About this episode
"The U.S. is facing an aging population, a shortage of caregivers, a dearth of affordable housing, and an increase in social isolation that threatens wellbeing," wrote Clare Ansberry in The Wall Street Journal earlier this year . It's true. Covid-19 only deepened an existing crisis for seniors , who were the most susceptible to both the virus and prolonged social isolation. A solution is desperately needed, but in the words of Ansberry , "some think what we really need is Magic." She's referring to an acronym, coined by geriatrician William Thomas , that stands for "Multi-Ability, multi-Generational, Inclusive Co-living." The idea is to build neighborhoods where "young and old, families and singles, live side-by-side, supported by inclusive design, technology, and neighbors." If that sounds like a good idea, it's because people were designed to live in intergenerational communities. It's a model that reflects a much older, much deeper design: the institution of the family . Not just parents and kids, but extended families are part of God's original design to protect and care for one another , especially as we age. With the breakdown of the family , that's something we've lost sight of. It's worth getting back.