Grey Velcro Shoes

Abstract

Baby Boomers are on the brink of retirement. According to the US Census Bureau projections, the number of people aged 65 and over will more than double in the coming decades, growing from 35 million in 2000 to 72+ million by 2030 22. They grew up in post-war conditions and the Cold War “duck and cover” practices were ever so present. Boomers never forgot that the world as they know it could be gone in a flash. The Cuban missile crisis and the John F. Kennedy assassination taught them to live the moment – carpe diem. As a result, boomers in their late 30s and throughout their 40s pursued personal satisfaction rather than concentrating on ordinary concerns such as making a living. “Sex-Drugs-and-Rock’n’Roll” became the motto and the first cases of so-called ‘midlife crisis’ arose. The Y Generation laughs when their parents are trying to figure out the newest smart-phone and gasp when dad comes home with the new 45th Anniversary Edition Camaro. Staying young, active and of sound mind is of utmost importance to the modern Boomer. They want to prove to their spouses, children and most importantly to themselves, that they can and will do better at age 65 than their parents did.

What will be hard for them, is to realize that change is coming. And not only that it is coming and they have to cope with it, but they have to learn to thrive in it. With every retiring baby-boomer, it is becoming more and more clear that their idea of retirement differs tremendously from their parents, the transitional generation. The idea of retirement homes and assisted living in the traditional sense, sounds almost offensive to most boomers and they will shake their head in disbelieve that one day they might not be able to climb their steep, switchback staircases anymore. The majority of Boomers do not want to leave their home to live in a restrictive retirement community, but they wish to continue to live unassisted, close to their familiar surroundings and family. Move to a new home – fine. Move to a home where someone tells me when to take what pill – shoot me first. The challenge they face is to stay engaged and live their lives to the fullest.

Early Bird Specials + Gray Velcro Shoes is an investigation of the current built environment and addresses how it entraps the elderly within it, and the need for a reinforced connection within the community. It questions the issue of ABSTRACT

differences in generations and how their attributes can be utilized to bring the community together, instead of isolating each generation. This research seeks to integrate the elderly back into society as a functioning element, creating a give + take relationship. This new connection will not only benefit the community, but also better the healthcare aspects of the elderly. Psychological issues such as depression resulting from isolation play a great factor in the mental and physical health of any generation 8. By re-integrating the elderly back into the community, they will have a function and purpose - not feel lonely and isolated and will stay active and healthier longer. This will improve medicare and medicaid issues, help those without insurance and will keep more elderly out of long-term-care facilities.

The building typology has to accommodate three scenarios - flex space, co-housing and medical use. This mixed use community condition is centered within a suburban Warren, Michigan neighborhood. This will only be for elderly that do not feel comfortable living on their own in their house, but do not want to leave the neighborhood, the known and their memories.