The New York Times has a good piece on the Grass-Roots Effort to Grow Old at Home with a handy sidebar giving contacts for aging in place communities across the country.
“A few neighborhood-based, relatively inexpensive strategies can have an enormous effect,” Mr. McCallion said. “If people don’t feel so overwhelmed, they don’t feel pushed into precipitous decisions that can’t always be reversed.”
For inspiration, the nascent groups looked to Beacon Hill Village in Boston, which pioneered the approach six years ago. Beacon Hill’s 400 members pay yearly dues — $580 for an individual and $780 for a couple, plus à la carte fees — in exchange for the security of knowing that a prescreened carpenter, chef, computer expert or home health aide is one phone call away.
I wrote about this new phenomenon that started on Beacon Hill in Aging at Home last year.
It's cheaper by far, and desired by a great majority of the elderly. The biggest question will it work in the suburbs, outside an urban neighborhood?
Posted by Jill Fallon at August 16, 2007 8:09 AM | Permalink
I find it amusing that the author of the piece considers it a "minor problem" if one can't get to the grocery store. I wonder how "minor" the problem would be for her if she was unable to get food easily...
I can see how this idea would work well in an urbanized setting. In the burbs and the rural areas, it would be nearly impossible - just because of logistics.
My parents are able to stay in their home because my sister lives with them. If she were to move out - it would be necessary for them to move to assisted living. Neither drive, one is legally blind, the other deaf, and they live in the suburbs - nearest grocery... 3 miles away not walkable even if they wanted to do it.
It's certainly something to consider as one gets older - a move to a more urban setting to make it easier to live without being able to get around quite as well.
Posted by: Teresa at August 16, 2007 11:18 AM