Americans are facing a demographic turning point: by 2030, all baby boomers will be older than 65 and by 2034, older adults will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. Now, more than ever, it has become critically important for adults of all ages to embrace a purposeful approach to aging and senior living, and two Northeast Florida advocates have joined forces to explain why.
“Our ability to thrive during life’s second half depends greatly on our being proactive about our future needs and opportunities,” said Joanne Hickox, founder of the twenty-six year-old Northeast Florida nonprofit, Seniors on a Mission and visionary behind a new fifteen million dollar adult living development called G3 Village. “If people see their best years behind them, they probably are not going to finish very well because you can’t finish well when you’re looking backward.”
Hickox and her Seniors on a Mission 2025 Ambassador Susanna Barton, a longtime local writer and author of the book, Grand Plans 2.0: How to Mitigate Geri-Drama in 20 Easy Steps, are taking this message on the road. The pair is speaking to local groups about the importance of mindful aging preparation given the current demographics, and why innovative service oriented housing is a key part of the equation. Their presentation is aptly titled, “Grand Plans for Purposeful Living.”
“To my knowledge nothing like this exists in the United States. There are international communities with similar offerings but we would have the first one of its kind locally here in Northeast Florida, said Hickox.
G3 Village is an entirely new, self-sustaining, intentionally designed community for middle income older adults that offers a unique blend of independent living, community engagement and wellness-focused amenities.
Barton, a member of Mayor Donna Deegan’s subcommittee on elder care She says, “As we began reflecting on our independent missions to serve older adults in Northeast Florida, it became clear how well aligned they were not only in terms of planning but considering where and how well we live as we age.”
Developers expect to offer thirty to thirty five modest, but comfortable residential units on the ten acre agricultural property. Monthly fees in the rental community include utilities and organic, healthy meals, starting at twenty six hundred dollars, Hickox said.
“I’ve been working on this project for three years and it truly is a labor of love and I’m going to see it through. We have the enthusiasm from zoning commissions in five different counties about G3 Village and all have agreed that it would be good for the future plans of their county.
Hickox had identified properties for her project and is excited for the partners who are interested in participating to make her dream a reality.
“I’m looking to find the first forty people who might be interested in living this type of lifestyle,” said Hickox.
Other attributes that make G3 a standout in its approach to senior living, include:
- It’s designed for seniors by seniors, without one step-up in the village to mitigate falling risks.
- G3 will have clusters of organic, raised garden beds and an aquaponic and hydroponic greenhouse so almost every herb, fruit and vegetable needed will be grown on site.
- An agriculture design around the village, including a rotational grazing plan that will enable all who live there to enjoy lamb, pork and chicken raised on organic pastures.
“It is important to consider a senior living experience that promotes health, wellbeing and community,” Hickox said. “We must maintain meaning in our lives by engaging in service that has purpose.”
Barton, who is working toward a Master of Science in Gerontology degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, said science shows how embracing an intentional approach to senior living, developing strong community ties and finding purpose in life are foundational to aging well, physically, socially and emotionally.
Barton says, “It behooves all of us to start imagining the possibilities, accepting our future and beginning authentic conversations about how we will plan and pay for it.”
For more information on scheduling a presentation with your group, contact Susanna Barton at susannabarton@me.com. To learn more about Seniors on a Mission, visit seniorsonamission.org.
