What to try next

The question, as I see it, is this...

If we can't provide for our seniors, or if we don't like the care provided by the public 'systems', what is it going to be like for US, when it comes our turn?

And, what can we do about it now...while we are still active?

One thing for sure, governments are on the side of ANYONE who can reduce the costs of senior care to governments!

So, if we prefer holistic or 'alternative' or 'self' care and responsibility, and we can come up with economical ways to promote it, governments will be only too glad to help...as long as we don't rattle the 'medical' chains too loudly.

That's the beauty of people taking responsibility for their own well-being...they bring fewer 'problems' with them!

In last night's post, which I lost, I explored enough possibilities to excite myself into believing that this may be the avenue by which we can change the whole of society.

We might even solve the homelessness question, and maybe even reduce the costs of basic good health, for everyone.

We would do it by envisioning what we want for ourselves, and making sure it exists, as soon as possible.

I want...

...A tiny, cosy straw-bale cottage,

...Organic, home-grown food and clean water,

...Community activity centers where we can create, and share in the community at large, as long as we want to, usefulness, and,

...Discussion, reading, visitors, and a voice...freedom.

...Additionally, I want as much assistance as I truly need...recognizing that I also need to exercise myself.

Writing this list, I immediately see ways to implement these things, and simple things we could do to streamline the operation.

One thing, at random, clothing...we could have a simple garment that anyone may wear, in season, and add to it individually. This would simplify the chore of laundry.

Another, community eating would simplify that chore, as long as there were excellent, whole-food chefs and no 'portion-control'...and as long as residents had already established good food consumption patterns, BEFORE they came.

One more, if residents came healthier, there would be fewer services required to keep them clean and well. A huge saving. They would also be able to participate longer in maintaining the facility. Another huge saving.

We have to reduce the services 'bought' to serve seniors. The best way to do this, to my mind, is for the seniors themselves to serve themselves, in health, vigor, and interest.

It is the good sense seniors can BRING to a facility that will guarantee its success.

The place I will start is an office in my town where they administer government funds designated for seniors interested in projects that will assist seniors.

How about a 'sprouters' guild, where we make the meal of sprouted grains and seeds needed to revolutionize the bakery industry?

How about locating 'heritage' properties, never polluted, and suitable for community gardens?

How about 'show homes' of the most basic, and inexpensive, straw-bale construction? Get an interested architect to design them, maybe oversee the building. Then he or she could sell the plans, plus oversee the buildings, for income. It isn't just the big projects that can make an architect's fortune.

How about a brisk business in 'garage sale' items? Where 'dealers' specialize in the best available of certain goods and recycle them...NOT a general second-hand store. One item - leftover yarns, which can be turned into amazing art through 'scrumbling', freeform knitting and crochet...easily done, even by groups. No one can make a mistake.

I buy leftover yarns for as much as $10 an armful, sometimes $2, sort it into a rainbow, package it, and resell for $.25 per ounce. There is an ocean of leftover yarn out there. (Plus, sellers always keep the yarns they love; and yarnworkers always want new yarns from retailers. Everyone wins.)

Ask me, if you wish.

An additional benefit...

...Youngsters who do handwork develop brighter brain power. Manual (hand) dexterity is directly linked to good mental health.

I can't think of any skill or interest a senior might have that wouldn't contribute to community well-being...as long as there were room to showcase it.

Collecting yarns, I have learned that the most important part of the operation is space. It just doesn't make sense that each individual should have to find or buy the space in which to store and share their specialty.

It would be far better to have community-owned and maintained space. And, in a town, many places. For example, I couldn't handle all the leftover yarns in a few square blocks, let alone the whole town!

Many doing the same as I do, is mandatory...and many places means that most could walk to the nearest.

Anyone else want to contribute ideas?

Fledgling

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