Independent Senior Living

Two years ago I needed to find a place to live 1400 miles away from home, so I naturally turned to the internet.

For work access, I needed to be near freeways in the Los Angeles area. Imagine my surprise when I found a brand new complex in the heart of the Burbank village. It offered quiet tree-lined streets, easy access to the 134 and 5 freeways, security, and, to top it all off, it was an artists' colony.

If you're an artist, you know that it's difficult in a regular community. There's something about us that makes us appear to be a little off-center to many people. I thought to myself, "Finally, I'll fit in."

As I mentioned in my previous review, the "Burbank Senior Artists Colony is a first-of-its-kind 55-plus senior housing complex; the $22 million concept was developed in partnership by the City of Burbank , Meta Housing Corporation, and More Than Shelter For Seniors® (MTSFS). I have lived here since October of 2005.

There are 141 units in a four-story building above a parking garage. The garage offers secure, gated parking and the building, itself, is very secure. When you walk in the door, you're immediately struck by the beauty of the lobby. Art is on every wall, some created by the tenants, some not, but the overall effect is beautiful.

There is, however, something special about this place, something that doesn't exist everywhere and that something is More Than Shelter For Seniors.

According to their web site, "MTSFS develops and delivers innovative on-site programs designed to improve the quality of life of thousands of residents of affordable senior housing. The goal is improved health and prolonged independence, delaying the need to move to more expensive and restrictive levels of care, providing substantial savings to state and federal tax-payer-supported funding programs, as well as to seniors' families. MTSFS programs foster empowerment among residents-keeping them actively engaged in life, physically and mentally healthy, reinvigorated with a sense of purpose and given the opportunity to act as sages and mentors to our younger generations." http://www.mtsfs.org/

Amenities at the community include all the usual, like a swimming pool, exercise room, and pool room; but there are so many things about the place that makes life easier for us. For instance, along the hallways there are discreet rails, and every so often a comfortable place to sit, just in case we get tired. There is a full-service laundry room on every floor, as well as a garbage chute on every floor. There are two elevators on one end of the building and one at the other end, and, like the entire facility, they have all necessary extras to service the vision impaired. Additionally, BSAC is pet friendly, because pets are so important to our sense of wellbeing. There is a pet deposit required, and extra rent for each pet.

The Clubhouse is a large community room with a full kitchen, a large plasma television, a grand piano, and lots of comfortable seating. Every Thursday morning there is a free find-out-what-happened-this-week breakfast to introduce new tenants and have some nice time together and talk about up-coming events, and there are many.

Most of the programs are offered at no cost to the residents and range from Creative Writing, to Yoga, Poetry Reading, Life Drawing, Musical Jam Sessions, Guided Meditation, Acting Classes, and the list goes on. The programs are structured to nurture and encourage our creative sides."

The community has been the focus of several television programs and has received much publicity. All of the pieces appear to be in the right place to make the concept work. The wonderful people of MTSFS continue to do everything in their power to make it a success.
There may be many who say that it IS a success, but I don't.

First, there is nothing requiring that a person be an artist to rent in the Artists Colony, and probably 50% of the tenants don't even care about art. Many don't speak English. Those who aren't artists expect to be entertained by those who are, but the artists who do the entertaining are not paid. Those who are artists but not famous get little attention, while those who have a reputation get lots of publicity, becoming more famous. It is clearly to their advantage, but they are in the minority.

Secondly, there seems to be no one in charge. There is no chain of command and no structure, just over-heated rooms full of matriarchs vying to be the boss. This leads to unseemly conflict, to put it mildly, which makes many tenants stay away from the offered programs. Although the artists' colony concept is a good one, it is difficult to manage when nobody is in charge. Trying to control a building full of such people would be like attempting to herd cats.

Lastly, and perhaps of the most importance, is the age of the tenants. Many are in their mid-seventies to late eighties. I'm sure that you've heard the phrase "60 is the new 40." Americans are not only living longer, we are living younger. There was a time when people in their fifties were considered old. Not today. I don't have the answer to the problems for the Burbank Senior Artists Colony, but maybe the lower age limit should be raised to 65. Fifty-five is far too young for this group.

Americans are staying at work. Many people now in their 60s are planning to continue working as long as they are able. They saw their own parents retire and go to seed instead of enjoying what used to be called their twilight years. Statistically, a woman reaching the age of 50 who does not have diabetes or Cancer can expect to live to be 90. Why, then, would people 55 years of age consider themselves Senior?

Perhaps this innovative and positive concept can be a success if the existing problems are rectified. Also, if it were tried in a different part of California like Marin County , it could have a better chance. True artists are by nature rebels, but not the ones in the Burbank Senior Artists Colony. Maybe they're just too tired.

As for me, I still haven't found a place to fit in.