the cool kids again.

  • Generation X and the Appeal of Pocket Neighborhoods: Aging in Place with Community and Connection

    Generation X and the Appeal of Pocket Neighborhoods: Aging in Place with Community and Connection

    As Generation X approaches retirement, many are seeking housing options that offer both comfort and community. Pocket neighborhoods, with their focus on human-scale design and social interaction, are emerging as an appealing choice for this demographic. These thoughtfully designed communities, often featuring clusters of smaller homes around shared green spaces, provide an ideal environment for aging in place while fostering a sense of belonging and connection.

    Seattle, a city known for its vibrant culture and stunning natural beauty, is also home to a growing number of unique and charming “pocket neighborhoods.” These small-scale communities, often clustered around a shared courtyard or green space, offer a refreshing alternative to traditional housing developments. One of the leading architects behind this movement is Ross Chapin, whose firm has designed several notable pocket neighborhoods in the Seattle area.

    Chapin’s architectural philosophy centers around creating spaces that foster social interaction and a sense of belonging while respecting individual privacy. His designs often feature small, clustered homes arranged around a shared courtyard or common green space, encouraging residents to connect with their neighbors and build a strong sense of community .  

    Here are a few examples of Chapin’s pocket neighborhoods in the Seattle area:

    Third Street Cottages – photo from Ross Chapin
    • Third Street Cottages, Langley, Washington: Located on Whidbey Island, just north of Seattle, this was Chapin’s first pocket neighborhood. It comprises eight cottage homes on four standard single-family lots with detached parking and a shared garden . This project helped demonstrate the viability of pocket neighborhoods and sparked interest in this type of housing.  
    • Danielson Grove, Kirkland, Washington: This community features small, well-designed homes with private gardens and a shared common green . It showcases Chapin’s ability to create intimate and livable spaces that promote both community and privacy.  
    • Greenwood Avenue Cottages, Shoreline, Washington: This project also features small homes with private gardens and a shared common green . It exemplifies Chapin’s focus on creating pedestrian-friendly environments that encourage interaction among residents.  
    • Umatilla Hill Neighborhood, Port Townsend, Washington: This neighborhood covers 2½ blocks and features a mix of garden-courtyard cottages, and small- and medium-sized houses . It demonstrates how pocket neighborhood principles can be applied to a larger scale while maintaining a sense of community.  

    These are just a few examples of Ross Chapin’s work in the Seattle area. His firm has been involved in numerous other projects, including custom residential designs and larger mixed-use developments. Chapin’s influence on Seattle’s urban landscape is undeniable, and his pocket neighborhoods offer a compelling vision for community living in the 21st century.

    If you’re interested in learning more about Ross Chapin’s work and pocket neighborhoods in Seattle, be sure to visit his firm’s website and explore the resources available on pocket-neighborhoods.net. You can also find articles and blog posts about his work online, including a piece on Paul Dorpat’s Seattle Now & Then blog 1 .  

    1. Seattle Now & Then: The Chapin Block

    pauldorpat.com/2011/11/26/seattle-now-then-the