Aging in Place
At a time when “aging-in-place” is almost everyone’s goal, services to help older adults remain healthy and independent at home are a necessity. That is why Jewish Family Services of Delaware (JFS) is announcing plans to launch The Cape Village Network to help older adults in southern Delaware live safely and securely in their homes.
“The Village concept is an ideal answer to the question of ‘how do I make the dream of aging-in-place a reality?’” says Maggie Ratnayake, JFS’s Director of Older Adult Services. “The Village combines professional care management with a network of volunteer support that helps members get to doctor appointments, pick up groceries, learn to use computers or cell phones, keep up with household chores, and this list goes on!”
Delaware’s population is aging. Today, 17.8% of Delawareans are age 60+, and more than 13,000 are over 85. By 2030, Delaware’s older adult population will increase by 133%, compared to the national average of 104%. According to the AARP Public Policy Institute, 90% of people 65+ want to remain in their homes for as long as possible; and 80% believe that their current home is where they will live for the remainder of their lives.
“But maintaining independence and living safely at home can become very challenging as we age,” says Ratnayake. “The Village is designed to help meet those challenges.”
JFS has a long history of caring for older adults in the community. In 2012, the agency opened Delaware’s first Village (Brandywine Village Network, or BVN) in northeastern New Castle County. The program has grown every year since. In 2015, BVN’s 2 staff and 183 volunteers helped 112 members age in place.
In January of this year, JFS opened its first office in Sussex County, where it provides mental health services to families and individuals in the surrounding communities. The agency plans to replicate its successful Village model in eastern Sussex County. Set to open in September, The Cape Village Network will serve Rehoboth, Dewey, and areas of Lewes west of Route 1.
Information sessions for The Cape Village Network will be held monthly throughout the spring and summer. The first session will be held on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm at Jewish Family Services of Delaware, located at 20684 John J Williams Hwy. in Lewes. Call (302) 827-6040 to RSVP or visit http://bit.ly/CapeVillageNetwork to learn more.
About Jewish Family Services of Delaware: Founded in 1898, Jewish Family Services of Delaware (JFS) is a nonprofit, human services agency providing counseling and support services to more than 3,200 individuals and families throughout Delaware and the Brandywine Valley.
