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

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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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?

18. 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

19. 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?