Growing Up, Growing Old, Growing Together
In 2013, the Lyme Foundation Forum on the Future of Lyme involved over 100 Lyme residents in identifying needs and opportunities to make
our town an even better place to live. Aging in Place emerged as the top opportunity.
Later that year, 225 Lyme residents, aged 21 to 97, provided feedback through a survey conducted by the new Lyme Aging in Place Committee. The results* were telling and instructive.
- More than half of respondents (120) said that living in their Lyme home as long as possible was a top priority.
- Over 90% anticipated needing help with health care coordination, transportation, food and meals, and household services at some point in the future.
- 75% of respondents indicated they found a formal Aging in Place program appealing.
- Over 90% support including non-“aging” individuals in the program.
- Maybe most interesting – the top two current needs listed by Lyme residents were a central source of information and opportunities to volunteer.
Clearly, Lyme residents appreciate their community. We hope to live here, in our homes as long as possible, and many are ready and willing to participate in building a community that supports all residents, no matter what their means or age. In fact, we prefer to embrace community members of all ages and not focus purely on those who consider themselves to be “aging”.
That feedback and the real-world, innovative “Village” concept of coordinated, volunteer-first, compassionate programs and services, informed the creation of CommunityCare of Lyme.
Now a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization with a small core staff and volunteer leadership team, CommunityCare of Lyme (CCL) is dedicated to helping all Lyme neighbors live the healthy and comfortable lives they choose, “aging in place” if that is their goal. We work to address unmet needs for community members of all ages, serving those who may need help, as well as those seeking ways to share time, talent, and love. CCL links individuals and families with trusted information, programs, services, and friends. We extend and promote the many existing resources in Lyme.
*If you would like to learn more about the survey results, please contact us.
I relocated to Lyme from Washington D.C. in 2015 with my husband and (now) three year old daughter. The sense of community in Lyme was one of many attractive features that led us to enthusiastically buy a home here. We’re excited to be a part of a great town! Joining the CCL board has given me the chance to connect with my neighbors across ages and “circles” and an opportunity to become an integral part of the community that I hope to participate in for many years to come.
