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150: Lizbeth Heyer, President of 2Life Communities
Lizbeth Heyer is the President of 2Life Communities, an organization dedicated to creating affordable, supportive housing for older adults. Her career in affordable housing began as a tenant organizer, and she has held significant roles such as Associate Director of Public Housing and Rental Assistance in the Massachusetts government.
As they explore the increased demand for senior housing driven by the baby boom generation, Lizbeth stresses the importance of supportive community living over traditional senior housing models. The conversation expands to include the societal challenges of elder economic insecurity, the role of community in combating loneliness, and the strategic partnerships required for addressing health care needs within these communities.
Key Takeaways:
- Supportive Housing vs. Senior Housing: Lizbeth argues for a shift in mindset from traditional senior housing to supportive housing models that provide critical community and health supports for the aging population.
- The Opus Model: 2Life's OPUS communities offer an innovative approach to middle-income senior housing, providing affordable living without subsidies and creating vibrant community environments.
- Economic and Social Challenges: The episode highlights the economic challenges older adults face and how community living can significantly alleviate those pressures.
- Preventative Health Care: Understanding housing as a social determinant of health can lead to major cost savings and better quality of life for seniors by preventing unnecessary hospital visits.
- The Importance of Advocacy: Lizbeth emphasizes the need for ongoing advocacy and policy change to secure affordable housing and supportive services for all older adults.
Notable Quotes:
- “Choosing to move into supportive housing, choosing to share your life with others, is choosing success.”
- “We call it supportive housing and we call that aging in community, because community is the best anecdote to loneliness.”
- “The best preventative medicine is keeping people living healthfully, keeping them out of emergency departments, and unnecessary hospitalizations.”
- “We have a holistic view and have to care about prioritization and smart decisions that support the holistic need of housing.”
Resources:
- 2Life Communities Website: 2lifecommunities.org – Find comprehensive information about missions, projects, and ways to get involved.
- Book Recommendation: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande – A book examining the care of older adults and the medical treatment of aging.
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