What services do people need to help them age at home? In our research, handyman services and transportation topped the list.
Yesterday, we met the founder of Handy Dandy Handyman Service, Peter Brady. HDHM is a nonprofit right here in Connecticut. They do chores and provide handyman services to people for free. They rake leaves, fix roofs, change lightbulbs, paint.... You name it; they do it. They help the shut-ins, the needy and people who just aren't able to do these things themselves or have trouble finding help or hiring help. In the end, lots of folks wind up giving the organization a donation because they are so grateful.
Visit their Web site to learn more at: http://www.hdhm.org/. Peter started this organization to give back to his community and to God. What he and his volunteers have accomplished in seven years is truly amazing and is a model we are looking at closely. Stay tuned for more information about our quest to help people Age In Place -- Age with Grace.
what research reveals
We conducted focus groups with older Darien residents. Here's what we found:
· Virtually all people interviewed want to stay in their homes – or at least in Darien.
· Many complained that Darien offers limited ways to downsize but stay in town. They want smaller, senior-friendly housing without having to leave the town they love and their friends. They mentioned the need for more condos and rental apartments.
· They are all independent-minded and do not want to ask for help or feel that they need help. When they get help, they feel guilty about receiving it.
· Most want to help others and are vibrant people who want to learn and volunteer.
· However, they are concerned about those who cannot take care of themselves.
· They’d like to learn more about what available to help them but don’t want to be “sold”.
· They love the elements of the community that make up their individual support network -- their friends, their churches, the DCA, the Senior Center, and being near family.
· They love the library, the beach, Long Island Sound, being near NYC and other stimulating and cultural places, the suburban feel and look of Darien.
They cited the following issues as obstacles to staying in their homes as they age:
· Increasing taxes and cost of living
· Home maintenance issues – from getting small handyman-type jobs done, to getting garbage to the dump, to getting leaves raked.
o They want “affordable”, reliable, responsive, trustworthy service
· Transportation – getting to the store, to doctors or to therapy (Gallivant and Red Cross both have limitations.)
· Fear of isolation (“What if no one knew my helper hadn’t arrived?”)
· Communication – lack of awareness of what is available.
These findings reaffirmed many issues raised in a 1999 survey among seniors in Darien.
So, we're going to explore the following:
· Research what other communities have done and are doing to address these issues. Do not “reinvent the wheel”, but look for a model that could work in Darien.
· Start small and grow a grassroots effort to address problems. For example:
o Handyman volunteers and/or a list of “vetted” service providers
o Expand Gallivant or start an independent transportation system.
· Create a better, cohesive plan for getting the word out about what exists to help seniors in Darien and our area.
· Continue to reach out to seniors and engage them in conversation as to how they can help each other through a volunteer network.
· Virtually all people interviewed want to stay in their homes – or at least in Darien.
· Many complained that Darien offers limited ways to downsize but stay in town. They want smaller, senior-friendly housing without having to leave the town they love and their friends. They mentioned the need for more condos and rental apartments.
· They are all independent-minded and do not want to ask for help or feel that they need help. When they get help, they feel guilty about receiving it.
· Most want to help others and are vibrant people who want to learn and volunteer.
· However, they are concerned about those who cannot take care of themselves.
· They’d like to learn more about what available to help them but don’t want to be “sold”.
· They love the elements of the community that make up their individual support network -- their friends, their churches, the DCA, the Senior Center, and being near family.
· They love the library, the beach, Long Island Sound, being near NYC and other stimulating and cultural places, the suburban feel and look of Darien.
They cited the following issues as obstacles to staying in their homes as they age:
· Increasing taxes and cost of living
· Home maintenance issues – from getting small handyman-type jobs done, to getting garbage to the dump, to getting leaves raked.
o They want “affordable”, reliable, responsive, trustworthy service
· Transportation – getting to the store, to doctors or to therapy (Gallivant and Red Cross both have limitations.)
· Fear of isolation (“What if no one knew my helper hadn’t arrived?”)
· Communication – lack of awareness of what is available.
These findings reaffirmed many issues raised in a 1999 survey among seniors in Darien.
So, we're going to explore the following:
· Research what other communities have done and are doing to address these issues. Do not “reinvent the wheel”, but look for a model that could work in Darien.
· Start small and grow a grassroots effort to address problems. For example:
o Handyman volunteers and/or a list of “vetted” service providers
o Expand Gallivant or start an independent transportation system.
· Create a better, cohesive plan for getting the word out about what exists to help seniors in Darien and our area.
· Continue to reach out to seniors and engage them in conversation as to how they can help each other through a volunteer network.
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...
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...
Independence
In our research with older people in our town, we're discovering how very independent they are. They don't want help. They want to be the helpers. This is a really interesting and significant discovery. Maybe we can tap into this desire to contribute to the community. I wonder what makes older Americans so generous of spirit?
I'd love to hear from others about this point.
I'd love to hear from others about this point.
Visiting Nurse
A person moving to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, wanted information on Visiting Nurse in her new area. I contacted the national visiting nurse association and got the following info:
Medical Center Home Health
534 Roland StreetJackson, TN 38301 731-422-1100
Medical Center Home Health & Hospice of (branch)
650 Nuckholls RoadBolivar, TN 38008 (no telephone)
Medical Center Home Health of Trenton (branch)
200 Hospital Drive, Suite 302Trenton, TN 38382 (no telephone)
Morristown-Hamblen Home Care
908 W 4th North StreetMorristown, TN 37814 423-623-4100
She can call and find out if anything is close enough to her.
I encourage readers to contact this blog, if you need information. We will try to help.
Medical Center Home Health
534 Roland StreetJackson, TN 38301 731-422-1100
Medical Center Home Health & Hospice of (branch)
650 Nuckholls RoadBolivar, TN 38008 (no telephone)
Medical Center Home Health of Trenton (branch)
200 Hospital Drive, Suite 302Trenton, TN 38382 (no telephone)
Morristown-Hamblen Home Care
908 W 4th North StreetMorristown, TN 37814 423-623-4100
She can call and find out if anything is close enough to her.
I encourage readers to contact this blog, if you need information. We will try to help.
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