U. professor discusses recent report about aging in Villages

A report titled "Leveraging Community Strengths for Healthy Aging through Villages and Social Work" was recently featured in the specialty practice section of the National Association of Social Workers newsletter. Emily Greenfield, a professor in the School of Social Work and director of the Hub for Aging Collaboration, was one of the authors of the report.

Greenfield told The Daily Targum that in her field of gerontology, the study of aging and people's life courses, people are working to improve nursing homes, end the shortage of home care providers, support family caregivers and find cures for diseases like Alzheimer's. But, she said that there is a lack of focus on the communities in which people are aging.

This gap can be solved with Villages, which are grassroots, community-driven organizations that help older adults age within their communities. The first Village, Beacon Hill Village in Boston, was founded in 2002. It was created in response to older residents wanting to remain in their neighborhood while having access to certain resources.

Today, there are approximately 300 established Villages in the U.S., and 50 more are in development.

"Villages are super efficient ... they don't cost as much as operating through a health care system or trying to find a nursing aide," Greenfield said.

Despite their growth, Greenfield said the main challenge Villages face is a need for more policy structure. In New Jersey, some local communities have allocated resources to support Villages, but there has yet to be a statewide initiative.

Greenfield and her team are academic partners for the state's plan for the future of aging. Villages charge membership fees, and members can receive scholarships and subsidies if they need help affording the payment. These currently rely on private donations, but Greenfield said she wants public officials to see the benefit of investing in Villages.

Faith-based organizations may already fulfill some of the functions of Villages in marginalized communities.

"What makes Villages different from churches or libraries is that they are really centered on aging. There's value in having this work being done that is rooted in the concept of growing old and having a long life in the community," Greenfield said.

Oftentimes, Villages are led by social workers because they already possess skills in establishing relationships, board development, fundraising and volunteer management.

Greenfield said she enjoyed writing this report to social workers because she hopes it will make those working with Villages feel acknowledged and encourage other social workers to get involved with the movement.

She added that she wants the Rutgers community to know that the Hub for Aging Collaboration and the School of Social Work are working with grassroots leaders and private nonprofits to raise attention about aging on a state policy level.

"Our state university is trying to work in careful partnership across research, teaching, training and service to make the Garden State better for all of our long lives," she said.