Today at the YMCA, I overheard two older women talking about a BuzzFeed
article on Aging in Place. The article talked about having a community
center that allowed the local residents to age in place. They were
talking about the need for such a resource in their neighborhood
(Candler Park). I know so much about the Metro Atlanta aging services,
yet I could not think of how our current services and supports could
seamlessly coordinate an effort like this for one neighborhood. I must
not be paying enough attention. There must be models, ideas and
organizations (NAIPC, NORC?) ready to take on such a community. The
National office for the NAIPC is creating an aging in place center in
conjunction with StonyBrook University in New York. Maybe a model like
that? Maybe a model like the Toco Hills NORC? These ideas seemed so
hypothetical to me until this overheard conversation today. Why? The
need is there, yet I've only been in practice with individuals facing
advanced and terminal illnesses. There is a huge gap in my knowledge,
and I feel so motivated to open my eyes and learn more about caring for
those just entering the aging process.
As my mind pondered the needs of a small community like Candler
Park, I pictured a small team of skilled providers making house checks,
errand-runs, doctor coordinations, etc., sort of like a geriatric care
manager and house manager shared by several (maybe 12?) households. How
would that be funded? How do you define the scope of services? Must be
like a NORC... So much to learn.
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