ALEXANDRIA, VA-For many people 55 or older, aging in place has special significance. Independence, familiarity, and comfort are important. However, they can also present challenges. Safety, quality of life, and loneliness are realities.
One of the great things about living in a community like Alexandria is the level of support and range of services available to help make aging in place possible.
At Home in Alexandria (AHA) is a senior village that assists older Alexandrians who want to live in their homes. AHA is not a physical space but a philosophy in action, offering practical support. Equally important, AHA hosts social events to help alleviate the loneliness and isolation that can stifle older adults.
“We gather at events and small gatherings,” says Cele Garrett, AHA’s Executive Director. “We form friendships by helping people get out and connect with others. We get their groceries and join them at appointments. But helping them meet up with friends is a big one. That component makes up about 83% of our requests.”
The first senior village was established in Boston more than 20 years ago. It began as a group of residents who wanted to help their older neighbors age in place. The group provided rides to appointments, helped move heavy boxes, changed light bulbs, and assisted with other chores.
This senior village model gained traction. The media became interested in the story. People around the country read about what was happening in Boston, and it wasn’t long before other cities and towns created their villages. Today, there are nearly 300 senior villages in the U.S. AHA opened their doors in April 2011.
According to Garrett, AHA doesn’t advertise for memberships. It advertises for volunteers. Garrett calculates that 98% of the work is performed by volunteers.
“We always need more volunteers,” says Garrett. “People will volunteer, sign up, and then their lives get busy. Maybe they have a health event themselves, or their job changes, and they move away. It’s an imperfect system, which is why we have ads for volunteers.”
Members pay an annual fee that entitles them to request services from AHA for one year. A full AHA membership costs $600.00 per person per year or $850.00 for a household of two.
There are plenty of services and activities for members and associate members. Volunteers provide transportation, light maintenance around the home, organizing, and short-term pet or lawn care.
Currently, more members are requesting friendly visitors. They want to have one-on-one conversations to relieve isolation and loneliness. They also enjoy small gatherings like movie groups, coffee, and happy hours. For those who may not get out very often, these get-togethers are important.
Monthly happy hours are held at various members’ homes or in a community room in a member’s condo building. The happy hours are popular and often draw 20 to 30 people. For the more active, AHA offers a cycling club, walking club, book clubs, monthly lunch and dinner get-togethers, and more.
This summer, AHA will try offering another service: friendly dog visits.
“We’ve learned that a lot of members are dog lovers, but they’re unable to own a dog of their own anymore. It’s an ice breaker.”
Garrett and her team of three part-timers are always concerned about the number of volunteers they bring into the fold. They can’t grow faster than their core volunteer group can accommodate. Sometimes they are simply spread too thin.
“Very rarely have I had to say to a member, we just can’t take you on right now because we don’t have enough volunteers. But that could happen. Just when I think we’re going to have to put a hold on new volunteers, we’ll get an influx of new members and new volunteers.”
Volunteers are critical to the AHA’s mission. As membership increases, so does the need for volunteers. There are no special skills required, just a desire to help older people navigate the challenges they face.
“But funding is always an issue for a nonprofit like us. We don’t get city, state, or federal funding. We’re completely independent, so we have to make sure that we are sustaining ourselves and trying to keep the membership dues. We’ve raised them only once in the last 14 years.”
Kathy Fricke has been an AHA member since 2017. An Associate Member now, she was the former treasurer for the organization. She likes the various social events held and appreciates the services available.
“AHA allows you to meet new people and also assists you in living at home as you age,” she says. “There’s a great staff and it’s a wonderful way to open yourself up to new adventures.”
To learn more about AHA at 703-231-0824 or visit athomeinalexandria.org.
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