Age Friendly Sustainable Communities: Aging in Place with Cohousing

The purpose of this study is to examine the function of age friendly sustainable communities with regard to aging in place with cohousing. The study compares and contrasts three Salt Lake County housing communities by assessing them through comparing and contrasting three common themes: socialization, safety and domestic economics. Analysis of qualitative observational data suggests that the three themes, when taken together, serve to develop social capital. More importantly, depending on the amount or balance of each theme, it will determine the level of social capital that will increase an older adult' s sustainability to age in place within a cohousing setting. Results of this study can be used to implement a housing model that has provably achieved selfsufficiency for Kelly Benson's older adult residents and has permitted them to age in place. Future research recommendation is to add the dimension o f well-being to the three themes in order to factor in the psychological benefits from social activity.