What is a senior village?
Aging-in-place is a term that many have heard over the past few years to describe a way of senior living that does not involve moving into a senior retirement community. The seniors of today are a much more active and independent group plus innovative developments make staying instead of moving a more feasible idea.
One of the most innovative developments in senior living is the “village” model. Started in 2001 by a group of Boston seniors wanting to find a way to remain in their homes, the concept has grown to over 200 villages around the United States with another 150 in the formative stages.
The concept of continuing to live in one’s own home is not new. Finding ways to manage it successfully as seniors age, with possibly some health and physical limitations, is the challenge and this is where the village solution can be beneficial. The village is an organization that coordinates the delivery of services, supervision and social events that make staying in the home safe and healthy.
The process of creating a village starts with a group of visionary volunteers coming together and asking the question: “how can our senior residents maintain a safe and fulfilling life while remaining in their homes?”. Through surveys, conversations, and meetings, the interest is assessed. If there is sufficient interest, a membership organization is formed, and dues are assessed to pay expenses and staff who coordinate the delivery of necessary services and other items. The idea sounds simple enough, right?
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