The Village Movement: A Sustainable Model for Aging in Community

In the US, the Village model is gaining national attention as an affordable option for seniors who want to age-in- place. Villages are not-for-profit membership organizations offering comprehensive support and social engagement to seniors wanting to maintain independence. Villages are locally developed (often initiated within neighborhoods), self-governing, and self-supporting. Approximately two-thirds of Villages are independent nonprofits while others may be operated as a program under a larger, local senior services organization. The word “Village” is used to represent the model because local resources and people of all ages are brought together to benefit both members and the greater community. In this way, a Village emphasizes community over place by building relationships that allow seniors to age safely at home.