The Coterie Abode Brand

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This isn't about leaving a legacy; it's about living a legacy. 70% of older adults say they want to create a positive legacy. What if… we meaningfully connect the young and the old – particularly the far ends of the age spectrum which are often the most vulnerable, least powerful, most marginalized – in strategic action to transform their own lives and the world? 

Research tells us that social isolation of older adults can result in more health issues and a 50% higher mortality. When elders are vitally connected with the young, this can shift dramatically. We know frail elders and those with dementia are particularly isolated, as are their caregivers. What if we shift the way we see our elders – not as dependents but as teachers, not as being "at the end of the line" of a lifetime but as being part of the bigger circle of life?

Too many elders are isolated and marginalized in our society, and too often we fail to tap into the tremendous social capital they can offer. A sense of belonging and purpose is a basic human right.

Ecologists tell us that a young tree grows better when it's planted in an area with older trees. The roots of the young tree are able to follow the pathways created by older trees and implant themselves more deeply. Over time, the roots of many trees may actually graft themselves to each other, creating an intricate, interdependent foundation hidden under the ground.

 The whole forest becomes healthier, stronger, better. 

More Elders Than Ever Before 

Worldwide, for the first time in history, and probably for the rest of human history, people 65 years and older outnumber children. By 2030, 1 in every 5 Americans (and by 2036, 1 in 4 Canadians) will be over 65 years of age.  

An increasingly older population brings both challenges and opportunities for individuals, organizations, and communities. 

We believe the opportunities far outweigh the challenges. 

The demographic shift can be a doorway into a myriad of transformative opportunities for all generations and for entire communities. We can create better, stronger communities. We can strategically meet the needs of elders AND be strategic in utilizing the tremendous and transformational social capital they offer

 (wisdom, skills, experience) to the benefit of all. 

. As we explore a much longer lifetime, we have to be careful not to split old age into two polarized images – the "ill-derly" versus the "healthy, wealthy, and wise." This feeds both a false pessimism and a superficial optimism. To create genuinely satisfying, realistic images of older adulthood, we have to understand its complexities. As we create new life maps, there are no prescribed role models to follow, no guideposts, no rigid rules or obvious rewards. "Aging" is much more than a problem to be solved. It's about our vision of what it means to live a life.