We are committed to establishing and supporting Villages in historically underprivileged communities. Villages have proven to be the most efficient methodology for healthy aging. Scientific studies have concluded that Villages fulfill the most basic human needs for purpose, community, and autonomy. The Village Model allows Older Adults to age in the comforts of their own home surrounded by a community of people passing through experiences similar to them. A Village is a neighborhood-based membership organization that is governed by its members. Volunteers and paid staff provide support for seniors and connections to affordable services which include anything from transportation services to health and wellness programs that allow seniors to confidently age in their own home. Along with these Village services comes the unique aspect of social connection. Village members are linked with one another and help each other with support activities such as cooking meals for neighbors who are sick. Many members find that the best part of the Village model is the social events created within the community which allows seniors to connect with other members and do the things they love most together. The Village Movement is an innovative grassroots movement that coordinates critical services for older adults. Villages are one of the most promising options to cope with the upcoming “Revolution Aging” dilemma. The Village Movement began in 1999 with a group of older adults that wanted to live in their own homes while staying engaged in social activities within their neighborhood. However, this group of older adults still recognized the need for support in the future and didn’t want to rely on existing solutions such as nursing homes, retirement communities, and hired helpers. As a result, the Village Movement was born with the idea of being active and supporting others with the same needs and social outlook. A Proven Model:
Twenty years later, the establishment of more than 300 Villages across the nation and many others in development has proven that seniors aspire to age independently in their communities with the Village model. The Village Movement allows seniors to be part of an active community and find a purposeful way to age. Despite the rapid growth of Villages around the country, there were still some essential features needed to give seniors the ability to remain in their own homes. UC Berkeley Professor Scharlach, one of the most prestigious scholars in the field of social welfare, analyzed the Village model and concluded that “Villages represent a promising new model, with the potential for positively affecting seniors in ways that may reduce social isolation, expand access to services, increase well-being, and increase seniors’ confidence in their ability to age in their homes. Although Villages fulfill universal needs they are not universally available. Historically Villages have been reserved for primarily white, upper-class older adults. Here at Healthy Aging Villages for All we aim to expand access to Villages across the country. We stand firm in the belief that every single Older Adult deserves to age with dignity and grace, Villages provide that opportunity.
