3. The Village Model

If you want to stay in your own home but need help with daily logistics, the Village Model offers a brilliant compromise. Villages are grassroots, membership-driven organizations formed by residents in a specific geographic area. Members pay an annual fee—typically ranging from a few hundred to a thousand dollars—which funds a small staff and a network of volunteers.

Instead of moving to a facility to get services, the Village brings the services to you. A single phone call to the Village dispatcher can arrange transportation to a medical appointment, help with minor home repairs, grocery delivery, or tech support. Furthermore, Villages organize regular social events, group outings, and educational seminars, directly combating the isolation that often plagues retirees living alone.