A concept for consideration and discussion Mathews Village A concept for consideration and discussion

Some Options for Aging in Place A “village” Bay Aging’s Home Care program Riverside’s Choose Home program Some combination of these

Example – Colonial Beach Village Roughly 50-member all-volunteer village Seven-member board sets policies Operation is built around a free software package – “Lotsa Helping Hands” Board member receive service requests and find volunteers to fulfill requests Dues are $50 per person/$75 per family

Colonial Beach Village Services Help with hospital or nursing to home transition Transportation for appointments and shopping Assistance with computers and electronics Light handyman tasks Paperwork assistance – balancing checkbook, paying bills, etc. Daily phone check-in Social gatherings – informational talks, games, etc.

Facilitate sharing of medical equipment Caregiver relief on occasion Meals when sick Referrals to contractors and supervision of contractors Arranging in-home care Pet care

Some Policies of the CBV Not a social service agency Organized to take care of its members Members are expected to volunteer, if able Volunteers need not be members Provision for waiving dues if necessary

Options beyond village-level care Bay Aging’s Home Care program offers many services on a $18/hr, 2-hr minimum basis: private duty aide/nurse, dementia care, caregiver education, hospital to home transition help, personal care, med reminders & pickup, hip/knee replacement care, stroke help, cardiac care, transportation, supervise home deliveries & maintenance, companionship, diabetes management, fall prevention, depression support, multiple conditions care, meal preparation and eating assistance, light housekeeping & laundry Program is run by RNs; free health assessment on joining; free to join

P.A.C.E. Programs (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) Riverside’s Choose Home program is a PACE program Has similar services to Bay Aging’s Home Care program at the lowest of four levels; at the top level it includes a “continuum of care” that includes everything from home care through nursing care Costs depend on level, are federally subsidized, and are less than the cost typically associated with entering a retirement center, but more than Bay Aging’s Home Care

Economics – Risk vs. Cost Lowest cost/highest risk - a village supplemented by Bay Aging’s Home Care and self-paid nursing care if necessary Moderate cost and risk – a PACE lower level plan Higher cost and lower risk – a PACE top level plan Highest cost/lowest risk – enter a guaranteed care retirement center while you can still get in

Model for a Mathews Village The Mathews Village (MV) would be incorporated in Virginia and obtain exemption from federal and state taxes as a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation The articles of corporation and by-laws can be adapted from the village kit we purchased The MV would have a self-perpetuating board of seven: president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and three others MV members are non-voting

Membership MV membership is open to any resident of the County of Mathews Annual dues will depend on number of members Provision will be made for those who cannot afford to pay the dues

Operation of the Mathews Village A part-time staff person will receive requests for services and recruit and assign volunteers to conduct services Operations will be built around the software calendar “Lotsa Helping Hands” Services are conducted by volunteers All members are expected to volunteer, if able Volunteers need not be members

Mathews Village Services Help transitioning to home from hospital or nursing care Transportation to appointments and shopping Assistance with computers and electronics Light handyman tasks Help with paperwork Phone check-ins on some appropriate schedule Meetings with informational talks, social events

Facilitate sharing of medical equipment Caregiver relief on occasion Meals when sick Help in arranging for home nursing care Pet care Reminders of senior events (TRIAD, etc.) Referrals to contractors and supervision of contractor work

Comments on Some Reactions to the Village Concept My children will take care of me My church will take care of me I have all those services in place already Liability is too high for village to bear

My children will take care of me This can work if the children live in close proximity If the children live far away, a move might be required If the children are at a moderate distance, they might appreciate some help The children must be willing

My church (friends) will take care of me. Not everyone is a member of a church Churches do well with crisis care; constant minor care might not be forthcoming Do you want to depend on friends for continual favors? Are your friends in need of services themselves?

Liability is too high There are ~ 150 villages operating successfully in the U.S. Liability insurance is a major expense ($1000 annually for the Colonial Beach Village of about 50 members) This is an important concern, but manageable

Summary Questions What would you change in the strawman concept for a Mathews Village presented here? Do you think Mathews can support a village? Would you join a Mathews Village were it to be organized? What would you be willing to pay each year for membership?