Staying Put – More Info

village movement icon  VILLAGES

seniors on a hike‘Village’ Movement for Aging Seniors Faces Some Challenges The Village movement brings together older adults who want to age in their homes independently, but believe it will be too hard to do so unless they have some support. These virtual villages link independent living seniors together. Members offer support to each other as they are able, and ask for support when they need it through an organized system. – KQED “State of Health”

Senior villages help people stay independent What started as a group of neighbors – formed to help with a variety of tasks from changing a lightbulb to driving each other to the grocery store or doctor’s visits – has expanded to include home repair referrals, social events and even partnerships with health care providers to allow members to receive special attention and attend educational programs. — SF Gate

With Help Here and There, Preserving Independence in Old Age Most Americans over 65 will eventually need help with the so-called tasks of daily living — eating, dressing, bathing, shopping and the like. But with family members spread all over the map or unable to be full-time caregivers for other reasons, the need for new and better options will only increase.— The New York Times

neighbor shoveling snowA Community Time Bank A program called the Reach Service Exchange Network began operation in the fall of 2010, powered by a grant of $1 million from the federal Administration on Aging.The network functions as a time bank. Montpelier residents of all ages join for $25 and get access to a site listing requests and offers: driving, pet care, reading aloud, help with grocery shopping, computer tutoring sessions and more. “We ask all members to provide services to the network,” explained Daniel Hecht, the network’s director. “We think people of any age or level of ability can contribute.”— The New York Times

senior watching TV in the middle of a lot of actionOn Aging (audio/podcast) A wide variety of aging-related news and topics are covered. – NPR

senior and caregiverWhen I Needed Help For years, I’d been sagely advising adult children to recognize when their parents were approaching the point at which they were not safe at home alone, to anticipate it and begin talking and planning before a crisis. Now the shoe was on the other foot… I was the helpless one, and worse than the surgery itself was what I was going to do next, how I was going to handle the weeks of recuperation.— The New York Times

Books

Giving from Your Heart book coverGiving from Your Heart by Dr. Bob Rosenberg and Guy Lampard – Many people have considered volunteering but they simply don’t know how to get started. Rosenberg and Lampard share their expertise about the numerous volunteer opportunities available today. From determining your desired level of involvement to establishing realistic expectations, Rosenberg and Lampard offer practical information that will help you connect with the volunteer opportunity that’s right for you.