Wakabadai Danchi
Social connection is an integral part of the human experience. However, it is not uncommon for older people to be socially isolated. Increased longevity can mean having more years to look forward to; at the same time, societies are arguably unprepared to support the continued engagement of older adults in later life. Post-retirement, older adults can find themselves on the periphery of society. Added to this, later-life changes in physical functioning and health status can challenge older adults’ mobility and thus their ability to maintain social connections. That said, loneliness and social isolation does not have to be the order of the day.
In fact, today’s tour of the Wakabadai housing complex showcased an intriguing example of a community that provides a quality life for older adults. Wakabadai supports social connection: older adults are actively engaged, particularly via volunteer service throughout the community; and older residents who live alone would frequently convene in communal spaces. Wakabadai also features a range of amenities including a grocery store, hair salon and bookstore. Prioritizing safety, vehicular traffic is separate from the pedestrian and bicycle paths. Built specifically for intergenerational living and thus intentional connection across generations, our visit to the Wakabadai housing complex was an insightful one.
Donnette Narine
PhD Student in Gerontology at UMB and UMBC