now that's what I meant by mushrooming! the more i think about this kind of thing, it seems like we start small: one person invites another to share space, then a third comes, etc. build (have) iit, they will come! ii can see these little pd pods leading the way to the truth........... ibby

Great idea. I like the idea of small localized PD pods springing up across the country. One can always find wealthy benefactors that would bankroll the project. One sumer a number of years ago I lived for seven weeks in Hope House a home for those under going treatments for cancer. I was part of a experimental PD treatment program. The building and operations were funded through a women's charity organization; mostly they were the wives of the physicians of the community. It was a beautiful old victorian which had been divided into about 10-12 rooms. There were two kitchens and large common room. With three or four bathrooms we all had to share. We paid Ten dollars a day. Rather then a daily rate we could set it up as a co-op in which you purchase a share. I would be a god send for those parkies without a caregiver.

ok, so lets pretend...

i get the house in divorce. it is a 2 story daylight basement with stairs. hard to navigate around. would definately need a make over. so.. do we call the tv show extrreme makeover? maybe HUD?

also, what about paying the mortgage? it is 1600 a month.. and i make 600 a month. charge rent? how much? and what about utilities? how about liability factor as a home owner? should some type of contract be drawn up? what if personalities conflict? how about a lease? renters insurance? if i made it into an adult living home, wouldnt i need some type of medical person on the premisis? what kind of zoning or permits? smoking? pets?

it is a very nice home on 1 1/4 acres very close to town. yet, as stated, it needs work. this is something i would love to do. yet, have questions.. and, there is the big IF i would be able to get the home

Here's a link to the good work being done in the Seattle area by Push for PD
(Puget Sound Housing for Parkinson's Disease)
http://www.pushforpd.org/

...but it fits here even better-

Having been immersed in real estate development for a iong time I had a project in ming that might be worth thinking about.

All over the US there are what were once small mom and pop motels that were stranded when the Interstate system was built. Typically constructed in the late 40s they lie on what were then major highways, are single story and built on a slab, and range from 25 to 50 units with each its own entrance. They were often called "Motor Courts" or similar.

There are thousands of these across the country. Probably a hundred within anhour's drive of any city. Many are for sale as they are "outmoded" for a culture taught that "new" is "better". They would be ideal for the purpose.

<added>
The key is to be able to have enough residents to make it affordable without it being TOO big.

Rick - about 4 or 5 years ago I spent quite a bit of time on the internet looking for exactly this kind of property for this purpose; there are lots of them. There are also retreat, ranch, camping and other vacation properties that have communal (eating, meeting) facilities and private sleeping and bathing quarters.

Location is the biggest hurdle (it would be hard for me to leave the West or West Coast, or live in a Red state - we all have our preferences), and it should be near good public transportation and a great MDS clinic. Maybe we could establish regional options!

I also spent time working with the Push for PD project I referenced in the above post (www.pushforpd.org) ; it evolved into care for those in need of more nursing care because they had to start somewhere; they are interested in expanding once established, but that would be too late for my situation now.

Harley your thoughts are generous, but I have a few concerns from talking about this a few years ago with friends. To me, it seems better not to own the place yourself. Then you have one person who may feel more responsible for anything that happens to the house. That would be unfair to you, and to anyone who may damage the house [like falling through the glass window].

I don't think anyone should be responsible for owning the house. Then the occupants are not responsible to the owner in any way either. We kick in our incomes and hire people to maintain the property [rented?] and take care of our needs. A non-occupant preferably would own it, unless its someone who wants to also provide care.

It has to provide for a lot of needs - be handicapped accessible. Lots of grab bars, wide doorways, big bathrooms with adaptive showering and toileting needs. People who would be interested will already have experience with falling. A mini gym with sauna and indoor pool would be a nice perk.

Little rock, can you tell us more? Location is definitely a problem...people want to see their families. I'm in Florida, others in Washington - opposite sides of the country. I could be tempted to go to California, or live in PA, which has beautiful old farm houses just minutes outside of Pittsburgh. But then there is winter...hmmm.

Problems can be overcome but people have to compromise. A more central location could help or could just isolate us all...lol.

just my two cents,
paula

Paula: Read my post. I think I've put forth some good ideas about
financing such an undertaking. little rock








Readmy

...and daydreaming

Suppose some national organization did this as a demo or test and allocated $25 million for it. Sounds like a lot of money but it is chickenfeed in many circles and they get most of it back anyway. Allocate $500,000 per state - the cost of one McMansion.

Find a site such as I described away from big cities' inflated pricing but still an easy drive to mid-size ones. This is not hard to do. I know of two myself and one is on the market and the other empty. In normal times it would be reasonable to expect to acquire and rehab forty units for the half million. On a slab with masonry walls, the roof can be replaced if needed. Use Habitat for Humanity as a model... ("Places for Parkies"? )

Knock out a wall or two to make the lobby into a dining hall - common area. End up with 30 units at $15,000 each? Sell them with financing and start another. If that price can be met that should leave enough in most budgets to provide a cook and bottle washer and a shuttle to Wal-Mart.

I am so happy to read all of the interesting responses to the idea of PD specific housing. Carey, what a fabulous group in Seattle! And Rick, so glad you stepped up to the plate w/ your real estate expertise and ideas. I'm thinking that we need someone with knowledge about forming a non-profit to receive funds that surely will pour in. I don't know much about how this kind of undertaking could be structured - imagine there are numerous ways to explore. I just know it is needed, desireable and doable.

Even beyond our obvious individual ongoing needs for housing, support, companionship and care, my vision of these PD Pods extends to their becoming learning centers for various people working toward cure of this condition. The pods would be ready made clusters of white rats with a great deal of information to lend to those who are interested in helping us. We have so much knowledge to contribute. KNowledge that could lead us out of pd darkness toward the light and freedom of recovery.

But first things first - where are these motor courts, Rick? Photos? - just for fun and to spark the imagination...good thinking Buzzz, Little Rock and all.


ibby