Eleven years ago, I talked my mom, dad and grandmother into moving into a big house with me. None of us used a walker or a wheelchair then, but we all imagined there’d come a day when we would. The house is easier to get in and out of than the one in which I grew up. It has wide doorways and halls, big bathrooms all on the same floor, and has an open floor plan, plus enough space that we can all escape from each other when we need to. Little did I know, we were about 10 years ahead of the trend that is now called multi-generational living. This trend actually offers West Virginia a new talent recruitment and job development angle:
Retrofit and build well-planned, beautiful universally designed homes and communities to attract and retain valuable talent (people of all ages).
It makes sense that families would combine their financial and human resources these days. It worked for us! With tight budgets; the need for affordable childcare; and an increasing need for assistance in the home with daily chores and healthcare, more and more families are designing multi-functional living spaces in which multiple generations can co-exist beneficially, without compromising style, space, convenience or functionality. According to Generations United, the most common multi-generational household includes three generations: – typically one or more working-age adults, one or more of their children (who may also be adults), and either aging parent(s) or grandchildren.
Because home is where the heart is, we decided to go all out for the 10th Anniversary Create West Virginia Conference. With so many of us hurting in so many ways, we wanted this conference to offer the most practical information that anyone could use to make everything we use to live and learn better. We decided to collaborate with some folks who could bring laser focus to improving our rural places and small towns, classrooms and businesses. Turns out, we found a variety of people who are super focused on rural places and small towns, and they agreed to come to Charleston to talk, teach, share and learn! We’ve partnered with Universal Design Today and the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development to bring the best insight, knowledge and research home, so we can make the most of our places, spaces, programs and potential.
Check out the growing list of speakers coming to town. You’ll see familiar faces too, because we’ve asked some friends and neighbors to enlighten us, but make it quick, during our Future Sessions. We’re still organizing those sessions which will happen throughout the conference. We’ll announce the lineup soon!
AARP/WV is pulling out all the stops on Monday, May 15 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. They are graciously sponsoring the reception on the evening of the opening day, inviting everyone who is into “quality of life” issues to the grand kickoff celebration. We love this partnership, because AARP is not just about people over 50, they are about improving life for ALL AGES. They still offer some kicking benefits for people 50 years and older, but it’s great to know they are pushing for better design of everything–homes, streets, schools, policy–so we can all reach our potential at every age. Register for the conference and you get a couple of drink tickets for free.
Psst: Want a discount? Choose the option:
“A conference organizer told me I could register for $99” to get the “friends and family discount.” If anyone asks you about it, tell ’em Sarah sent you!
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