Is a Senior Village Coming to a Town Near You?
Virtual senior villages help seniors stay in their own homes longer. We’ve been talking about these grassroots organizations since 2010, but were they just a fad—products of idealism that couldn’t sustain themselves? Well, according to a recent article in The Boston Globe, so far, they’re still going strong. In fact, more are on their way.
Beacon Hill Village has grown to nearly 400 members throughout Boston. Their annual dues – $925 for a household, or $640 for a single person – get them a wide variety of support services, from drivers for doctor appointments to hiring screened repairmen. It has spawned 78 other “village’’ groups across Massachusetts and the United States, and similar organizations overseas, in Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands.
And a recently formed national organization – the Village to Village Network – is also in talks to open 150 more villages across the country.
Granted, the article doesn’t say how many villages have closed or are in danger of doing so.
If you’re interested in starting one yourself, you can get tips on how from these OurParents articles:
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Leigh Ann Otte is a freelance writer who specializes in health and aging issues. She covers finding and paying for senior care for OurParents. If you have any questions about this post or need help finding senior-care options for a loved one, call 1-866-483-4896 to speak with a care advisor in your area.
