Letter: New Canaan Must Resolve Senior Housing Issues

To the Editor,

For the last 52 years my wife and I have been privileged to live here in New Canaan. We have now been blessed with two of our sons returning with 7 of our grandchildren. As I am now 84 years old, that makes me a proud senior and the current subject of much debate here in town. I have spent the last 14 years working on the Boards of Getabout and Staying Put and, like many, I have become familiar with both the wonders and the ravages of old age – but what, pray tell, is to be done with me, now that I am old and gray –and less able to handle the 36 stairs in our home of 52 years? Although I may be slower, I continue to enjoy life and the rewards of living with my friends and family and contributing here in town.

Joan and I are not quite ready for senior housing, but I have seen so many of my wonderful friends and comrades who are; folks who have devoted countless years to making this community what it is for all of us. Yet, in their very final years we don’t speak of their needs and their past contributions, rather – we speak of our enormous compassion for them, “but, please – just not in my neighborhood.”

I can understand that approach and folks’ determination and right to protect the value of their property, but I cannot understand an inflexible position on either side that threatens to deny the needs of our seniors. 

It is time to fix this inequity, but to do it the New Canaan way, which means mediating – both sides -compromising and resolving the issues, finding a solution, and refusing to give up until we do. We owe it to our those in the past who made this town what it is, and we owe it to those of our dear friends who are currently, so desperately in need. In fact, we owe it to all of you, who are not seniors because, inevitably, you soon will be. 

Sincerely,

Philip Ives