Just before I began writing this the lights instantly flicked off
with the TV screen simultaneously going to black. Just as quickly the
lights and TV came on again before I could reach for my chair-side
flashlight. Well, I wondered, what was that all about ..... car hit a
light pole? ..... squirrel or rat on the transformer? ...... power
company activity? Later, a TV news story reported an earthquake in So
Cal at a sufficient distance that I didn't feel any jolts or shaking
effects, but think that must have caused my brief power outage. Just
one more unpredictable event in life.
* * *
Now,
I'm hearing on the news a possible third political party candidate is
having his supporters rev up activity to be ready in case he decides to
join the Presidential Primaries fray. He'll probably need to do so in
March if he makes the leap. Would he be a savior or a spoiler I
wonder? All in due time.
* * *
This past week I attended an afternoon social sponsored by REAL Connections (click on link),
a group whose progress I've been following since before their official
July 2012 launching. This is a membership program created especially
for people 60+. The purpose is to enable people to " live in place"
independently, in their home, apartment, or mobile home. Members form
a "village" or a community of mutual support -- the village
organization is a "go-to" trusted resource to facilitate enjoying
vibrant living by staying connected with others.
People
of all ages can volunteer and local organizations can join in serving
the older adult community. Some of the membership benefits include a
single, trusted source to call for information, referrals and resources;
access to a network of pre-screeened service providers, transportation,
"personal assistant" type convenience services, social activities. I
haven't chosen to join to date, but increasingly doing so is attractive.
Most of those present as members or prospects like me
at the casual social appeared to be Boomers. Some volunteers were
younger including a lady with an elder friendly dog and pup. I met and
talked with a nurse who decided she would join and coincidentally a
couple other nurse volunteers. A gentleman member there, active at the
organizational level. too, mentioned he also had an application
pending with the retirement community where we met, noting he was on a
three year waiting list, laughingly adding that by doing so he was
hedging his bets.
Our local Community Senior
Services has included REAL Connections as one of our areas resources for
ageless living. REAL Connections is associated with countrywide Village to Village Network (click on link)
where you can view a U.S. map, explore whether there's a Village near
you and obtain information to aid in starting a Village in your area
should that be a possibility you might want to promote.
The village concept would be good if it has people of like minds about helping and being helped. It would not be possible where we live now with everything so far away but our big decision when we get to that point will be leaving this place and getting closer in.
ReplyDeleteThis is just one option for us seniors and doesn't work for everyone, but am pleased it's available here now. Yes, it is easier if members live in close proximity as where the concept started at Beacon Hill, but can be successful in a wider geographical area, but distance needing to be covered is certainly a critical factor. Rural areas would be more challenging, but if the members were a spoke on the wheel fanning out from the organizations centralized site, over time it could become workable (though not for all like yourself) with enough participants as member volunteers, independent volunteers, support of other various town/country commercial/governmental senior service groups. Weather conditions in some areas could well impact group functionality, too.
ReplyDeleteFor the person living alone, as the nurse I mentioned above described challenges associated with vision treatment, having someone available to drive her to or from some medical appointment, or other situations where a taxi is not an option i.e. hospital won't discharge a person to cab after colonoscopy are some simple examples.
This group would have been a boon for my mother years ago and helped me better assist her when I was sandwiched. What matters is that we each have to assess what services are available, choose what works best for our situation and, in some circumstances, maybe promote for establishment of services needed. For some. options may be few or non-existent, but narrowing that group is important.
The Village concept is a fine idea. Our community has some elements in place through our homeowners association. Most members (about 300) are linked via internet. So we can easily ask for referrals to service providers.The drawback is that replies to questions are not filtered by any central authority, so one must analyze recommendations carefully to determine which are most valid and useful. In addition, a monthly association newsletter lists residents available for baby, animal, and house sitting jobs and some who offer yard maintenance and handyman services. Your post has me looking into developing what we already have into a full-blown Village service. Our community has many elders, and we must drive at least 5 miles for most services.
ReplyDeleteSounds like your community is well-situated geographically for a village-type arrangement. In fact, you already have many features in place and maybe can simply expand on them in some way. I'll be interested in hearing what may evolve for you along those lines in the future.
ReplyDeleteInteresting information. I am not familiar with the 'Village' concept as presented here in your post. I went to the link you furnished and currently no one has established one here in Arkansas according to their map.
ReplyDeleteSomething similar I suppose is where an elderly homeowner opens their home to one or two other elders to move in and then through that group establish something similar I suppose to the village concept where they can have caregivers and the like take care of more than just one individual at a single location, therefore sharing the costs of homecare.
Believe it or not that arrangement has met with opposition by city codes and zoning laws. The city contends that even though it is a
private home, if it moves in other individuals and then hires or solicits other individual to supply services to those living there it is no longer a private residence but something akin to a nursing home. That's really ridiculous in my opinion.
This Village concept works a little differently than the individual home with residents residing together, sharing financial expenses, taking care of each other you describe, but is similar in some regards. The living arrangement you refer to is an option for some, but sounds like they better take care to check local ordinances.
DeleteThe VTV groups likely vary somewhat with each other and would be unique to each grouping influenced by member residences proximity to each other, senior/city/social supports in their locale. Am sure governmental coordination is an important factor in setting up a group.
My familiarity with REAL Connection Village is that members live separately and there is no financial involvement with or responsibility for other members unlike the type home you describe. REAL Connection members report whatever their assistance need is to the central office who coordinates notifying members choosing to be volunteers and/or vetted community volunteers to select what, if anything, they can help with. Over-simplifying, some member needs may require referring to vetted commercial, social or medical service organizations. Each member chooses whether or not to engage any of those vetted commercial groups if beyond competency of volunteer and pays for costs independent of REAL Connections whether for some sort of repair, nursing, or whatever.
For example, some members may not have family or friends available or capable of helping with various tasks. Having a volunteer change burned out ceiling light bulbs would be helpful since using a ladder is no longer safe as that 69 yr old nurse I mentioned decided was true for her. For others, there could be household issues that might or might not require hiring a plumber.
I guess if you're interested in this concept you could promote the idea in your Ark. area. I wonder if that map is current, 'cause I couldn't find the REAL Connections group on their map either and it's been in existence for several years.
Life would be so much easier for us if there were some groups around to offer occasional help. Everything is 'Social Services’; Social Services is extremely cash-strapped and therefore pretty hopeless. I do use the help of others for my husband but I am having to self-fund for any and all assistance. Luckily we can still (just) afford it but what about people who are less secure financially and less able-bodied than I am?
ReplyDeleteOld age can be a huge problem.
Yes, there are a number of tasks volunteers can help with which we otherwise might have to hire having done -- gets expensive. You likely need some help for yourself, too, as caregivers definitely do. That assist can mean a lot beyond what friends or family can provide. For some of us our older friends may have their own needs, or may have declined in number. Family may live far away. Aging certainly presents its own set of issues with which to cope.
DeleteSounds like a Village type group in your area would benefit you. If there are others such as yourself where you live, perhaps forming a Village could be a possibility involving Social Services (they're a supporting group for our REAL Connections and likely are for those other VTV groups, or at least serve as a resource.) Has taken several years to move forward here.
This sounds wonderful. My mother is lucky because she has us and my brother looking out for her. I really feel sorry for those elders who don't have a support network to help out. This village idea sounds very helpful.
ReplyDeleteYes, family members available to help one another and older parents is the ideal. This day and age as people scatter across the continent and around the world, or even if they remain close to home, responsibilities in children's own lives may be such they're unable to provide all the attention or help parents need. My own situation is my children live across the continent and I don't want to move back to where there's winter cold and snow -- been there, done that.
ReplyDeleteFor many elders forming a new support network where they live becomes an important activity. Some old friends still survive but they may all live distances away. Many think it could never happen, they have so many friends, but as they age family, friends -- younger, contemporary and older -- may gradually depart life. These village groups can be really beneficial for older individuals and couples to "live in place" a concept I was dedicated to helping my mother achieve and now want for myself.
Checked this out, and apparently there is a village here in my zip code. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested in what you learn about the village in your area if you should decide to explore, then share your view of what membership offers.
DeleteInteresting stuff. I'll check out the sources that you've posted but I am opting to stay in my house for as long as I am able.
ReplyDeleteThat's what the villages are all about -- helping us be able to stay in our house.
ReplyDeleteGot an email, this morning. No idea why they contacted ME! Below is the message.
ReplyDeleteCop Car
Serve Seniors in Your Community as a CAREGiver
If you have a heart for helping elderly adults, consider becoming a Home Instead® CAREGiverSM. We're looking for caring, compassionate people to provide home care and companionship to seniors in their homes.
• Training provided
• Flexible schedules
• Current job openings available
Search CAREGiver Jobs Near You
or call 888-890-0364
The Home Instead Senior Care® network is the world's largest provider of home care services for seniors. Local Home Instead Senior Care offices employ approximately 65,000 CAREGivers worldwide who provide basic support services that enable seniors to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible.
Maybe they think you need help! heh heh I'm not familiar with this Home Instead network, but have not had reason to check into caregiver resources for hire for many years. This could be a resource to explore for those able to hire assistance.
DeleteWhat a fascinating topic. Interesting that you say most of the people doing this are Boomers. I am older and a tad curmudgeonly about being involved in these complicated endeavors.
ReplyDeleteOur plan is to stay put if we can, but we have to consider the strain on our children. We have a condo in the city where they live and would move there if necessary.
A relative here says her daughter would not mind coming over here to Hawaii and looking after us all, but that is not something we could count on.
I might be a bit curmudgeon-like myself. This wasn't an event most present members attended so I expect they have a number of older generation folks, but Boomers, of course, are the generation coming into retirement age they want to attract as they expand. I expect Boomers are exploring retirement options and some may be beginning to encounter some aging issues -- including care needs of aging parents, one of a couple becoming a caregiver, personal care issues, household needs interior and exterior, some needing options since they have no family nearby, and friends are moving away and/or dying -- just about any scenario we can think of.
ReplyDeleteA village like this can be an option for all income levels wanting or needing to stay in their home but requiring varying degrees of assistance -- whether it's changing ceiling light bulbs 'cause they shouldn't be on a ladder or other needs.
thank you
ReplyDeletealways
for your meaningful
comments
and encouragement
to me.
You live in a beautiful place.
I am where I wanted to be
but it is lonesome
at times...
Thank your for your nice verse! I think you are in a lovely setting, too -- restful, spirit nourishing, stimulating for contemplation -- but I can appreciate the environment can be lonesome at times. Hope blogging friends who care about you help alleviate the feeling.
DeleteJo, I checked out our local county-wide village and found it costs $500 for me to join and $250 more to add David. Not practical for me now. Besides we have something more informal in my neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know. The one here is $50+ per month but thought that would include a spouse. I haven't joined as not cost effective presently for me either given my need for very limited services from the many they offer. Would have to re-examine the practicality in the future based on my needs then for comparison with other options available in my area. I still like the idea, but a more informal arrangement, which might be at less cost, might work better for me, too, and many of us. Glad you have such in your neighborhood as I don't. Maybe I should go door to door and try to enlist neighbors for such, but there have been so many changes where I live -- including many much younger, years from retirement, with my contemporaries gone for one reason or another.
Delete