Braddock District explores formation of aging-in-place network
A group of civic leaders in the Braddock District are in the
early stages of forming an “aging-in-place” network aimed at providing services
to make it easier for senior citizens to stay in their homes.
early stages of forming an “aging-in-place” network aimed at providing services
to make it easier for senior citizens to stay in their homes.
The Aging-in-Place Committee, led by Bruce Wallachy, held
its first meeting last week and will meet again Wednesday, Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m.,
in Braddock Hall, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke. All interested Braddock
residents are invited.
its first meeting last week and will meet again Wednesday, Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m.,
in Braddock Hall, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke. All interested Braddock
residents are invited.
The effort is being coordinated through the Braddock District Council (BDC) of Community Associations. A BDC survey of members last February identified aging-in-place as one of their top
priorities.
priorities.
The committee’s purpose, as laid out in a draft statement is “to address
issues of concerns of Braddock District residents who want to continue living
in Braddock District and continue contributing to making life better for
Braddock District residents by offering their talents and energies.”
The first step is assessing the needs of older resident and
identifying the resources available in the county, Wallachy says. The group is
considering all sorts of needs that elderly people might have, such as
transportation, socialization, legal assistance, housing, food, education, home
repairs, and medical needs.
identifying the resources available in the county, Wallachy says. The group is
considering all sorts of needs that elderly people might have, such as
transportation, socialization, legal assistance, housing, food, education, home
repairs, and medical needs.
The committee will then work on
matching resources to needs, identify gaps, and create programs to
address the needs not covered by volunteer, county, or state programs. At the
group’s first meeting, Tena Bluhm, chair of the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging,
and commission member Kenneth B. Malmberg described some of the many services available,
such as the Special Needs Registry, transportation programs for seniors, the
Center Without Walls, and the “Mature Living” cable show.
matching resources to needs, identify gaps, and create programs to
address the needs not covered by volunteer, county, or state programs. At the
group’s first meeting, Tena Bluhm, chair of the Fairfax Area Commission on Aging,
and commission member Kenneth B. Malmberg described some of the many services available,
such as the Special Needs Registry, transportation programs for seniors, the
Center Without Walls, and the “Mature Living” cable show.
“We would like to have people become experts in certain
areas and develop an understanding of local community issues,” Wallachy says.
He envisions the BDC serving as an umbrella group, with local communities
forming separate aging-in-place networks.
areas and develop an understanding of local community issues,” Wallachy says.
He envisions the BDC serving as an umbrella group, with local communities
forming separate aging-in-place networks.
There are different models of aging-in-place networks around the country. Some
of them have a paid director who acts as a concierge, coordinating a group of
volunteers who can drive seniors to doctor’s appointments and grocery stores,
arrange for home repairs, or provide other services. Other networks are more
informal, providing social gatherings or educational programs. An aging-in-place network in Lake Barcroft is in the planning stages.
of them have a paid director who acts as a concierge, coordinating a group of
volunteers who can drive seniors to doctor’s appointments and grocery stores,
arrange for home repairs, or provide other services. Other networks are more
informal, providing social gatherings or educational programs. An aging-in-place network in Lake Barcroft is in the planning stages.
“We haven’t decided how engaged we want to be,” Wallachy
says. The 22 people who came to the meeting last week included retirees,
people preparing to retire, and people caring for aging family members.
Wallachy, a retiree who lives in Kings Park West, is a former chair of the BDC.
says. The 22 people who came to the meeting last week included retirees,
people preparing to retire, and people caring for aging family members.
Wallachy, a retiree who lives in Kings Park West, is a former chair of the BDC.
He would like to see the committee sponsor
presentations at BDC meetings, collect more information about the needs of
seniors, develop a home improvement assessment team, set up a “help wanted”
site, create a “time bank” to manage work credits that could be used later as
needed, and promote active engagement with county and state officials on
legislation and regulations to support the needs of seniors.
presentations at BDC meetings, collect more information about the needs of
seniors, develop a home improvement assessment team, set up a “help wanted”
site, create a “time bank” to manage work credits that could be used later as
needed, and promote active engagement with county and state officials on
legislation and regulations to support the needs of seniors.