Appendix I

Caring Community Handbook

Updated May 2010

Caring Community Builders invite community members to take charge of their lives by coming together regularly and building upon the care that already exists. 

Caring Community Builders develop sustainable infrastructures in their communities, such as Resident Quality of Life Councils and Dining Site Councils.  The purpose of these infrastructures is to enable the members of a community to formally and informally match their needs with the offers of both individuals and organizations. 

The ultimate goal of a Caring Community Builder is to create an environment where people can live out their lives in a place of their own choosing; whether that is in private homes or congregate living settings.  This happens when individuals within a community form associations to help each other as needs arise.   

Common Elements of a Caring Community Infrastructure

Although Caring Communities vary, common elements are often shared.  The following are examples of infrastructure essentials:

• Regular meetings focused on the specific needs and offers brought forward
• Minutes documenting the matches made and issues/strategies discussed at each meeting
• Resident input, direction & control of services  including formal services (such as care advisement and home care services) and informal services (such as those provided by residents themselves; i.e. transportation)
• Coordination and collaboration with property owners (Housing Authorities, private developers, etc.) to gain support in the development of community infrastructures

Caring Community Builders develop sustainable infrastructures by:

• Organizing open discussions (interviews, surveys, group meetings, etc.) where elders, their families and caregivers will feel free to communicate what they want and what they have to offer.
• Identifying the offers of individuals and/or organizations and matching these with the community needs.
• Tracking the matching of needs and offers through the use of a Log Book or other method to be kept at each meeting site.

Highland Valley provides ongoing assistance and guidance to Caring Community Builders during the development of Caring Community Infrastructures.  Such guidance includes:

• consultation with Associate Directors of Community Development and Home Care and Caring Community Build Manager during the development and implementation stages
• outreach, marketing and collaboration tools to promote any community development work
• the delivery of Home Care Resources to aid in the matching of needs brought forth by elders and their families within any Caring Community

Examples

The residents of East Mountain View and Washington House in Westfield and most recently the residents of Nash Hill Place in Williamsburg heeded the invitation to become Caring Communities by forming Resident Quality of Life Councils.  Through these Councils, the residents have taken charge of such things as:

• the daily lunch program
• regular office hours to answer the questions and concerns of fellow residents
• resident trips to such places as the New York State Museum, Salem, MA, Springfield Symphony Orchestra and the New England Aquarium
• monthly meetings to discuss issues, plan events and answer to any needs within the community
• Fulfill needs such as transportation and companionship

• A common need for many elders is transportation.  Recently, a very active woman lost the use of her license at East Mountain View.  Understandably, this was very devastating to her because it was now a challenge to continue the daily activities she had come to enjoy, such as going to her weekly hair appointment.  With her permission, this issue was brought to the monthly Resident Quality of Life Council meeting where several residents immediately volunteered to help with transportation.  The elder was very appreciative because she could now continue doing the things that were important to her.  Without the Resident Quality of Life Council, it would have been difficult to organize transportation for this individual so quickly.
• Not long ago, two individuals moved into Washington House and it was realized by fellow residents that the new tenants did not have any furniture for their apartment.  The residents came together and pulled their various resources to provide their new neighbors with essentials including a dining room table and a variety of dishes.  It was because Washington House is organized as a resident body that the needs of these two individuals were recognized and plans were made to help them quickly. 
• In 2008, the Easthampton Council on Aging began working with the residents in five local housing complexes to organize Caring Community Councils.  During 2009, they expanded their efforts and began holding monthly meetings and office hours at each facility.   The project has had much success.  A log is kept at the Council on Aging tracking the number of needs met through this effort.  In addition, a regular walking and exercise group has begun at one of the buildings; weekly Bingo games have been established; trips have been planned; movie nights have been organized; and the residents have created a forum where needs and issues are addressed.