By Jen Chien, KALW Crosscurrents
California leads the nation in its population of senior citizens. The ratio of working-age adults to those over 65 is projected to plunge in the next few decades. Meanwhile, the need for financial and social support for this growing number of older adults presents new challenges for our society and our economy. One of the most pressing issues facing seniors is isolation.
One promising new solution is the “village movement.” The concept is simple: Seniors in a particular neighborhood or region band together to form a nonprofit membership organization — a village — whose annual dues help pay for shared services, such as transportation, meal delivery or social activities. Members can also contribute by volunteering to help other members. Many villages also recruit nonmember volunteers or hire an administrator to help coordinate the village’s services.
Read the complete story at KALW Crosscurrents.
