Northwood News ♦ October 2018

A ‘Village’ Can Let You Age in Place

A “village” is a neighborhood organization where residents help provide services to their neighbors who are elderly or have disabilities, so that they can remain in their homes as they age.  Villages are part of the “aging in place” movement.  A Village’s structure is determined by the neighbors who build it and includes all in the neighborhood, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or other differences.

A Village can help people avoid moving into outside institutions as their physical capabilities diminish, e.g., driving, by providing:

• Transportation;
• Check-in visits;
• Social, educational, and recreational events;
• Assistance with medical visits and shopping;
• Home and lawn care;
• Snow shoveling; and
• Discounts at local stores and vendors.

As in other neighborhoods, the most rapidly growing segment in Kemp Mill’s population is over 65.  For the first few months of 2018, a wide cross-section of Kemp Mill residents have been meeting and talking about how to create a Village.  To expand the chances of a successful program, their group would like to combine forces with our neighborhood.

Why a Village?

Not only do Villages give seniors and people with disabilities practical help and dignity, they dignify the entire community by making it more humane and inclusive.  A Village can more efficiently identify where help is needed and use best-practices technology to make it easier for people to volunteer.  Including people of all ages makes a more complete and natural community, adding the wisdom, memories, and skills of its older members.

Supporting a Village in Kemp Mill/Northwood-Four Corners-Forest Knolls when you are younger builds a structure that can help and protect you as you age.  There are about 200 Villages in the United States, and about 50 Villages operate or are in development in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Help Us Get Started/Find Out More

Please fill out a survey at bit.ly/kempmillsurvey, so that we can better understand our needs and resources (Kemp Mill Civic Association is behind trying to start this program).  This Village will be built and designed by neighbors, so your input is needed.  We also benefit from some government funding, other institutional help dedicated to Villages, and the counsel and experience of other Villages.  For a written copy of the survey, or for more information, call 301.649.5031.    ■