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Staying Healthy
A new angle on aging in place: The virtual village
- By Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter
The village model supports living at home and staying independent as we age.
For most of us, Plan A for long-term housing is pretty simple: live at home, independently, for as long as possible. Plan B gets more complicated. What will happen when we need assistance getting groceries, maintaining the house, going to the doctor, and staying socially connected? The answer for some people is a grassroots trend called a "virtual village."
The village model
A virtual village isn’t a place. It’s a group of people who live in their own homes, near each other, and agree to help each other. They form a self-governing nonprofit organization that offers membership to any household within its coverage area, which could include one or many neighborhoods.
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Aging In Place
Aging in Place is the comprehensive planning guide for living safely and independently for as long as possible—wherever you choose to live. You’ll get guidance for modifying a home to meet your changing needs. You’ll read how to ensure comfort and increase convenience and security—without straining your budget. Plus, you’ll find valuable tips for keeping yourself healthy, for deciphering the options of Medicare, for smart financial and legal planning, for utilizing online services, for getting help at home, and so much more.
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