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.
What do Seniors Want?
Seniors say they want to age in place, yet they are reluctant to join or call groups that can help them do just that. Why? I think it's just a strong desire to be independent.
I'm also wondering what adult children want for their parents? Do they encourage aging in place, if a support system is in place? Or would they rather have their parents move to assisted living or even a nursing home?
I wish that lots of people read this blog and could weigh in on the subject.
As Aging in Place in Darien tackles our strategic planning, I just wonder what we really should be doing. Is it worth the effort? Is what we are doing really adding any value?
How can we offer the most value at the lowest cost? And by cost, I mean time, money and effort.
I'm also wondering what adult children want for their parents? Do they encourage aging in place, if a support system is in place? Or would they rather have their parents move to assisted living or even a nursing home?
I wish that lots of people read this blog and could weigh in on the subject.
As Aging in Place in Darien tackles our strategic planning, I just wonder what we really should be doing. Is it worth the effort? Is what we are doing really adding any value?
How can we offer the most value at the lowest cost? And by cost, I mean time, money and effort.
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)
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)
Senior Villages
I'm working on a strategic plan for Aging in Place in Darien. My job right now is to look at other aging in place organizations that have sprung up locally and across the country and ask, "What models are they following? How are they doing?"
This will help us sort out how we want to move forward. What model would work best for us?
Anyone out there got ideas?
This will help us sort out how we want to move forward. What model would work best for us?
Anyone out there got ideas?
Transportation for Seniors in Darien
The transportation committee is meeting today to discuss taxi vouchers, Gallivant and new transportation services from the Red Cross.
I'll be posting the news later this week.
Meanwhile, I've started using Twitter. Look for my tweets. Follow me.
@aipwg.
This stands for Aging in Place with Grace. (Thanks to Olive Hauser, who came up with the name.)
I'll be posting the news later this week.
Meanwhile, I've started using Twitter. Look for my tweets. Follow me.
@aipwg.
This stands for Aging in Place with Grace. (Thanks to Olive Hauser, who came up with the name.)
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