AbstractsLaw & Legal Studies

The Pioneers of the Village Movement: An Exploration of Membership and Satisfaction Among Beacon Hill Village Members

by Claire E Wickersham




Institution: Miami University
Department: Gerontology
Degree: Master of Gerontological Studies
Year: 2015
Keywords: Gerontology; aging, aging in place, Villages, aging in community, Village model, Beacon Hill Village, Village movement
Record ID: 2061742
Full text PDF: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1430305412


Abstract

Villages are member-driven organizations that coordinate access to a wide variety of professional and nonprofessional service providers. This study examined why older adults choose to be Village members and examined membership characteristics, benefits, and satisfaction with membership. Analysis revealed that member satisfaction was very high and nearly all respondents were likely to renew their membership and recommend the Village to someone else. Referrals to vetted service providers were found to be the number one service used by Village members. Over three-quarters of respondents rated referrals as valuable or extremely valuable. The most important reasons for joining the Village were insurance, or access to services for future needs, convenience, or access to services such as home maintenance and transportation, and because the Village strengthens the community. Beacon Hill Village appears to be successful in meeting the needs of older adults and enabling them to age in the comfort of their own homes and communities for as long as possible.