Thursday, May 21, 2015

Marin Voice: Village approach to senior services comes to Novato


Blog note: This opinion piece refers back to two grand jury reports on aging in Marin.


Can Marin County afford to celebrate Older American Month?
The operative word is “celebrate.” Sure it’s important to recognize older folks and the organizations dedicated to serving them. But it’s equally important to recognize that despite being the wealthiest county in the state, Marin County is woefully unprepared for the growing number of seniors and their increased need for food, housing, transportation and medical care.
The “silver tsunami,” as this deluge if often referred to, has been on the radar for years.
The Marin County Civil Grand Jury’s report on aging in Marin in 2007 raised a few red flags.
Subsequent reports by the Marin Community Foundation and the county’s Division of Aging agreed.
The problems are many.
Service demands are rising while the number of people available to help seniors is projected to decline. Transportation is a problem when eyesight fails or illness prevents driving for short or long periods of time. Seniors become isolated and depressed when they can no longer drive and family and friends move away.
While many seniors live on fixed incomes they have assets that disqualify them for public assistance.
According to the county’s recent Aging Action Initiative Report, over 7,000 seniors fall into this “eligibility gap.” These low- to middle-income individuals do not have enough discretionary funds to age with confidence or weather unexpected financial challenges.
A second grand jury report in 2014 revealed that very little has been done to correct the imbalance.
We need immediate solutions.
There is hope on the horizon in the form of a different approach to this problem.
Organizations like Marin Villages provide a structure for harnessing the generosity and talents of volunteers to meet the varied needs of our aging population.
Founded five years ago, Marin Villages, now with villages in Mill Valley, Homestead, Tiburon, Ross Valley and Northern San Rafael, has over 500 members and volunteers. It is part of a nationwide movement assisting seniors to “age in place.”
As a member of the county Commission on Aging, I was thrilled to be able to help spearhead the development of Novato Village, its newest village.
With the addition of Novato Village, Marin Villages is close to achieving its goal of serving all of Marin County.
Given the lack of assisted-living facilities as well as their high cost, remaining in their homes for as long as possible is not only a preferred option, but a necessity for many seniors.
A unique aspect of the Village model is that services are geared to the individuals and social and cultural programs grow out of members’ interests.
Marin Villages continues to review and enhance its range of services.
For example, programs are being developed to improve home safety and emergency preparedness. Marin Villages is also developing protocols to assist members prepare for and return from a hospital stay.
More and more, villages are combining resources and talents to better meet the needs of members.
I remain excited about the Village movement because of its potential to work collaboratively with existing organizations, to tackle problems and come up with unique solutions, and to revitalize the meaning of community and neighbors helping neighbors.
It with great pleasure that I welcome you to join Marin Villages in celebrating the launch of Novato Village at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging on June 6.
It’s a great opportunity to learn more about Novato Village and the Village movement and how you can become involved.
Festivities begin at 2 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
May 21, 2015
Marin Independent Journal
By Beth Livoti, City of Novato’s representative on the county Commission on Aging

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