120: Aging Better Together: Why Community Living Improves Health, Longevity, and Security: With Janice Rivera

Aging well isn't just about fitness and nutrition—it's also about connection, community, and how we live. In this episode of the Girls Talk Healthy Aging Podcast, hosts Alli Kerr and Shawna Kaminski explore how community living and shared housing models can improve health, reduce loneliness, support longevity, and create financial security for women at every stage of life. What if aging well didn't mean aging alone—or broke? We're joined by Janice Rivera, a bold, creative, and adventurous woman who is reimagining what life can look like for women as they age. Combining her expertise as an interior designer and real estate agent, Janice created a spa-like co-living home for women—a modern, elevated approach to shared living that prioritizes affordability, safety, connection, and well-being. This conversation matters. Loneliness and social isolation don't just affect our happiness—they impact our health and longevity. Research shows chronic loneliness can reduce lifespan by up to 15 years, and for older women, the mortality risk is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Community isn't a "nice to have"—it's a health intervention. Think Golden Girls x 2, but leveled up. Janice lives in the home alongside seven women who rent private rooms, share expenses, and build meaningful, long-term relationships. The result is lower housing costs, reduced loneliness, increased safety, and a beautiful environment that feels like a retreat—not a compromise. Everyone wins: the women gain affordable, supportive housing, and Janice enjoys a free place to live, additional income, and deep community. Whether you're partnered, single by choice, divorced, widowed, or simply planning ahead, this episode introduces a rapidly growing housing model many women don't know about—but should. Tune in to learn: How co-living actually works Why this model supports both health and wealth What to consider if you're interested in living this way—or creating your own Why community may be one of the most powerful tools for healthy aging This conversation may change how you think about home, independence, and what's possible as we age—together. 💗 Follow Janice on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehomestylistgreenville/ _______________________________________________________________________ *Subscribe, Share, & Rate our Show. And follow us on social media:**   📷 Instagram: @GirlsTalkHealthyAging   Facebook Group: Girls Talk Healthy Aging: https://www.facebook.com/groups/330434366004030 🌐 Website: GirlsTalkHealthyAging.com   📧 Email: [email protected] Follow & Message Shawna on Instagram: @shawnakaminski Grab Shawna's book 'Lose Your Menopause Belly' and other freebies here: https://shawnakworkouts.com   Follow & Message Alli on Facebook & Instagram: Alli Kerr and @allikerrfitness (respectively).  Train with Alli at The Pink Physique in person in Macon, Georgia or Online here: https://www.thepinkphysique.com