The Village Model of Aging-in-Place Gaining Momentum

Most seniors still prefer to stay in their homes if they can, and a recent trend is toward the “village” cooperative model of assisted living where communities of seniors ban together to help one another age well in their own homes.

Groups of seniors create a membership organization that runs programs and assembles services to keep seniors in their homes and to help them live life to the fullest.

One of the pioneering village organizations is Mill City Commons in Minneapolis, which Ecumen had the honor of helping start.  On its website, Mill City Commons describes it work this way: “By offering a wide variety of services – from in-home preferred vendor lists, cultural and social events and member-to-member volunteer opportunities to health and wellness programs, educational and special interest programs and community service – Mill City Commons fulfills its mission: to connect its members with the services and information to live their lives to the fullest for as long as they choose to live in our Riverfront neighborhood.”

NBC News anchor Brian Williams recently highlighted the village model in an interview with his wife’s parents, who are part of a Connecticut cooperative called Staying Put.