It Takes A Village
It is a reality of our times that many people, especially seniors, are moving from their
homes to assisted living centers despite not wanting to sell or lease their homes.
They need support and do not have family in the area to provide it. To address this
issue and the needs of the residents there is a national effort to take part in the so–called
Village movement, which links neighbors together to help one another remain in the homes and
surroundings that they love as they get older. A recent AARP survey found that 86%
of respondents 45 and older want to remain in their current residences as long as possible.
 The concept began in Boston’s Beacon Hill in 2001 with a non–profit called Beacon
Hill Village and there are now more than 56 Villages with another 120 in development to provide
access to services that often force seniors to give up their homes and move to a retirement
community. It is sometimes referred to as the "light bulb moment" – a
bulb burns out in a hard–to–reach location and the resident cannot change it without
help.
Many participants join as a way to give aid and end up receiving aid years later.
This typically involves a non–profit corporation to administer the services at an annual
cost for those who receive services.
We would like to assess the level of interest in this type of support in Crystal Tree for
both providers and users. Please send a note or call Rosemary Schrank at 349–3133
if you would like to participate.
Mark Burns
President, CTHOA
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