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Village Living for Help With Daily Tasks

Seniors can receive assistance and also feel a sense of security

By LeadingAge

A Village is a not-for-profit organization whose membership is comprised of older adults in a community who come together to help one another to stay in their neighborhood as they age.

Each Village member pays a yearly fee that the Village uses to provide support and services based on members’ resources, needs and preferences.

Villages rely on volunteers and paid staff members help them access the services they need to stay in a place they call home.

How does a Village operate?  

Each Village’s members select a board of directors that guides the organization's work.  They also depend on volunteers to provide services and assist with daily operations. Volunteers may provide transportation, cook meals  and connect members with local resources to help them.  In some cases, members can volunteer and "bank" their hours to "spend" when they need help themselves. Some Villages also hire staff to provide administrative oversight of programs and services.

Both volunteers and paid staff often approach local businesses, like plumbers and financial advisers,  to negotiate discounted rates for members.  These individuals  may also build strong connections with local aging experts, businesses, and relevant agencies and use these networks to connect members to the services and programs they need.  In addition, they may approach foundations to look for grant support for their work.

What services does a Village provide?  

Villages may offer services that address members’ daily needs.  These services include:

  •     Personalized transportation services.
  •     Meals prepared in your kitchen or delivered to your home.
  •     Referrals to professionals for evaluations and customized home health care.
  •     Routine housecleaning.
  •     Access to discounted home improvement services to keep homes updated to meet residents’ changing needs.
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Some Villages may also offer "concierge" services. For example, the Beacon Hill Village Model in the well-known Boston neighborhood provides:

  •  
  •     Reservations at local restaurants.
  •     Help with paying business, medical and household bills;
  •     Assistance with errands.
  •     Pet-sitting services.
  •     Travel adventures for individuals and groups, such as discounted trips to art museums, sports events and concerts.

 
What kind of costs are associated with living in a Village?

A Village’s yearly fee is dependent upon its location, service offerings and membership size.

What value do Villages offer older adults and their loved ones?  

Villages don’t just offer members access to discounted services. They also may present a sense of security that they can age with dignity and independence in their own homes. Just as important, they can provide an older adults’ loved ones with peace of mind about their family member’s safety and security as they age.  

LeadingAge
By LeadingAge
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