Elder Life Advisors — Blog

Age-in-Community Village Movement Grows to 11,000 Members

admin — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 21:21:48 +0000

Just a decade ago, Boston’s Beacon Hill Village established an innovative model to empower older Americans to age in their own homes, supported by an intentional community. Now, the national village movement has soared to a coast-to-coast membership of 11,000 in 55 different villages.

With a 66% annual growth (ten-year average), the village movement is gathering an impressive head of steam. Let’s hope for the equivalent of a volcanic eruption to make this powerful idea accessible to the greater part of the 72 million Americans who, within twenty short years, will be 65 years or older.

Although the challenge appears daunting, I’m betting on the elegant simplicity of villages to win the hearts of Americans by the millions. Nearly ninety percent of Americans want to age in the convenience and privacy of their own homes.

To gain a sense of the enormous potential of villages, consider this social phenomenon on three different levels: a bird’s eye view of day-to-day village life; how successful villages spawn new villages, and; the macro view of public policy.

[Read the complete article.]

The Value of Village Membership: A Case Study for Washington Park Cares

admin — Tue, 31 May 2011 00:37:05 +0000

How much is an “age-in-community” village membership worth? A recent newsletter for Denver’s Washington Park Cares pointed out that many WPC members have saved from $300 to $500 per year, just by using volunteers’ services – for transportation, minor home repairs, computer/electronics help, and so on.

Simply taking advantage of village member benefits, one may easily recover the modest investment in annual dues. Plus, you gain the value of being able to live independently in your own home, supported by a network of your friends and neighbors. But wait – there’s more!

[Read the complete article.]

Hold on to Your Teeth! What Everyone Over 50 Should Know about Senior Dental Health

admin — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 01:31:31 +0000

Most of the generation who grew up during the Great Depression years didn’t see a dentist during childhood, and only infrequently as adults. Money was short; dental treatment was usually painful; and preventive dental care, little understood. Visits to the dentist were reserved for dental emergencies. People seldom reached the half-century mark with a mouthful of natural teeth.

Baby Boomers were more fortunate than their parents. About the time the earliest members of this generation were in first grade, the University of Indiana and Procter & Gamble collaborated in a famous, multi-year clinical test of fluoride toothpaste, involving 1500 children and 400 adults. By the late nineteen-fifties, everyone was familiar with the commercial tagline, “Look, Mom – No cavities!” It’s even been said that Crest® Toothpaste saved America’s teeth.

As is so often the case, parents provided for our care, even while delaying or sacrificing their own care. (We’re Baby Boomers ourselves.) This sacrifice may be apparent from Dad’s or Mom’s smile that’s missing a tooth or two. More often the evidence stays out of view, behind a discreetly closed mouth.

[Read the complete article.]

Timothy A. Schwartz, D.D.S. & O. Arnold Snyder, Elder Life Advisors, LLC

“National Village Gathering” Event Promotes Aging in Community

admin — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:12:39 +0000

2010 National Village Gathering

More than 40 age-in-community villages have sprung up in the US over the past three years. Rapid growth is riding a wave-crest of enthusiasm to help seniors live in the comfort and security of their own homes as they grow older.

The promise of villages is to create mutual support systems in neighborhoods for millions of Americans age 55 and up. Village membership typically ranges from one hundred to several hundred persons each. Villages are surging in popularity, and the prospects of this national movement are very encouraging.

At last month’s 2010 National Village Gathering in Philadelphia, 200 attendees from 26 states shared their passion and experience on villages, or age-in-community neighborhoods. Through talks, panel discussions, and intensive interaction, conferees gained an excellent understanding of principles and “best practices” to help plant and grow villages in their own communities.

[Read the complete article.]

Driving and the Elderly: A Balanced Perspective

admin — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 23:01:29 +0000

“How can I get Dad or Mom to stop driving?” If there were a Top Ten for adult children’s worries about their parents, this would be high on the list. It’s not hard to see why.

Think back to when you were a teen-ager. What was one of biggest events in your life, en route to growing up? Your driver license, of course! All teen-agers long for the day they can get their wheels, and with this milestone, the power to go wherever and whenever they want. Or so they hope.

Not only is a driver license a rite of passage to adulthood, it is one of the last rights we are willing to give up. A driver license represents freedom, proof of identification, and even a sense of self-identity.

A study by Prince Market Research reported that seniors’ top four fears include loss of independence (cited by 26%) and giving up driving (stated by 11%). The prospect of losing one’s ability to drive triggers two of the biggest fears. Driving is both necessity and convenience. It means independence and self-confidence. In contrast, loss of driving ability has a powerful emotional subtext — fear of growing old; of being helpless or trapped; of becoming a burden.

Any action which tends to ignore or brush aside these legitimate concerns will be counter-productive. It may be seen as selfishly placing your concerns ahead of those of your parents, to their detriment. As a family, you can alleviate much anxiety by becoming an ally, working with your parent to offer new options to counter diminished driving ability with a success strategy.

[Read the complete article.]

The Village Movement and The 2010 National Village Gathering

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:15:46 +0000

At certain times in history, the environment is just right for a bold social undertaking to thrive. The seed of an innovative idea takes root in the firm, fertile soil of local community. It is nurtured by thoughtful people who are passionate about its potential to respond to deep and urgent need. As the concept matures and re-produces in one community after another, a national movement is born.

One such phenomenon is now occurring in the grassroots village movement, also known as aging in community. People are uniting in groups whose purpose is to reach out to the elderly in the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors. In the process, older people are integrated within a valuable community that enables them to remain safely and securely in their own homes as they – and millions of their peers – grow older.

On November 11-12, in Philadelphia, the 2010 National Village Gathering will develop the theme, “Your Voice, Your Vision, Your Village.” The conference will be attended by representatives of currently-open villages from across the U.S. These will be joined by like-minded conferees whose own villages are just getting started, as well as those who are researching options. It’s the perfect place to share knowledge and experience and to provide mutual support and encouragement. The gathering is a community of communities.

[Read the complete article.]

Age-in-Community Neighborhoods

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:56:03 +0000

Washington Park Cares, Inc. neighborhood

In a charming, early 1900s-vintage Denver neighborhood, residents are bringing new life to an age-old tradition. Within three short years, they have created a thriving community of inter-connected life with a small town look and feel. Designed for the over-55 population, Washington Park Cares, Inc. is on a mission to help seniors remain in their own homes, with access to services, resources, and community engagement. The 130-member community is inter-generational; members and volunteers represent a broad age span.

The Age-in-Community movement is surging in cities across the U.S. Also called Age-in-Place Communities, or Villages, more than 50 such neighborhood organizations have sprung up from coast to coast. Like Washington Park Cares, most have been inspired by the pioneering example of Boston’s Beacon Hill Village. No two communities are quite alike. Each is uniquely adapted to its constituency.

[Read the complete article.]

Surviving to Fight Another Day: A Veteran’s Story

admin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 20:42:48 +0000

Years ago, a Viet Nam veteran told his story about a battle experience, and it has stayed with me. Here it is, as best I can recall. Let’s call the two characters Tom and Gene.

Tom’s Army platoon was in a firefight with the Viet Cong. He and a buddy were shot, immobilized by their wounds. The rest of their unit fled to safety, leaving them to fend for themselves.

Gene was shot in the gut and legs. He was unable to walk, nor even to get up. But he was conscious and able to talk.

Tom sustained a head wound. The bullet had entered his helmet from the front, then ricocheted. He was still conscious, although stunned. Tom felt certain that within a short time, his injury would take a fatal toll.

The Viet Cong had abandoned the area. For the time being at least, the men were not threatened by more shooting. Unfortunately, their prospects of survival were fading by the minute.

[Read the complete article.]

What Exactly IS “Independent Living”?

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:26:01 +0000

Living Too Independently

When you hear the term independent living, what’s the first idea that comes to mind? A life style choice; an assessment of physical and mental capability; a housing category?

More than likely, one word association that will pop into your head is “old,” or something like it. If you thought, “senior housing,” give credit to the retirement housing industry for its ability to alter the meaning of words through extensive advertising.

In its best sense, independent living opens up a world of possibility and freedom. At worst, it is no more than a hopeful fantasy about aging or a company’s sales strategy.

Today independent living is primarily associated with aging, due to two important developments: Growth of the senior demographic, and with it, the burgeoning retirement housing industry. This industry has developed a niche product for every senior’s style and stage of life.

In the senior housing market, Independent Living describes an accommodation for older adults that is not an Assisted Living Residence, Rehabilitation Center, or Skilled Nursing Facility. Independent Living is a more apt description than “None of the Above,” and it’s the single largest category of senior housing.

For older adults who prefer to remain in a traditional home, their preference has come increasingly to be called, independent living, as well. The growing Age-in-Place movement may be thought of as independent living, with an attitude. In more than 50 cities throughout the U.S., older adults are organizing communities of mutual support, social activity, and educational events, while continuing to live in their traditional homes.

Residential accommodations and in-home services of all types are important to help the elderly to live as independently as possible in whatever manner they prefer. However, it’s the older person’s needs that should drive these decisions – not industry market strategy.

[Read the complete article.]

A Tribute to Veterans

admin — Sat, 22 May 2010 19:59:11 +0000

Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver

At a military honors ceremony at Fort Logan National Cemetery last year, I was impressed by the keen sense of purpose. The memorial was in honor of Air Force TSgt. Marcus Monaghan, a veteran of the Korean War. Mark’s family had invited us to be present. Serving as the honor guard were nearly a dozen elderly men; most were World War II veterans.

The first time I ever attended a military honors ceremony I was very young. It too was led by World War II veterans, who were honoring one of their own. A half-century later, the loyal men and women who served in that war continue to lead these ceremonies, joined now by many others who have served in times of war and peace. What a marvelous tradition!

Inspired to write a tribute to veterans, I contacted the commander for the Fort Logan ceremony. His name is John Palmquist, a member of American Legion Post 103, in Littleton. During World War II, John served in the U.S. Navy at Subic Bay in the Philippines. He filled me in on the details of the ceremony and the All Veterans Honor Guard.

Then I interviewed Dick Gigliotti, Director of the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, in Grand Junction. Dick was invaluable in helping me to understand the protocol and history of military honors ceremonies.

The full story on this tribute to veterans was published by The Denver Post, Colorado Community Newspapers (Littleton Independent), and High Ground, the online magazine for the Colorado National Guard (page 7).

Do you have a memorable experience with a military honors ceremony? If so, I invite you to share your story.