Aging in Place in 2009

When I look back at 2009, it's easy to think about how hard the year has been. The recession has had a decidedly negative impact on so many. Yet, I feel really satisfied with one aspect of the past year -- the progress we've made with Aging in Place in Darien.

1. We introduced half-price taxi vouchers for seniors and the disabled. Now seniors can purchase the vouchers at Darien Town Hall and use them for rides on Everyready Taxi. The ride is then only half price.

2. Gallivant (the van for seniors and disabled) board members on our transportation committee helped us with research into area solutions for senior transportation, and in the process, became more energized themselves.
They are doing a new strategic plan, will hire a dispatcher and may purchase another vehicle.

3. AIP conducted a survey among seniors and learned key information that will guide us in our strategic planning. We had an amazing response rate.

4. We held a luncheon with a great speaker on arthritis. Over 100 people attended. Clearly, our seniors want to learn as much as they can about healthy aging.

5. AIP in Darien now has 170 members.

6. We've learned a lot about pros and cons of starting a nonprofit and about the other aging in place organizations in our area and across the nation. And we've continued to learn about agencies and for-profits in our area that help seniors.

7. We have a terrific working relationship with the new head of the Darien Senior Center, Beth Paris.

8. We are forming great plans for 2010 -- all strategically based. Keep checking back for more news.

We are looking forward to a productive new year. I hope you are, too.

Aging in Place Initiative - Livable Communities

Wow! I was so surprised to find the Aging in Place Initiative. (Take a look -- http://www.aginginplaceinitiative.org/) What a great site that has information of all kinds for anyone who wants to know how to create livable communities for all ages -- keeping seniors in the community. Here are some important facts from their site:

Facts

Population Facts By 2030, nearly one in five Americans—71.5 million people—will be over age 65. Today, there are more than 35 million Americans age 65 or above—a tenfold increase in the 65 and over population since 1900. Over the next 25 years, that number will double, and one in every five Americans will be age 65 or older. Contrary to popular belief, only a small minority move to warmer climates upon retirement. Fewer than 5 percent of the 65 and over population reside in nursing homes. Instead, most Americans choose to age in place, within the same communities where they have long lived. Housing Facts Homeownership rates among adults age 65 and above, at more than 80 percent, are higher than the national average. One in every four renters age 50 and above pays 50 percent or more of annual income on rent. The average annual cost per patient of nursing home care is more than $60,000. Planning and Zoning Facts Coming soon... Transportation Facts Only 3 percent of all trips taken by Americans age 65 and above are by bus or train. 55 percent of Americans say they would prefer to walk more and drive less. Individuals with health impairments or disabilities often have difficulty using fixed-route transit systems, because of factors such as poor pedestrian accessibility or the lack of accessible design features at buses and rail stations. One in five Americans age 65 and above does not drive. Health and Supportive Services Facts One in five older Americans does not know who to call for information about local services in their community. Low-income areas typically have one-third fewer grocery stores than middle and high-income neighborhoods.12 Older volunteers in one intergenerational program reported higher activity levels, increased strength, and a bigger support network. Culture and Lifelong Learning Facts During the next 25 years, the older Latino population will grow four-fold, from 2 million today to 8 million in 2030. The older Asian population will grow from 1 million to 4 million. In areas in states with high immigrant populations, such as Florida and Texas, the growth will be even more dramatic. Older adults participating in weekly arts programs reported better health, fewer doctor visits, and less medication usage. Only 1 in 3 older adults today has access to the Internet. Public Safety Facts More than one-third of older adults interviewed in a national survey identify crime as a problem in their neighborhoods. In a national survey by the AdvantAge Initiative, 34 percent of older adults report crime as a problem in their neighborhoods. Crime is the top problem reported by African-American and Hispanic older adults. It is estimated that 1 to 2 million Americans age 65 and above have suffered elder abuse; however, detecting and preventing elder abuse is inherently difficult. Many victims are isolated and do not know where to turn for redress. For every one case of elder abuse that is documented, approximately five cases go unreported. Civic Engagement and Volunteer Opportunities Facts Research has shown that older adults prefer working with children and youth more than any other volunteer activity. Young people who participate in intergenerational programs show measurable improvements in school attendance and attitudes toward school.

How Can We Get Seniors to Accept Help?

I heard a great story the other day from the son of a woman who is 80+. He and his sister wanted their mom to have a local safety net. They finally turned to one of the Aging in Place - Beacon Hill Village type organizations. The siblings bought mom a membership.

The mom loves the membership because people with the organization help her with the small but annoying stuff of life. How to find someone to help with shopping. How to get someone to take care of her dog when she goes on vacation. Even though she says she doesn't want help and wants independence, she is slowly seeking help from her friends and from this organization. It's a long, slow build.

With aging in place, the idea of "if you build it, they will come" doesn't work immediately. It takes a long time for the comfort factor to come into play and for people to join and ask for help.

Do you have an opinion on this? Other stories?

Who is our target?

We have several sets of seniors in Darien. Can Aging in Place in Darien serve all of them? Should we? What needs can we fill?

It's hard to know when seniors really don't want to call for help.

What Do Seniors Want?

I'm getting frustrated. Seniors want to stay in their homes as they age. Some are willing to pay big bucks to do this, but not too big. None of the Beacon Hill Village members are willing to pay full freight for their memberships. So they need to fund raise 50% of the operating costs to support the organizations. Fund raising to support the wealthy in the style to which they have become accustomed. Go figure...

Then, there are those seniors who refuse to join an organization that can help them or to even ask for help from churches or other organizations. They may ask their friends to rides when they really need them. But they'd rather just stay home than call and bother someone.

This is a conundrum. What can be done? Help me figure this out.

Beacon Hill Village Model

As I continue studying the various aging in place models, I am fascinated by the fact that the Beacon Hill Village Model costs far more to operate than its members seem willing to pay. 50% to 60% of operating costs must come from fund raising. Is this right? It reminds me of colleges. They need endowments and annual appeals for funds, plus tuition, room and board to keep going. But professors are doing research, and a university has a huge infrastructure to support.

Why do these aging in place models need so much so operate? Why do they only attract a small portion (a few hundred) of the thousands of seniors who could sign up? Why won't the members pay full freight? I understand having reduced fees for low-income seniors. But most members of villages are middle to high income.

I am continuing to wonder about this. What is wrong with this model? Is there anything wrong with this model?

The Beacon Hill Village model is a concierge service bureau for seniors who want to remain in their homes. The seniors join and then can call the village executive director for anything they need -- handyman services, transportation, shopping, health care....

The village also supplies all sorts of social activities and outings, thus keeping seniors active and ending isolation.

It's a great concept with a great mission. I just question the business model. I write business plans for entrepreneurs, so the financial aspects of a business (even a nonprofit) are of great interest to me. (www.upstartbusinessplanning.com). (www.upstartwyn.blogspot.com)

Beacon Hill Village and Other Models

As part of our strategic planning process, I'm doing a survey of other Aging in Place organizations. I'm beginning to see three viable models. The process is fascinating, and I'm looking forward to completing the research and writing up the results.

Contact me at upstartwyn@gmail.com, if you want to learn about our results.

Old People Aren't Old

We've been doing focus groups with the 65+ crowd in Darien, CT, to see how the community could provide resources to help them stay in their homes as they age. The most interesting finding is that most older people don't think of themselves as old. They don't want to be perceived as "needy." They don't even begin to think of themselves as old until they reach 80. The term "senior" connotes someone who is frail and elderly. They are not "seniors".

But even the ones who are 80 want to be out doing things for others. These are the most amazing people. They are so giving. So altruistic. So independent. Is it because they are American and are embued with American independent spirit?

So our new idea is to discover ways to tap this supply of volunteer labor to help others who do need help. More later...