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 Elmsford, NY - Reimagining later life for older Westchester residents is the focus of the Center for Aging in Place Support (CAPS), a new not for profit organization that is introducing itself to the Westchester County community by sponsoring a program to address the development of community-based, membership focused aging in place groups as a viable alternative to moving away to a ‘seniors only' facility.
The program will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2009, from 10:15 am - 1:15 pm, at the Greenburgh Public Library, 300 Tarrytown Road, Elmsford. The program is free, open to the general public, community leaders, action groups, and professionals in the field of aging.
Growth in the county's population of aging adults is creating increased need for services and support. In 2000, according to the US Census Bureau, 187,000 of Westchester County residents were aged 60 and over. The New York State Department of Transportation projects that by the year 2010, those aged 60 and over will number about 191,000, and in the year 2020, that population segment will reach 231,000.
Aging in place membership communities are vibrant, social and cultural networks. They seek to be responsive to their members' interests and evolving needs, and frequently offer volunteer as well as arrange for pre-screened private pay home repair and other services to make staying in their own homes more possible. Additionally, aging in place communities empower and tap into their members' strengths and talents for support.
"Given the economy this is an especially opportune time for older residents to join together to develop aging in place membership groups," said Amy Paul, Executive Director of CAPS. "We can't rely on government to provide all the services needed. It is up to all of us to work together, engaging older and younger residents alike, to build new communities that strengthen service networks."
Program presenters include membership community group experts and government representatives:
* Julie Dalton, Executive Director of Gramatan Village in Bronxville; Dick and Vicky Bergman, co-founders of Community Without Walls in Princeton, New Jersey; and Patricia Moore, President of the Watergate Initiative in Washington, DC, will discuss their aging in place models and grassroots-led communities.
* Mae Carpenter, Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services and CAPS President Rob Waldman will discuss aging in place services in Westchester County.
To RSVP, contact Amy Paul at
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or 914-980-8379. Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. Bring a bag lunch; beverages will be provided.
About the Center for Aging in Place Support: The Center for Aging in Place Support (CAPS) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that nurtures and helps sustain aging in place groups in Westchester at the grassroots level. For more information, please visit www.aipsupport.org.
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