development with 112 units, and theyfilled upalmost
immediately. The concept wasas appealingas itwas
radical. Although some of the residentshad profound
disabilities, none were called patients. They were all
simplytenantsandweretreatedassuch.Theyhadprivate
apartmentswithafullbath,kitchen,andafrontdoorthat
locked(atouchmanyfoundparticularlyhardtoimagine).
Theywereallowedtohavepetsandtochoosetheirown
carpeting and furniture. They were given control over
temperaturesettings,food,whocameintotheirhomeand
when. They were just people living in an apartment,
Wilsoninsistedoverandoveragain.But,aselderswith
advancingdisabilities,theywerealsoprovidedwiththe
sortsofhelpthatmygrandfatherfoundsoreadilywith
his family all around. There was help with the
basics—food, personal care, medications. There was a
nurse on-siteand tenants had a buttonforsummoning
urgentassistanceatanytimeofdayornight.Therewas
also help with maintaining a decent quality of
life—havingcompany, keepingup theirconnections in
theoutsideworld,continuing theactivitiestheyvalued
most.
Theserviceswere,inmostways,identicaltotheservices
thatnursinghomesprovide.Butherethecareproviders
understoodtheywereenteringsomeoneelse’shome,and
that changed the power relations fundamentally. The
residentshadcontrolovertheschedule,thegroundrules,
theriskstheydidanddidn’twanttotake.Iftheywanted
tostayupallnightandsleepallday,iftheywantedto
haveagentlemanorladyfriendstayover,iftheywanted
not to take certain medications that made them feel
groggy;iftheywantedtoeatpizzaandM&M’sdespite