The Senior Support Network

Aging can be a challenging period of life, both for seniors and their caregivers. “It takes a village” is a phrase usually referring to raising children, but it also applies perfectly to navigating senior life. Fortunately, technology, advocacy and awareness, and an abundance of resources have made it easier than ever for seniors to surround themselves with the crucial support networks needed to navigate this period of life.

Caregiver and Emergency Support Network

The American Red Cross, along with various other federal, state, and local agencies, recommends that all seniors establish an emergency support network compromising caregivers and other trusted individuals to turn to in a time of need. A minimum of three support individuals should be determined at each place where you spend time, such as home or church.

You should have a mutual relationship with your support network. You can exchange contact information, important keys, emergency plans and documents, notify one another when leaving town, and agree to check on one another after a disaster.

An emergency support network isn’t just reserved for caregivers and support figures – it’s also for identifying trusted physicians, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare workers involved in your care team. It’s important to identify those you feel comfortable with, and ensure a professional is assigned for every specialty you need care for.

Home Delivery and Services Network

Home delivery is a huge industry, and households across America regularly use delivery services to make their lives easier. For seniors, delivery can be an essential part of their lives if mobility challenges make traveling too difficult or impossible.

These days, retailers themselves offer delivery services, and various third-party services also deliver restaurant meals, groceries, meal kits, or fully-cooked meals. Various subscription services are also available to ship everything from household necessities to grooming kits. If you regularly use one main delivery service, you should also find a back-up to deliver what you need in case of interruption.

It’s also a good idea to establish a network of home-service professionals. This network may consist of handyman services, pest control, landscaping and more. These services are beneficial for seniors who aspire to age in place – in their own homes – but who may not be able to perform the home maintenance tasks required to keep up the home. Home construction services may also perform helpful remodeling projects to make your home safer.

Friends and Family Network

Staying connected with friends and family is now easier than ever thanks to technology designed for that purpose. Medical alert systems incorporate a two-way calling feature on home-based systems or wearable devices, allowing seniors to contact those deemed important contacts. These contacts are also notified in the event of an emergency.

Numerous cell phone applications are also designed specifically for seniors to stay connected to loved ones and caregivers, allowing them to hold group chats, to plan schedules around appointments, and to create reminders for important events or tasks. This form of networking is especially beneficial to those with communication-related disabilities. Using communication technology to stay in touch with friends and family reduces feelings of social isolation, and improves social support and connectedness.

Community/Village Network

Growing your own network within your community is another way you can take charge. Seniors building their own customized networks help themselves to retain their independence, to remain in their homes if they wish, and to choose their own designs and initiatives for supporting each other in the network. Meetings among seniors improves social support, especially when seeking advice or help.

Using an online platform such as the Village to Village Network may require a small membership fee to help fund services that are provided to members, such as transportation to errands and appointments, home visits, or other services. A community network built on such a platform also helps connect seniors in need to critical support resources. This support network is intended to help maintain dignity and quality of life.

Some of these community networks may transform into a non-profit group or join under the umbrella of an existing one. This is the basis for the new “village networks” which can join a broader effort and even connect with other village networks in other communities. Village networks hold joint events with other villages, coordinate access to services, provide volunteer services and more to support the community’s needs. A nonprofit village network may also take in contributions to provide a larger range of services to members, or even some financial support to members in need.

Aging does not have to be a lonely or isolated period of life. Building and maintaining networks as a senior has many benefits. Networks aren’t only about getting the help you need when you need it, but they’re also about helping others if you can. This is a great way to maintain independence and dignity for oneself and to help others do the same.