Opening Doors — This Challenge, Too, May ‘Take a Village’

Over the years, some friends of mine who share a common vision have explored the idea of forming an intentional community that would help them age in place with some level of independence and dignity. Though the concept of intentional community may for some be forever linked with “an alternative lifestyle” such as the communes of the 1960s, the purposes of intentional communities are actually much more varied.
Their common thread is the desire to share resources and responsibilities in a planned residential setting of their own choosing. They usually tend to have a much higher degree of teamwork than other communities, in contrast to the trend toward individualism in our current culture.
So it was interesting to learn that New Jersey Assemblyman Gusciora introduced in January of this year legislation (A 353) that would appropriate $250,000 for a two-year pilot program to create a “Naturally Occurring Retirement Community” (NORC) in Mercer County.
The program would identify a neighborhood or apartment building in that county where more than half of the heads of household are 60 or older and then develop a plan to provide social services and health care to residents onsite in their homes and neighborhood. An evaluation at the end of the two years would determine if the program should be expanded to other counties.
A compelling motivation for the state, of course, is to control the anticipated rising cost of medical and nursing home care for a rapidly increasing number of residents 65 and older. Already in New Jersey, according to some estimates, this group accounts for 14 percent of the total population. In Cape May County, that percentage is thought to be higher than 21 percent. Even in better economic times the goal of serving this population adequately, more effectively, and at a manageable cost will present a daunting challenge.
From the point of view of our aging citizens, as the proposed legislation states: “Elderly residents of this state are aging in place in their communities and they prefer to remain in their familiar surroundings, near families and friends, and receive services in their communities…”
This reality certainly resonates with my own family experience. My sisters and I are currently struggling to help our mother continue to live in her own home despite her increasing frailty. It is to her advantage that she can access some city services and that we all live within driving distance. But for our generation, many living in suburbs and with families spread far and wide, the challenge will be even greater.
According to Assemblyman Gusciora’s bill, the NORC pilot programs “… are intended for persons with moderate or low incomes and, by their nature are proactive and take a holistic preventive approach to the health and well-being of elderly residents…by providing a wide array of social, health care, mental health and other support services…[to] help some state residents age in place…” I personally will be following this proposed legislation with great interest. Though probably less than perfect and perhaps under funded, it at least proactively anticipates a huge challenge that is already on the horizon. This challenge, too, may take a village to address.
DID YOU KNOW?
• The Cape May County Advisory Commission on the Status of Women will hold their annual conference on March 24 at the Wildwood Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This Career and Training Expo, open to men as well as women, will also feature short seminars focused on job skills. For additional information call (609) 463-6695 or (609) 675-6020.
• The Complete Care Health Network on Route 9 North in Court House, working with the Commission for the Blind, is providing Free Eye Screenings on the first Friday of each month for anyone in the county with or without insurance. To schedule an appointment, call Darlene at 609-465-0258.
• As of March 15, 2012, the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design must be used for all new construction or alterations to facilities covered by Title II and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For more information, call the toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or visit www.ada.gov.
• A free workshop on Brain Injury Basics is being offered by the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey on Thurs., April 19 from 1 to 3 pm at Cape Regional Medical Center. More information is available at 732-745-0200, at www.bianj.org or by email at info@bianj.org
Pierson writes from the Cape May County Department of Aging and Disability Services