ElderSpirit Community

A community of mutual support and late-life spirituality in Virginia

The ElderSpirit Community in Abingdon, Virginia, is a living example of a community of mutual support and late life spirituality. Founded in 2005, it is the longest-established mixed-income, mixed ownership elder cohousing community in the United States, and has provided an important model and inspiration for other groups. The community currently consists of 29 homes, a common house, and a spirit center.

ElderSpirit’s principles are

• members believe that spiritual growth is the primary work of those in the later stages of life. Members encourage one another in the search for meaning in life and commitment to a spiritual path.
• members develop face-to-face relationships through which they offer and receive support. They express their needs and convictions, listen to each other and strive to act responsibly, considering their good and the good of the other.
• support from the community empowers members to help each other and to contribute service to the wider community according to their abilities, interests and opportunities.
• conscious that over-consumption by persons in wealthy countries threatens the earth’s living systems, members seek a simplified lifestyle that reflects a respectful relationship with the environment.
• leisure, recreational activities and travel contribute uniquely toward refreshing the mind, body and spirit. The arts form an integral part of the community. Members share and develop their gifts and talents.
• the word “health” comes from the same root as “heal,” “whole,” and “holy.” Recognizing this, members pay attention to nutrition, rest, exercise and social interaction.
• the common goal of the cohousing neighborhood is to offer care to one another in the later years. It affirms home care and dying at home.
• sharing of goods and services is the norm in the cohousing neighborhood.

ElderSpirit welcomes enquiries via its website.