Six years ago, a group of Boston residents created Beacon Hill Village, the country’s first “virtual” retirement community. As executive director of this nonprofit organization, I help provide Village members with the amenities and services in their homes that you would expect in a retirement community. A dozen residents initially planned the project, donated and raised money, lined up local businesses and health-care providers and hired a staff of two.
Today, the Village’s 430 members, ages 50-plus, live in row houses, apartment buildings and condos in downtown Boston’s Beacon Hill, Back Bay, West End and surrounding neighborhoods. They pay annual dues of $580 per person, $780 per couple, with discounts for low-income individuals, to cover social, cultural, educational and wellness activities, transportation to the grocery store and more. Additional services, such as home repair, housekeeping and home care, are discounted at group rates. When members call, we refer them to a prescreened electrician, computer technician, personal chef or home health aide, etc. — and follow up with a phone call to be sure that the job has been done properly.
Beacon Hill Village’s community-based model for what is called “aging-in-place” is spreading across the nation. Although services for age-50-plus adults may vary widely around the country, you can still put to use many of the lessons we’ve learned. Even on your own, you can assemble a file of phone numbers, brochures and contact information to help make remaining at home safe, comfortable and cost-effective.
The secret of staying at home as you grow older is planning ahead. Don’t wait until a health crisis forces you to make hasty decisions. With smart planning, you may be able to stay in your home indefinitely. Here’s how…
Minor renovations, such as increased lighting, extra handrails and decluttering of scatter rugs, electrical cords and other trip hazards, may be all that’s needed to keep you safe at home. If major renovations are in order — such as making bathrooms accessible and widening doorways — look for general contractors with experience in home modifications for seniors. The National Association of Homebuilders (800-368-5242, www.nahb.org/aginginplace) has a directory of Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists. The National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification (213-740-1364, www.homemods.org) also has a directory of qualified contractors and remodelers.
Strategy: If you’re planning to build or renovate a home, consider adding a first-floor master bedroom and bath and an accessible kitchen and entryway — key features that make a home safe for all ages.
While good public transportation is scarce outside major cities, many communities offer free or reduced-fare vans and buses for seniors. Some services pick up groups of people to visit a shopping center. Others provide door-to-door service for appointments and errands. Of course, there are taxis and limo services, even private or volunteer drivers to help.
Resources: The Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116, www.eldercare.gov), run by the US Administration on Aging, is a good place to find local transportation help. Most likely you’ll be sent to the nearest Area Agency on Aging or the state office of elder affairs, which are often good sources of information on services for older adults.
Housekeeping, cooking and laundry can become more than pesky, time-consuming tasks later in life. Reputable home-care companies can provide part-time housekeepers and home health aides. Look for a company that is licensed, bonded and insured and that does background checks on employees. In Boston, the hourly rate for people to perform these services is about $20. Geriatric care managers, specialists in eldercare issues, can also arrange in-home care. The Web site for the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (www.caremanager.org) includes a directory. Personal concierge services are growing quickly and can help with such errands as picking up dry-cleaning or walking the dog.
Resources: On-line grocers, such as Peapod (800-573-2763, www.peapod.com), that serve customers with free or low-cost delivery of goods. Meals On Wheels (703-548-5558, www.mowaa.org), which provides free or low-cost meals to low-income seniors age 60 and older, is another option. These days, many senior centers offer dining options, such as Mather LifeWays’ More Than a Café in the Chicago area, which offers breakfast, lunch and take-out, along with fitness classes, speakers and learning programs. Call your local area agency on aging to see if there’s a similar senior center near you.
One day, minor household repairs, such as fixing a leaky sink or climbing a ladder to clear gutters, may become difficult, even dangerous. If you can’t do it yourself or get a friend or family member to help, your regular carpenter, plumber or electrician may know of a trustworthy person who does minor repairs. Large franchises, such as Rent-a-Husband (877-994-8229, www.rentahusband.com), run background checks and insure employees. Local nonprofits, such as senior centers or religious organizations, sometimes will do odd jobs and minor repairs for low-to-moderate-income elders.
Resources: Some Area Agencies on Aging have a fix-it program for older adults or those with disabilities and/or on limited incomes. Volunteers provide minor carpentry, plumbing or electrical work with a fixed cost for materials. Again, contact the Eldercare Locator.
Exercise is a critical part of being able to remain independent. Studies show that walking three or more times a week and exercising with light weights are key to remaining mobile in later years. Your local YMCA, community center, senior center or even the hospital may have age-appropriate classes to improve strength, flexibility and heart health.
What to do: Some fitness clubs offer discounts for age-50-plus adults. Hotels may open up their pools for community water aerobics. If the weather’s fine, why not invite a friend for a walk?
As we age, social support and connection to community become important parts of staying in our own homes. As friends move away or leave us, we must find new people to add excitement to this phase of life. Your community may have many free or low-cost cultural and social events for 50-plus adults, transportation included. Check your local library, senior center or “lifelong learning” programs at community colleges. Ask a friend to join you.
What to do: My employer, Beacon Hill Village, runs a Neighbor-to-Neighbor program of members who volunteer to run quick errands, offer short car rides, water plants and feed pets for other neighbors. Perhaps you could organize a group of friends and neighbors to provide similar help for each other.
