| Q1: Is the village idea that members will never need to go to a retirement home? No. Probably some members will need a more structured setting at some time and, if so, the Village will work with the member to make that change. Others will be able to live in their homes for life. Q2: At what point should a person no longer remain in his home and move into a care facility? There is no general answer to this major life transition, but rather must be decided on a case by case basis. In many cases, there is no need to make such a move. The Village ensures that members have access to people who can provide guidance on this. Q3: How many members does Lincoln Park Village need to sustain itself? Experience from other villages already indicates we will rely both on membership fees and fund raising to sustain our organization. For example, the Boston Beacon Hill Village shows membership (approximately 450 currently) accounts for approximately one-half of its annual budget. Our Strategic Plan is providing us with guidance on all aspects of the Village's development. Q4: Does the Village communicate to and coordinate care with an out of state family? Village services include elder care consultation with members' relatives who live anywhere outside zip code 60614. Q5: Are members expected to provide services to one another, and what kinds of volunteers does the Village like to have? There is no requirement to be a volunteer, but the experience of other villages is that this is one of the most important aspects of village membership. Volunteer interests, resources, and mutual assistance are encouraged. Q6: Are background checks done for staff/volunteers coming into our homes? And how do you insure safety of volunteers as it relates to working with the people? Quality and safety are priorities for all services provided or recommended by the Village. Background checks are a given. Also, security is enhanced because many of the services are provided by staff, volunteers, and vendors who live in our community and are known to many of us. Service guidelines indicate clearly which requests are to be filled by a volunteer and which by a professional provider. Confidentiality is a priority and a requirement. Q7: Do you publish a directory of services? The Village is not publishing a directory, but rather maintains a full list of vetted service providers that are available to members when they call. Q8: What if I have a problem not serious enough to call 911â??will there be someone in the Village office to call? Yes, call the Village. However, keep in mind that round-the-clock response is not offered at this time. Villages around the country are studying ways to resolve members' requests for 24-hour service; a few are instituting trial response plans. We are watching the results closely. Q9: What recourse do I have if I am dissatisfied with a Village service? Your recourse is to complain loudly, and we will listen fully. Our goal is quality service, which means we are putting in place a system of service delivery and follow-up that reduces dissatisfaction, but responds quickly and directly when there is a problem. Q10: Have you compared the Beacon Hill model with any other models? We have actively followed the development of similar kinds of aging-in-place organizations around the country and will continue to do so. We owe a great deal to the Beacon Hill model but are not, necessarily, following that pattern in all particulars. Q11: Will you collaborate with local community associations and institutions for activities and communication? This collaboration already is well underway (for example, community groups offer important assistance getting the word out about Village activities). We hope that together we can strengthen and build our community. Q12: Do you envision having bricks and mortar-like a community center? Not at this time. We currently occupy office space at 2502 N. Clark St., made possible through the generosity of a Village friend. Future opportunities might change that, of course.
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