Comparatively speaking, that's how long our American culture has made segregating elders into "senior lifestyle communites" in what feels like the norm, at least for a certain demographic of the elderly. Just a shade over fifty years - the first "active adult" community opened on January 1, 1960.
That's all - just a reminder that we have separated our older family & friends for a short period of time. In the 1960s, their benefits targeted the active olders who wanted great weather, little to do in the way of home upkeep, a pretty terrific way to live their golden years. Fifty years later, the beneficiaries are as much their children & younger relatives, who have less time & energy to spare. And that is not going to change. In 1960, even 1970, 2-income families were rare. By 1980, they were more common. Today, they are usually a necessity.
I'm just concerned about the dynamics. Wishing... Not sure what I am wishing. But something different is out there to make life more enriched for my older friends & less exacting on the youngers who love & care for them.
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