Good Living / Housing / By Sarah Jackson
HOUSING SPOTLIGHT
→ Vibrante Where: 5455 Woodlawn Blvd., Minneapolis ▲ This 1941 home was remodeled to include four rooms with ensuite bathrooms to create a Golden Girls-style living environment. Photos courtesy of Vibrante
Opened: November 2016
ROOM FOR RENT
Ages: 55 and older
→ A Golden Girls -concept home will encourage women to age together near Lake Nokomis
Aging in place is the intended path for many seniors, who want to stay in
the homes they’ve known, sometimes, for decades. But aging in place, especially after retirement or the death of a spouse, can come with serious downsides, too, including a lack of social engagement. Giant retirement communities, on the other hand, despite offering numerous activities, can sometimes leave seniors lost in the shuffle, especially if they’re introverts. Roxanne Cornell of Minneapolis, a longtime clinical social worker, has seen firsthand the loneliness and isolation older adults experience with aging. “I was struck by how few choices were available,” Cornell said. “They could either live alone in their own homes, or they could move into an independent- or assistedliving environment.” Cornell also watched her father age alone in his own home with paid help. “He was very lonely and isolated in the end, especially since some of us lived across the country,” Cornell said. 28 / May 2017 / Minnesota Good Age
Openings: 4 Number of units: 4 private, one-bedroom suites with en-suite baths. Each suite is unique; one includes a private deck overlooking the downtown Minneapolis skyline, another includes a private sitting room with a fireplace. Cost range for a single member: Rent is $2,700 to $4,450 (depending on the suite), plus a monthly membership fee of $350, which includes concierge services, social activities, twice-monthly housekeeping and professional property management. Property owner: Vibrante is owned and managed by Roxanne Cornell of Minneapolis, who lives in the neighborhood, but not on site. Info: 612-816-6940 or vibranteliving.com