That interview was on my mind yesterday during a daily walk. I frequently take the sidewalk that runs by Dixon House, one of my favorite landmarks in the neighborhood. For years, the Spy worked with Dixon House to tell its unique story and the stories of its residents. As I passed it this time, I found myself thinking less about its history and more about whether that history had something to teach us right now.
While for many decades Dixon House has been home to seniors, many in their 90s and even early 100s, that wasn’t always quite the case. Its predecessor, the delightfully named Home for Aged Women of Talbot and Caroline Counties, was operating by 1903 and initially housed five widowed women. By 1910, it had relocated to Higgins Street, on property donated by the Dixon family. The core concept was straightforward. These women did not need large homes or anything resembling a nursing home. They needed safe, affordable places to live, with private rooms and shared spaces. Private space was modest, but community space was generous.
Over time, Dixon House evolved to serve a much older population, and it serves that purpose remarkably well. But I’ve begun to wonder whether its original idea might be just as useful today for a somewhat younger generation.
Imagine a version of Dixon House for people in their late 60s, 70s, and 80s who are still independent but no longer want the expense and responsibility of a large house, and who cannot afford a private retirement community. The private quarters might be more like well-designed hotel rooms, while residents shared a good kitchen, dining room, library, garden, and guest rooms. And if we’re borrowing from Dixon House, there should certainly be a porch.
New Yorkers have understood this bargain for a long time. People accept relatively small apartments because much of their quality of life exists outside their front door. Downtown Easton could offer something similar. A smaller private residence might be perfectly adequate when the library, Avalon, Academy Art Museum, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks are all within walking distance.
Clear rules and a well-defined charter would be essential. Residents would see themselves as joining a community, not just renting a room, and some level of participation might be expected, such as tending a community garden or helping with meals or events, though not so much that it became a commune.
This would not be assisted living, and that distinction matters. It would create affordable housing for independent adults before they need that level of care. Residents could trade a larger house, greater maintenance, and higher expenses for something that becomes increasingly important as we age: more community.
There are, of course, roadblocks. The Talbot County Senior Citizens Task Force was created specifically to address senior homelessness and housing insecurity, and local discussions have already touched on the zoning and infrastructure limits that stand in the way. A shared residential model like this would likely need a variance or a new use category under current Town code, since it fits neither a single-family home nor a licensed care facility. State rules also draw careful lines around what counts as assisted living, so any new model would need to be clearly designed as independent housing rather than care.
But none of those problems seems like a good reason not to explore the idea. We tend to talk about affordable housing as though every solution has to be another apartment complex or conventional subdivision. Maybe there is another possibility for people who are perfectly willing to live with less private space in exchange for a better quality of life.
So perhaps Easton should do more than admire Dixon House as an old and successful institution. Maybe the Town, local nonprofits, developers, housing advocates, and a few interested residents ought to sit around a table and ask a simple question: could we build another version of it for the next generation?
The curious part is that Easton figured out a version of this more than 100 years ago. It may be time to revisit it.
9 Responses
Thank you for editorial.This is a frequent topic of discussion among my friends from several different circles. The concept is so easily adapted/ modified to accommodate Zoning laws and the wants/needs of participants. There are several communities all over the world, including the US, utilizing various models for independent/interdependent/cohabitation. Perhaps your editorial will be an impetus for a core group of people to explore this reasonable, rational approach to an easier, less expensive means to enjoy/spend our later years.
This makes so much sense. A very good solution to the increasing problem of an aging population that can no longer deal with the upkeep on a large house and yard.
Excellent idea! How about the current hospital site? Walkable, residential, and quiet. Just need a grocery store within walking distance or a small one on site. Though with the delivery services available from various grocers and Walmart, that might not be as important as it used to be. And, definitely front porches!
My Mother Natalie loved her time at the Dixon House. We even did an interview with The Spy. It’s a wonderful place.
https://talbot.spycommunitymedia.org/senior-nation-an-adult-son-and-aging-mother-find-a-solution-at-dixon-house/
What a great idea! How can we support the implementation of more homes like the Dixon House?
If walking past the inviting porches of Dixon House inspired the Spy’s “country editor” to look to this successful assisted living landmark for answers regarding future options for senior residences, it’s who you meet and what you encounter inside Dixon house that gives convincing substance to such musings. Charming as it is, Dixon House’s successful longevity and respect in the community have not been because of architecture alone. Dixon House is transformed daily from house to “home” because of excellence in its executive leadership, its unparalleled, compassionate staff, and its stewardship by a truly dedicated board.
Models of “shared housing,” “co-housing,” and “intentional communities” for the elderly are already wonderful success stories around the country. It well may be Talbot County’s time to explore such alternatives. Regarding any potential “roadblocks” which may be encountered in such exploration, roadblocks are intended for safety. So, yes, existing rules and laws will have to be revisited and, perhaps, changed to accommodate a new era of law compliant congregate living. Most importantly, two quality of life issues for our aging population can be addressed with these models: Exorbitant financial pressures and loneliness.
We at Dixon House know that such models can work.
Catherine R. Seeley
President
Dixon House Board of Directors
The Dixon House was incorporated in February 1902 and has been a staple of the Easton community for over 124 years. Since 1902, over 390 seniors (13 of those were centenarians) have received services and have called Dixon House home. I often share that years ago the Dixon House was “assisted living ” before the term became well-known and part of the eldercare continuum of care. Early residents received assistance with cooking, cleaning, laundry, home maintenance and even received needed medical oversite from the nurse in the “infirmary.” Wakes were held for residents in the living room and if needed burial was arranged for the plots owned by Dixon House in the Spring Hill Cemetery.
Today, the Dixon House remains a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation providing much needed assisted living services for seniors in a warm home setting. Currently, 19 residents call Dixon House home, with the average age being 88. Each resident has their own private room with a private bath, receive three home-cooked meals daily, housekeeping services, maintenance services, laundry services, nursing services and 24-hour companionship by trained staff. Our goal is to continue the unique tradition of caring for our residents and being a vital part of their story.
two locations in downtown Easton come to mind, the ex Health department site on Hanson St and a portion of the property that now houses the hospital on Waahington St that will eventually be redeveloped.
The bigger question is the term Affordable – this word is loosley used and seldom defined by numbers.
These units could be done as one room that would include a small but functionable kitchen, living area and sleeping area plus a bath and closet. 600 to 800 Sq. Ft